The Washington times., 1922-12-28
CONTINUED from Yesterday

fering, chatted away, showed them
round the garden, gathered some
flowers for them, and insisted on
walking part of the way down
the road with them when they
left.
Aren't they dears?" she ask
cd warmly when she and the
Fortune Hunter were walking
home alone. Don't you like
them. john"
mot today. could have
thrown both into the river with
pleasure today" he answered
moodily.
"John!" His hot eyes met hers
II could; this was my duty,
and they have spoiled it,"
Her eyes softened. IT ought
TO be angry with you for speak
ing about my friends like that"
she said. But when you put 1t
30 nicely-well, perhaps I could
have thrown them into the river,
too"
1t was half past 6 when they
got back to the house. More
than two hours those people have
wasted" the Fortune Hunter said
angrily, why couldn't they see
they were not wanted?"
Anne slipped a hand into his.
"Never mind, dear; anyone would
think today was the last day in
all the world. We've got tomor-
row, and all the tomorrows."
He made no reply. and she
went on coaxingly: "I'n run up
and change for dinner now.
suppose l must make myself look
smart. as Geoffry is coming"
She made a little grimace at his
set face. But I'll be ever so
quick, and then, IL you're quick.
too, we can have the drawing.
room to ourselves for half an
hour before anyone else comes
down."
She ran away from him and
upstairs, but the Fortune Hunter
made no attempt to go to his
room.
He had no intention of chang
ing his clothes for Foster or any
other man. When Anne came
down. flushed with the hurry
she had made. she found him sit
ting on the arm OF his big couch
in the drawingroom, an un-
lighted cigar between his lips.
his moody eyes fixed on the
floor.
COME AWAY-TONIGHT?
"why-John"' she said in sur
prise, then stopped. as the For
tune Hunter rose to his feet.
There was a strange expression
in his eyes and his face was quite
colorless. He drew her into the
room and shut the door; he kept
his arms around her, and when
ne spoke his voice was broken up
with uncomfortable emotion.
you say you love me, Anne.
How we'll do you love me? Well
enough to come away with me
now-tonight? To trust yourself
to me for the rest Of our lives?
You've been happy today. !
swear to YOU that you shall be
happy with me always. I'll give
nv life for you! I'll work for
YOU. Come away with me, my
beloved-I can't give you up! I
can't"
She had listened at first with
downcast eyes and flushing
cheeks, but as his voice rose in
passionate intensity and she could
feel his arms trembling as they
held her, she looked up bewil-
dered and half frightened.
But. John, you haven't got TO
rive me up. love you, I'll
never STOP ioNih6 Sou 'h'
broke off breathlessly, for he
seemed not to have heard; for the
moment he was almost mad with
bis great fear Of losing her, He
went on pleading brokenly.
.If we go tonight no one can
ever separate us again. We can
he married tomorrow, and I'll
take you away. I'll show you the
world. Marry me, ANIME, be my
wife-oh. my darling"
She fell back far from him as
his encircling arms would permit;
her brown eyes dilated with fear
and a slowly growing suspicion.
For a moment she stared at him.
her breath coming in painful
rasps; then with a sudden eff.
fort she freed herself, and put
out her hand to ward him off.
Marry you" She echoed his
words in hoarse, incredulous
whisper Marry you! But
but we are married.
The Fortune Hunter stood like
4.