The Washington times., 1922-12-11
A Seeker of Thrills Finds Himself
Mistaken for Another and Thereby
Becomes Enmeshed in a Maze
of Love and Mystery.

her cigarette and watched It melt
away thoughtfully. ..
This FATE AT STAKE.
you must have been very
clever" she said suddenly. "How
IL it you haven't given yourself
away" J-
The woman looked up slowly.
keeping one. hand on an open page
Of the magazine. and for q long
moment her eyes met those Of the
Fortune Hunter unflinchingly;
then she rose to her feet.
1T was right, then" she said.
and there was just the faintest
touch Of emotion in her voice.
"You arc not-John Smith! though
you are sufficiently like him to
deceive-anyone who knew him
less than I do" She stopped. her
breath coming fast. els he-of
course he is-dead," she asked.
YES" ~
There was q poignant silence:
the Fortune Hunter never took
his eyes from her face. He knew
that the next few seconds would
decide his fate once and for all,
but she did not even lose color.
though for q brief moment she
closed her eyes and her lips trem.
bled a little. Then she looked at
him serenely.
II am quite ready for lunch. II
you are" she said.
The Fortune Hunter caught his
breath on a harsh sigh Of relief.
So she had not cared for John
Smith! The greatest danger Of
all. then, had not to be faced.
He felt ten years younger a. he
followed her to the luncheon room.
At the door she half turned and
looked at him again.
IT booked q table, was very
sure you would come. you see."
He half shrugged his shoulders.
you gave me no option" he
answered.
She laughed at that.
you are not very gallant!
However, I forgive you"
She took her seat opposite him
at q table at the side Of the room.
She was perfectly self.possessed.
II what she had heard had been
= shock to her she showed no
sign Of It. She ordered lunch and
drew Off her gloves carefully,
smoothing and patting them into
shape.
When the waiter had moved
away she said abruptly: "You
copied his handwriting well. but
the signature was wrong. You
must be moro careful in the fu-
ture."
The Fortune Hunter flushed
DULY; 80 she was taking It for
granted that he was an adven-
turer. even before she had heard
one word Of his story: It was sur
prising how her attitude hurt his
pride. even though he knew It to
be deserved.
ONLY ls sHLLINGs.
There Is one thing that must
tell you." he said curtly after a
moment. and that 70. that I have
only about sixteen shillings in the
world. I hope you are In q better
position financially"
She looked up ana laughed out
right.
II like your candor." she said.
II think We shall be friends. Yes.
I think I can manage to foot the
BILL" she took up the wine list.
what win you drink? I prefer
champaSns. In honor Of the occs-
sion. IT'S . long time since !
lunchsd With -" she hest.
tatsd. then added deliberately. "A
- q
Fortune Hunter"
The Fortune Hunter looked at
her curiousiy; he was reluctantly
Obliged to admit that there was
something rather attractive about
her; perhaps It was her frankness.
Or perhaps her seif-possession. but.
1t any rate. against his win. he
begAn to be interssted. -
Who was shef What was shsf
and what could she tell him Of
John Smith, A thousand ques-.
lions crowded to his lips, but he
realized that II would be better to
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