The Washington times., 1922-12-04
Copyright, 1899. by
The Wheeler Syndicate, Inc.

IL with your" he con-
unued.
''Once I was here. and he saw
me and landed. was angry,
and he never came again."
He looked down at her with
moody eyes.
There was a dull jealousy ris-
ing in his heart-jealousy of all
that he did not know about this
girl. and perhaps never could
know.
Twenty-four hours ago-less-he
had never seen this girl, nor
heard her name, and now, for
her sake he was prepared to
gamble with everything that life
held for them both.
isn't 1t lunch timer" she asked,
suddenly. do you know I'm
hungry? think it's because I'm
10 happy"
"And you're happy because I'm
here? he asked, quickly.
She nodded. and moving away
from him led the way back to the
punt.
"And it's not only this one
morning we've got," she said, sud
her to her seat among the cush.
ions. Its every morning Of our
lives, isn't it?"
The Fortune Hunter could not
answer. He drew her into his
arms and held her fast.
"You'n never stop loving me.
Promise! Promise!" he said. al
most wildly. Then he laughed,
kissed her and let her go. 'I think
happiness has gone to my head"
he said. shakily. He hardly spoke
as they went home.
Tommy waited for them at the
end of the garden. He waved
something at the Fortune Hunter
as they drew near the lawn.
Keys! / wasn't going to be
done. so / got old Fernie to lend
me his. He's got punches and
punches of keys, and one of them
opened your big box"
There was a moment Of silence,
then, to Anne's amazement. the
Fortune Hunter took a quick step
forward, snatching the bunch Of
keys from Tommy's hand.
CHAPTER TX.
A FLASH OF TEMPER.
"How dare you interfere with
anything of miner" he said saw
agely; his face was distorted with
passion. "If I want the boxes
open, I am quite capable of doing
It for myself" Then he broke off,
catching his breath hard. IT beg
your pardon" he stammered; he
looked at Anne. II lost my tenn
per: what did say? Tommy. it's
all right. I :"
Tommy had turned abruptly and
was limping away up the garden;
nobody had ever spoken to him 20
angrily before; he had always been
spoilt and pampered and led to be-
lieve that everything he did was
right and justifiable. He was fu-
rious at the Fortune Hunters out
burst.
Anne had flushed In distress.
Tommy didn't mean any HARM"
she said quickly. IT know he
ought not to have touched any.
thing of yours. but am sure he
only did It to please you; he
thought you wanted the boxes
opened. Mr.. Fernie has dozens of
keys of all sorts-it's a queer
hobby Of his to collect keys-and
/ am sure Tommy only did it to
please you. John"
"I know" The Fortune Hunter
looked wretched and ashamed.
After a seconds hesitation he
broke into run, overlook the
boys haltins figure. and laid .
hand on his arm.
E. "I'm sorry, old chap; I'm a bear;
II was awfuliy decent Of you to
bother about me; thanks ever 90
much" Tommy shook his hand
off. ..
"Im sorry touched your beastly
boxes" he said fiercely. They're
no interest to me. II you've got
anything to hide, you might have
said so, and then we should have
known where we were."
His face was hard and peaked In
its anger; he turned abruptly away
without another word.
II you've got anything to hide!
The words hit the Fortune Hunter
hard; how he loathed the whole
beastly business, and his own
weakness which would not allow
him 20 break free from the .fet.
ters he had forged. .
Anne Joined him and they
walked hack to the house to.
gether. She was rather pale, and
shp kcpt her eyes averted.
.syo,,'ra angry with ma" fha