The Washington times., 1922-12-22
pyright, 1898, By The WI
Syndicate, Inc.
(Continued from Yesterday

EN- VOICE OfOke, anu oho
dared not look at him for
AA feat that the tears would
overflow.
The Fortune Hunter stood with
his hands gripped behind him. and
the veins stood out like cords on
his forehead as he tried to answer
her. Garry Cannen's words came
back to him urgently.
Tell her the truth, man--tell
her the truth, and II she cares Q
hang about |! :"
He looked down at her. his face
twitching. Would she forgive him?
0he looked so sweet and desirable.
How could she take such a vaga-
bond as he was to her heart. and
ever believe in him again?
A liar and an imposter! That
was what he was! Whilst she, who
loved truth -
II have never told you a lie
never once deceiyed you" She had
said that to him just now; how.
then. could he confess to the many
lies he had told her-the many
times he had deliberately deceived
her?
He broke out desperately.
IF you'd only try to trust me.
God knows I love you'd give
my life for you -"
Then it's no good-we must
sither-go on as we are-or say
goodbye. It's for you to choose,
John-it's for you to say. But 1
thought-after all that had hap
pened -" She could not finish.
She went back to her seat on the
couch. and closed her eyes wearily.
Her head ached-her whole body
seemed to ache; she had made her
appeal, she had sunk her pride
and held out her hand to him. and
It had all been useless.
The Fortune Hunter stood look
ing down at her for a moment,
torn with despair. He longed to
tell her the truth, to bare his un-
happy heart, and yet-the dread
Of losing her, of seeing her love.
turn to scorn, held him back like
. grip OF iron.
He went down on his knees be-
side her, encircling her with his
arms.
Don't throw me over-don't
send me away-I've had nothing in
my life but your love-don't send
me away, Anne-don't send me
away"
He was like child crying in the
darkness; for the moment he was
quite unnamed. but though her
face quivered as II with intolerable
pain, she would not look at him or
even touch him, though she. said:
1--WE offered you everythins-I
want to give you everything! But
you don't love me well enough to
trust me-"
II love you. and II you love me,
what does the rest matter?" he
said, recklessly. kiss me. Anne,
and love me-oh, my dear. It's an
eternity since I held you in my
arms -"
She shrank away from him,
warding him off with trembling
hands.
"I will never kiss you again until
you love me enough to tell me
everything" she said. and break
ing into bitter sobbing, she started
up and ran from the room.
THE NOTE.
The Fortune Hunter stood where
she had left him. too wretched to
think or move. The world had
gone awry, but the fault was his,
and he must get out of his trouble
in the best way he could.
But 1t set him trembling like q
Riri when he found a note on his
Dressing table that night, address
cd in Anne's writing, and for q
long time he stood looking at 1t.
afraid to open 1t and read.
why had she written? Was 1t q
real dismissal this time? His hand
shook when at last he unfolded 1t.
Dear John: I am just writing
20 ask you II you will please let
things go on for little while long
er as they are, and to say that II
will be kind II you will help me let
people think that nothing is wrong
between us. This evening uncle
saw me crying, and he asked what
was the matter. He was angry
and blamed you; he said he could
not bear that! So, please. nd mat
ter how you really feel toward me,
II you could let everyone think 1t
IL all right for little while longer
n will help me a great DEAL
Anne"
The Fortune Hunter dropped
the poor little note and hid hts
face in his hands. "No matter
how you feel towards me. :"
Had he then, acted SO well that