The Washington times., 1922-12-16

He forgot that Anne. was watch
ing him az he sat there. his
breakfast untouched. staring be.
fore him with strained eyes.
Thirty thousand pounds? 1t was
impossible. How could he do
this thing?
Good news, John?" Anne asked
with an effort. and herr lips trem-
blsd in spite Of her efforts to
keep them steady.
The Fortune Hunter turned
with a start. crushing the letter
into his pocket.
A business letter, that's all;
nothing very interesting.
He tried to turn the conyersa-
ton. What are we to do to.
day? I thought there was to be
some wonderful program3 It's
going to be splendidiy fine, too"
She knew 1t was q deliberate
attempt to change the subject.
and for q moment she could not
trust herself to speak.
ANOTHER MISTAKE.
Why had she ever gone dovn
to him last nightr No doubt he
had taken her kisses and fond
words with covert smile. She
had no faith left in him-he was
not worth loving 10 the
Wild thoughts crowded over one
another in her mind. until SUD.
denly she met his eyes. and felt
ashamed. -;
'6hail We 20 for . long walk!
I haven't shown yous half the
places round here yet--but for
got! You're not q good walker"
The Fortune, Hunter laughed.
"Not . good wslker7 Why,
I've spent. half my life tramping
the world. -" He checked
himself hurrisdly. conscious OF a
subtle change in her face.
IT thought-aftsr you hurt
your leg" she said uncertainty.
There was q poignant silence.
which Mr.. Harding broke by push
ing back his chair and rising.
"You'Il excuse me. my dear. I've
letters to write" He hustled out
Of the room and the Fortune
Hunter arose ana went to stand
behind Anne's chair. his hands on
her shoulders.
'It II I who feel now that have
lost you again-since last night"
he said hearsely.
She sat quite still, her head a
little downbent. her hands clasped
in her lap: then suddenly she broke
out in passionate despair.
"Oh, I'm 3saisus-jealous: it's
just rs II you shut me out Of your
life-as II were q child. only to
be kissed and petted. but never
told snything. ~ thought It was
going to be 30 different. I
thought after ell I had suffered
the years I waited for you. :"
"Anns. for Gods sake"
She half turned in her chair. and
looked UP ct him. and for . mo-
ment she was shocked into silence
by the suffering in his face: then
she stretched out her hand and
laid IL on his arm.
John. oh, John ). what 10 TT"
BRIDGE or KISSES FALLS.
Tho Fortune Hunter thrust a
hand into his coat pocket and
took out the crumplsd letter.
III you're hurt because didn't
show you this--read II! suppose
you thought It was from q woman.
I suppose yeu thought I was lying
TO you and decelvins you asain--"
The hard bitterness Of hiS voice
sesdsd her beyond endurencs. she
pushed the letter away.
~ don't want to read II; don't
care II It 10 from, q woman. You
lied 70 me once-about that photo
graph-you've never tried to en-.
plain or tell me who she was. :.
Oh I wish--I wish you'd never
came backr'
She wardsd him off With tremb-
ling hands when he would have
! touches hsr--she ran past him and
out Of the room.
So the bridge Of kisses had fall.
On. as the Fortune Hunter had
known It was bound to fall. What
was the uSe Of soing on struggling
to make some sort OF happintss,
when the only foundation on which
he could build It was q lie?
He took his hat and went down
into the village. wandering on rest.
lsssiy through the STRUGGLING
street, uncenscious Of his sur
reundings.
It wIs only when he was cross
ing the bridge where he had stood
in the rain that wet afternoon with
Anne that he saw Fernie coming
towards him. The FORTUNE Hunt
er's face hardened; he had not
seen this man since the meet