Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-31
Another
Ruby Ayres Serial
Admirers Of this popular
,oriter Of love stories toW
find one Of her choicest in
"A Mans Way"
Begins tomorrow on this page.


him against his will.
His face was drawn and haggard all
its gay carelessness had gone, and he
looked years older and sadder, she
thought broken -heartedly, as she lifted
her. arms and put them around his
neck.
II said IL you left me I should follow
you to the end of the world" she said,
and her voice was quite steady now, her
eyes met his unfalteringly. II love
you; there is no happiness for me
without you"
lie laid his hands on her wrists,
trying to uncIasp the arms that held
him.
ITS impossible--think what they
VIII all say-what the world will say
Think what / am-what I've been.
Let me go--let me go!"
! y" II you can say truthfully that you
don t want mc--that you don't love me
.-- 49,, She began, then her voice broke.
| Oh. my dear, do you think I care
| What any one says? I've thought of it
aII' ana 1t means nothing to me-noth
ing! i can forgive the past. it's moth
ing any more, because ! love YOU"
I've nothing to offer you; it's i'm
possible. I"
DO you love me?'
lie tried not to meet her eyes, but
they seemed to draw him against his
VIII he tried desperately TO deny her
even then.
Love isn't everything-if I"
Then suddenly he broke down his head
fell forward till it rested on her shouI-
der. and she turned her face and kissed
his hair.
For long time neither of them
spoke, then the Fortune Hunter said
hoarscly 4: Anne, you must go home
YOU shouldn't have come-if any one
saw you follow me-"
They did scc--uncle and your faith
or. She spoke calmly. she even smiled
into his troubled face. What can they
say? ] am not n child. and | have
chosen for myself; have chosen you
Wherever you go | shall go with you.
lou tell me to 90 home; | can only do
that IT you come with me, for my home
Is with you.'
She stood back from him little,
looking earnestly into his face as 1t
willing him to understand that every
word she spoke was spoken from her
heart, and not on the impulse OF the mo-
ment.
You say you have nothing to offer
me. | don't mind that. | have some
money--no, dear, don't turn away, |
want you to be glad. not sorry. be-
cause it means that we can go away to-
gether-somewhcre' e'--she faltered II
little-''and begin life again. You
can work, and | shall be there for you
to work for.
II don't mind where you 90, | don't
mind what you do" She broke
down into sudden crying. "Oh. if you
choose TO sweep n crossing / shall be
only too happy to stand beside you
rather than be left alone" she sobbed
between tears and laughter. "And after
that don't you dare to tell me | must
not come with you 80
lie stood for Il moment not answer
ing, his eyes on the barren field and
the indPcision in his face seemed slowly
to change TO II strong determination and |
resolution.
Then he turned and took her in his |
arms, looking down into her tear wet |
face with something like alteration in |
his eyes. Il m not worth 1t, | ought |
to be down in the dust at your feet, but
l cant send you away, my dear, |
can't. Wen go away together and
begin life again, and you shall never
regret it as long as you live" Then
he bent his head and kissed her.
lie took her back presently to Cherry
Lodge, but he would not go in with
her. and she smiled ready assent when
he said he would go down to Long End
Cottage.
There was no longer a doubt of him
in her heart: the last cloud and mis-
understanding had been swept away
forever; she knew that he loved her as
she loved him, and that nothing could
separate them again.
She went into the house with such
happiness in her eyes that Mr.. Harding
'oud find no words with which to greet
Ter when they met in the hall, but she
vent up to him at once.
, Uncle, I'm going to be married.
Soon, i think--in day or two-and
we're going abroad somewhere"
Glenn Harding gave stifed excla-
nation.
"Oh, my dear; beg of you-for your
'wn sa ke-l want your happiness,
leaven knows, more than anything on
arth-.--"
She lifted her face and kissed him.
'lf you do, them you will come and
rc me married" she said There is
My one man in the world for me. II
on I care about the past think I've
Orgotten it already, but / know-and
e knows. too--tbat the future is going
0 be all right"
GA Fernie was on his hands and
nccs trying to coax smoky fire IA
urn In the kitchen at Long End Cot
Igc, when he Fortune Hunter lifted
ne door latch and walked in.
For moment his son stood watching
i'm unheard then he went forward and
pok the bundle of chips from the old
ans wrinkled hands.
"i'il do that, he said I'm used =
} lighting fires" Old Fernio dId no,
art; he just rose stifly to his feet (
nd stood watching while the Fortune
lunter coaXcd the fire into a blaze and
1ded some pieces of coal. He looked
title daZed, but after moment he drew
Is armchair up to the fire and touched
Ie Fortune Hunter on the shoulder.
Sit down and warm yourself" he
i'd. "We'vc both been up all night.
il make some coffee"
He came back presently with some
Fps and an earthenware jug.
80 you're not tired of Somerton
IT. them he asked with n twinkle
! his eye, as he had asked the For,
Inc Hunter once before when they met
the bridge one morning. The For
ne Hunter looked up.
moment. he added And II NAV,
Il take back the refusal OF help you
ade me the other night"
He rose to his feet. "Tf you'll give
e a hand, III make good yet give
~ my word Of honor" Then he
lshed and laughed almost apologetic-
ly. ~ suppose you think that sounds
Fernie held out his hand. She's
ing with you?' he asked bluntly.
The Fortune Hunter looked away