Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-18

no reply, and he went on. still in that
same careful sort Of voice, as IL he
were feeling his way: ....
eff there Is anything can do 70
help yoh-either of you'll hope you
will tell me. I want to see the girl
happy! / want that more than any
thing in the world. She's as dear to
me as IL she were my own daughter,
and IL her happiness lies with you
well, what is there to wait for? Why
not get married?"
The Fortune Hunter had been clean
ing the stem of his pipe with straw
he had picked up from the flower bed,
but he turned his head slowly now, and
for the first time looked at Mr.. Hard
| ing.
His mouth was set in hard line,
and there was n furrow of pain between
his handsome eyes.
'Get--married I" he echoed stifly.
Yes" Mr.. Harding laid a hand on
his shoulder. You're neither Of you
so young that you don't know your
own minds, and understood from Anne
before you came home that you would
be married almost Immediately.
He smiled family. "I think she
even went 80 far as to tell me should
not be consulted in the matter" He
paused and added slowly: "She Is
very fond Of you, John -
There was q tragic silence. and il
was only with a great effort that the
Fortune Hunter at last found his voice.
II will speak to Anne, sir--I will
speak to her this morning, and-and
Sec what she says.
His voice shook a little, but Mr..
Harding seemed not to notice.
That's right !" he said heartily. '"As
soon as everything Is comfortably set
tied for all of us the better. All! here
she comes. Well, I hope you'll have
a nice morning. The sunshine looks
as IL 1t means to last"
He waved his hand to his niece. who
was coming across the lawn, and turned
away, leaving the Fortune Hunter to
80 and meet her.
Her dark eyes saw the agitation of
his face Immediately. what has uncle
been saying?" she asked swiftly.
The Fortune Hunter laughed mlrth-
lessly.
'"Only what you expected him to sa
he asked when we were-were going
to be married."
He was not looking at her, or he
would have seen the burning flush that
rose TO her face.
"Well-what did you say?" she asked
slowly.
II said I would speak to you about
IT," he answered.
They walked few steps silently.
rs that-all?' she asked then.
AM" he passed hand across his
forehead. What else could | say
when things areas they are?"
The color faded from her checks ma
suddenly as 1t had arisen.
No. of course. What else could you
say?" she echoed.
She went little way ahead of him
and stepped into the punt that was
moored to post on the bank. Her
face wss little grave and set, and her
eyes carefully avoided his as he fol-
lowed.
I'm afraid it won't keep fine for
long," he said, stif1y. 1.-The clouds
are coming ups Which way shall we
think" '''
She answered vaguely; she pulled
some cushions beneath her head and
leaned back with closed eyes.
The Fortune Hunter had taken off
his coat and was standing up, rolling
back his sleeves.
He was a fine figure Of a man, nl-
houetted against the blue sky, his
bronzed, clean -shaven face. little
grave and unhappy, though he talked
away resolutely.
Foster called this morning. lust be =
fore you came down; he wanted to see
you"
She opened her eyes.
II was not told"
NO, offered to deliver a message.
but he seemed to object; he said he
would call again"
There was little silence, then she
said with cold laugh:
He knows that you hate him"
lie knows right, then--I do hate
him, and I rather fancy he returns the
compliment"
"Oh, no! He always speaks in the
kindest way Of you"
Really" The Fortune Hunters
eyes were cynical. Gwen when he
was making love to you ON the river the
other night?"
She flushed hotIy.
John! How can you say such a
thing" she protested. passionateIy.
Because I know it's true" he an
swered, quietly. He pushed tho punt
of into mid-stream. "Do you think
L m fool; that / can't see what's
under my very eyes? Foster is only
waiting his time to take my place"
Her face quivered
Il am afraid that would not be very
easy for him to do--even If he wished
1t and l wished it, too," she said.
why not? l thought it was the
simplest thing In the world for wo-
man to be off with the old love and on
win the new, he answered, dryly,
Her eyes darkened with. pain.
I'm our case?" she asked.
why not?" he asked reckIessIy.
She leaned back with little shiver.
IF you do not know. ] cannot tell
you she answered, painfully.
They went some little way without
speaking, only the soft laplap Of the
water against the side of the punt
breaking the silence.
Anne looked at the Fortune Hunter
and the pain at her heart deepened.
oh, what was wrong with them that
they could not be happy? Life might
have been so beautiful, but somehow
they had just missed the great joy they
might have known together.
That he was no happier than she,
she knew well enough. There were
lines III MS race thaC nad not been
there six weeks ago, when he first
came to Cherry Lodge: a hardness in
his eyes that looked as If 1t were vainly
endeavoring to hide tragedy.
There were times when she was sure
that he loved her; other times when she
believed that he cared nothing. The
handsome face of the girl whose photo
graph she had found on the stairs
haunted her Ccaseiessly. Was it she
who stood between them, and IL so,
why could he not trust her, and tell