The Washington times., 1922-12-28

him. but he did not care. Anne
had refused her forgiveness. md
nothing else mattered.
THE truth Is that this man
Is an impostor." Mr.. Harding
went on, less confidently. You
know what there Is to know,
Fernie. You helped me sift mat.
ters to the bottom. and I'm
grateful to you. He has cruelty
and deliberately deceived this
poor girl here. and-what is
worse, from the point Of view Of
the law at all events-he has
appropriated a dead mans
money without the smallest hope
or intention Of ever being able
to repay It,"
THAT is fe" said the Fortune
Hunter sharply. He was pale to
the lips. but his eyes flashed
as he met Mr.. Harding's That
is a lie he said again. Il have
not touched one penny Of John
Smiths money. All I have had
has been what you yourself gave
me-a cheque for two thousand
pounds and banknotes for twenty,
and those you practically forced
upon me, as a trap. suppose
though it never occurred to me
at the time.
THE games up. I know that,
and you can do what you please.
I've already promised not to run
away"
There was a bitter sneer in his
voice and for the first time
Fernie spoke.
There is one thing, Mr.. Hard
ing. Although you know that this
man is not John Smith, you
haven't yet discovered who he is
and where he came from"
Foster broke in impatiently.
Does that matter? L saw him a
year ago in Frisco. and I know
the type he is-the character he
tHtTt.
That's a lie. toor' he said
violently. II was not in San
Franciso last year. and until the
day you saw me outside the
Savoy I had never in my life set
eyes on the woman was with
the. I am afraid for once YOU
are pinning the sins Of a dead
man on my shoulders. However.
II 1t pleases you"
Anne gave a little stifled moan.
and he broke off. turned away
and biting his lip hard.
There's another thing Nd.
Fernie," old Fernie went on with
almost painful slowness. I'm
not so sure-and neither are you
that we are anxious for a
scandal in Somerton. It won't
do anyone any good to stir UP
all this mud in public. and It
wilr'-he glanced at Anne and
quickly away again-"it will make
1t worse for Miss Harding to
bear"
THE FEAR OF SCANDAL.
Mr.. Harding flushed angrily.
What's come to you. Fernie?"
he broke out. "It was YOU who
stirred all this up in the first
place. and now you're trying to
smooth matters over and hush
them up. You're trying to stop
a scandal when you've always
been the first to make them"
Old Fernie nodded. That's
true enough" he admitted. But
things are different this time"
"Ill be hanged IL they are"
Mr.. Harding answered violently.
"If you think I'm going to let
this man go scot-free. after the
way he's come into the house and
and made fools Of US all. you're
mistaken. He shall pay for his
little game, and pay dearly or my
names not Clement Harding.
who is he to come here, worm.
ing his way into my house, max.
ing love to my niece7" His face
was purple with rage.
There's something in what
Fernie says" Foster broke In.
I'VE don't want a scandal here
for all our sakes. Let the fellow
go and"
Mr.. Harding turned on him saw.
agely; he was infuriated by the
way in which he choose to con-
slider Fernie had let him down; ne
no longer had the least pity for
the Fortune Hunter.
Let him gor' he shouted. "A
fine thing! Let him gol And
who's to repay my money, I should
like to know-the money-the
money he stole from me-the--
Old Fernie took slow step for
ward. 'T WILL" he said quietly.