Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-04

iJ' Knew ~ WOuiu De 1mp0sslDle 10
make YOU understand. / never mean to
just 60 on and let things put them.
selves right, and so l would have done,
1t hadn't been for something that
that happened today" she added
slowly.
lie turned quickly at that. "Some.
thing that happened today? You mean
this afternoon?" ..--
The Fortune Hunter felt rs IL an
icy hand had touched his heart; this
was the first roll of the drums, the
warning that the end was In sight.
He sought desperately for some clue.
What could have happened? What did
she mean3
Tell me what it wus," he said. at
She drew away from him there was
something very .orlorn and pathetic
about her at that moment, and the
Fortune Hunter felt rs II his heart
would break as he looked at her. ..
with all his love he could only bring
her unhapplness and suffering, and for
a. moment he was tempted to tell her
the whole truth then and there, and
stand by the consequences.
Surely it would be better than going
on from day to day, getting more deeply
implicated, and making it more impos-
sibie to escape with even shred OF
honor.
Then Tommy called from the draw
ing room window, and the moment was
gone. "Anne-Uncle Clem says it's too
cold for you out there"
Anne turned readily: she seemed glad
of the interruption. but the Fortune
Hunter caught her and held her for a
second.
1ou VIII answer my question She
struggled against him. "Not now,
on, please Let me go.
You VIII tell me toni ght."
very well. ] promise, when Mr..
roster mas gone.
Ihe Eortune Hunter released her.
Dainn roster J. ne SAID savagely.
They went back to the drawing room
pook or travels. and Mr.. Harding and
roster were talking in desultory fash:
ion; :,
line old man looked up npologeti-
ANY as his niece entered. My dear.
IN AFRAID It's too damp out in the
garden for you.
I'm not cold. uncle, but she shlv-
cred as she spoke.
The Fortune Hunter had strolled over
70 tne piano ne sat down on the stool.
idX turning the sheets of the song which
sun stood ON the rack
For there's no friend along the high
>, ways .a
For q vagabond like me"
With sudden impulse he began to
play the air, his hands running lightly
over the keys.
when you're jog, jog, joggin' along
,,,.., the white road
with your luck all upside down."
Tommy began to hum the song under
his breath, and Anne sat up with swift
attention. ~ never knew you could
play, JOHN she said sharply.
The Fortune Hunter broke of in the
middle OF chord and swung round,
hlS race nushing duly,
Dldn you! can strum o little, y
ne said hightly. Ut came In rather
useiul once or twice when ! was down
on my luck. vamped in saloon in
better came along" ,.",'
Frisco" Foster struck in quickly.
What year were YOU thereT
The Fortune Hunter shrugged his
shoulders; he got up from the piano,
were not quit, steady.
I've been there half dozen times, y
ne SAID careless!y:
Il was there in. the. spring. Of last
year, roster said quietly; his eyes
were hxed on the Fortune Hunter s
race with a vague sort OF bewilder-
ment. 49,,
:, heally don t like the place. the
fortune Hunter said casually; he
dow. and sat down beside Tommy.
After a moment Foster rose. "Well,
/ think Ill be getting along he said.
! Hs early yet Mr.. Harding OBJ.
,ected., what about game OF bridge?
You play, JohnE'
Ihe Fortune Hunter looked up, his
iace twitching nervously.
lie knew that he had walked into a
trap over the music, and he dreaded
that this apparently harmless question
might prove to be another:
lie was spared reply by Foster
himself. Thanks, not tonight, sir
must really be getting along"
re SAID good. night. and Mr.. Harding
The Fortune Hunter went over to
Anne at once.
NV, Now, then-what did you mean?
| what has happened today to make you
distrust meE
ehe would not answer. she tried to
evade the question. Tommy and uncle
VIII be back In a minute. Please let
me go-l M tlred--iI-
iiis lace hamed with sudden passion
II you thlnk you can say as much
as you have done. and then refuse to
explain you're mistaken. l can stand
great deal. but when 1t comes to your
telii9g tha,tt-that--cad , Foster"
h.o, Jonn Then quite suddenly she
n,oke pro s,1ni INTO storm OF tears, and escap'