Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-12
THE FORTUNE HUNTER
RUBY M. AYRES
thor of "The Bachelor Husband "The Untuonfsd etc.
Copyright By Wheeler Syndicate. IAo ~

you again"
But even as she spoke, against her
will, she thought Of the letter Tommy
had put into her hands, and a little
tremble shook her.
The Fortune Hunter glanced down in
swift concern. You're not cold?"
head. ''some one walked over my
He frowned, but made no answer,
and they walked on silently, but the new
quiet happiness with which she had
awakened that morning was already
shadowed by the unwilling memory Of
that other girl.
She turned desperately to her old ex
cuse--there was some explanation; no
man could so deliberately deceive the
woman who loved him She would 60
on trusting him, no matter what hap
pened, and some day perhaps would
come right. '...,
But when she spoke again the life
seemed to have gone out of her voice.
We ought to turn--it must be break
The Fortune Hunter glanced swiftly
down at her grave face. '.
Last night she had said that every
thing was all right--she had said the
same thing again this morning, but the
Fortune Hunter knew she was only de-.
'ceiving herself, and that nothing could
ever be right for either of them again.
Mr. Harding was already at the
breakfast table when Anne and the For
tune Hunter entered the room. He
looked up from some papers he was
reading with rather a preoccupied smile.
Morning, my dear-morning, John
there's a letter for you"
For mel" The Fortune Hunter
caught the letter up sharply, his face
nushing. There was only one person
who was In the least likely to write to
him., he knew, and that was Irenie
Claver. He supposed ii was an ac-
knowledgment Of his cheque, but the
writing on the envelope was not hers.
He laid 1t down beside his plate, face
downward. and took his seat.
Read Il IL you care to. John
Anne said lightly. Were not at all
formal here, are we. uncle?''
There's no hurry; it will wait--it's s
only a business letter.
The Fortune Hunter answered hur-
riedly; he felt confused. without know
ing why. Anne flushed family.
Oh. well II it's only n business let
ter, Sne Snld quietly.
Jealousy was waking again in her
heart-this letter was from woman, /,
she was sure, else why could not John
read 1t in the ordinary way, instead
OF looking so embarrassed?
Tommy late this. morning?" tn,
Fortune Hunter asked with an effort
lie knew quite well what Anne wat
thinking, and realized that he had made
another blunder by not Immediately
opening the lettor and reading its con
tents.
Tommy nearly always is late" Mr.
we have spoiled him., my dear"
The Fortune Hunter glanced quickl,
at Anne and saw the set folds Of hel
pretty mouth and the flush on hel
cheeks, and he realized with despair
that the bridge of kisses they had bull
last night was already tottering to {
fall.
He took up the letter lying beside hi
plate and slit open the envelope reck
lessly.
It's contents were brief and type
written, and sent from the head ofic,
Of London bank:
Dear Sir-We have today receive,
draft from the Bank of Australia
Sydney, placing to your credit til,
SUN ol oo'ooo PUuhIs WIN ane eques
Cherry Lodge, Somerton- on Thames
We await your instructions on the mat
ter. Assuring you Of our best atten
tion. we are--Yours faithfully I"
The Fortune Hunter sat like maj
turned to stone; he was nailed to hi
,ies how ~ az an ,on ~s tSn notbwou o w 90 Ja.
;. .ne iFs' s'ep a'o"s '"e pu'""a' u VIZ
'elt.
He forgot that Anne was watching
him as he sat there; his breakfast un'
touched, staring before him WIFI
strained eyes.
Thirty thousand pounds? 1t was i'm.
possible! How could he do this thing
Good news, John?" Anne asked
with an effort. and her lips trembled
in spite of her efforts to keep them
steady.
The Fortune Hunter turned with u
start, crushing the letter into his
pocket.
"A business letter, that's all, moth
ing very interesting"
what arc we 10 do today? !
thought there was to be some wonder
ful program? It's going to be splen-
d'dly fine, too"
She knew II was deliberate attempt
to change the subject, and for q mo
mpnt she could not trust herself to
speak.
Why had she ever gone down to him
last night? No doubt he had taken her
kisses and fond words with a covert
smile. She had no faith left in him
he was not worth loving SO
the wild thoughts crowded over one an
other in her mind until suddenly she
met his eyes and felt ashamed.
SShall we 90 for a long walkP