Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-21


no SOME one had spotted him. Who
Swas II? Fernie? He seemed to bt
"A, most likely.
! Mr.. Harding came into the room
O'"H ""Hu,lo. John! Where have you been
II day? l don't think I've seen you
At all ,o, , a..
rortune Hunter reminded him. "And
,bis afternoon we went up to Long
ma TO fetch the punt. We had to
leave II there this morning as 1t was
% wet =,
For the first time he found himself
,ookinr at Mr.. Harding with suspicion.
I'D he know. too? The thought made
his nerves tingle, though there was not
the least fear In his heart.
They went in to dinner together, APP
n.rently the best of friends. Anne
wa already seated at the table. and
Tommy. and the Fortune Hunter looked
around him with wistful eyes ns be
took his own seat.
Supposine this was the last time he
ever sat at this table Supposing tomor
row saw him back on the road-a
homeless OutcaSL!
A wave OF overpowering emotion
seemed to catch him by the throat as
he looked at, Anne Why had he not
been better to her while he had had
the opportunity?
He knew that she had shed many
tears because of him, and yet-what
| else could he have done? The Whole
situation had been unnatural and i'm
possible. much as he loved her; but as
he watched her now across the table,
! be felt that he would have given his
soul to have known that he had at least
made her happy.
II still have one ring Of yours that
have never dared to wear
What had she meant by that?
You're very quiet, John Mr..
Harding said. I'm fact, none of us
seem particularly cheerful tonight"
IT'S the weather." Tommy said.
IT'S been enough to make any one
tommit suicide today"
Anne rose from the table. "We'll
hare coffee In the drawing room, shall
we,r
She looked up at the Fortune Hunt
Or as he held the door open for her.
and the expression Of his eyes went
straight to her heart. making her catch
Der breath with a little sob OF fear as
she went on across the hall.
But when presently he joined her
ne talked away on ordinary subjects.
And she wondered II, perhaps. it had
been her imagination that in that one
look he had told her all the many things
'he had go longed to hear him say
since he came home.
Once or twice he went to the win.
dow and looked out into the dark GAR
aen, and she saw the nervous twitch
ing Of bis face and the restless way he
kept wandering about the room.
maid came to the door anu smoke
to Mr., Harding.
u, Please, sir, Mr.. Foster to see YOU.
e Is In the study. He said he wished
70 see you alone for a moment"
Iredly at Anne.
| EAcuse me, my Gcar-I shall not &c
. moment. Now what In the " orld cnn
the door. 'h'''a "'
And please. miss" she said 10
anne anne, "could cook speak to you for II
Anne put down her coffee cup. Ger
"iniy. ! will come now."
cne went out Of the room. aud
leommy looked maliciously across at the
ortune Hunter. Hasn't any one
talled to see either of u.s." hct asked
vltn sarcasm. The Fortune Hunter
mace no answer. This was the oppor-
l,uniy he had wanted he went into the
IpaI, TOOK his hat and cont from tho
door. Wv VI '"' ''o"'
ne could hear voices from the study
ss ne passed, but he hardly noticed
mem; he went quickly up the village
Iand across the bridge till he saw q light
Cottage. " VI ''"s i'"'
ne slackeged his speed little then
ana drew Tong breath.
Inc last throw Of the dice He had
rome to Fernie to put his trump care
M Tue table, and IL that failed = 1"
lug shrugged his shoulders and walked
Up 70 the cottage door.
mere was sound of n chair being
A'eraped back inside and heavy feet
snunlng across the floor then the door
llamplight.
ihete was moments silence, and
IVY oid mans face changed a little ard
Ps he said: W. : - "N'
Do you know. Mr.. Smith, I thought
v%snow N N,a that you'd be coming to call
i9q thought right. then," the For.
4Se nunter said calmly. II suppose
~ L.
fernie shrugged his shoulders and
Ss Ssnsa back into the kitchen, leaving
ne door open.
me Fortune Hunter walked in. put
ant down on chair and shut the
onr behind him.
,nere was moment of profound ST.
1re' Fernie carefully refilled his pipe,
Win paper spill from the man
sneit and looked round at the
'ue,nser e,Wsr man. an evil smile in his eyes.
"eii' and now you've come. what
IN M you got to say?" he asked.
ha .Se fortune Hunter was standing by
IL nare, MS hands in his coat pockets,
rsce little strained.
sirst OF all I've come to ask what
ujsusyo you We got against me-" he said
kk.n "iuhellt fernie looked rather
~1SH s'Vr aoack, then he laughed.
A. Wel: now, that's a tall question,
donS smith, he said, "and one that
"T "Th see that m bound to answer" "
on : ny hrst night came to Somer-
ersrde me fortune Hunter went on, dis
eerhomnsS MIN, II Went into that inn
Ilaso or whaever it Is down b.
lndI"rd ana ! heard You talking to the
sn. scsn.n iou knew nothing about nc,
sssept what you'd heard from a Iot 81
bina gossip, but you'd made up YOUR
os aug even then to ruin me - r. was
'ssns,ole to do 1t. -
"a man anow the type Of man you arc
tbsr man with nothing to do but mind
stu,o AIM peoples business; a man with n
fry nasty, suspicious mind; and
ic diSi,,i thought that accounted for
Lthe you'd taken to mo Nav