Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-19

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hardly. "No doubt II was easy enough |
TO convince you that he spoke the truth
Did he tell you that, Anne"
And IL he did" she broke out
tremulously. II suppose you are not |
going to deny that It's truep" He
shrugged his shoulders.
why should I deny, anything when |
you have told me already that you will
not believe a word I say?"
He ran the punt alonssidc the bank |
and sprang ashore, securing the moor
ing rope to a tree stump.
The rain had not increased at all,
and as yet the leaves overhead afforded
an efficient shelter.
The Fortune Hunter lit q cigarette |
and sat down on the tree stump, his |
eyes on Anne's face. and once again |
the burning desire to take Garry Can
non advice and tell her the truth |
rushed through him.
Would she believe him and, what
mattered more greatly, would she for
give him Her pretty face seemed to
nave lost something of its soft child
isbness, he thought with q pang. to
have grown thinner and harder. She
shivered q little and he rose hurriedly
around her.
"We'll go back as soon as the rain
stops" he said. You ought to have
take cold"
Thank you. am not cold"
Lhere was a lit le silence, and the
Fortune Hunter looked away down the
gray, deserted river and wondered how
many times In the future he would think
again. " '''A ~ e'"'e
rs that Fcrnies cottage on the on
poste bankF' he asked suddenly. lie
p1'mteu across the stream to small
| white- washed house with crooked
chimney, standing by itself at the end
OK waterway.
"fcs'-.Anne followed his gaze
yes. that's Long End Cottage.
! The Fortune Hunter rose and cnme
to stand beside the punt.
It's raining harder than ever.
think the best thing We can do is 70
cross the river and ask him 10 rive us
shelter. He glanced up.
leaves now" '''
He began to unfasten the mooring
rope, but Anne cried out In protest:
VIII not 30 over there! would
Will not go into his house.
III we stay here we shall be drcncbed
to the skin--look at, the rain now"
Inc river was mass Of bubbles, rain
drops dancing up and down like mis-
chievous sprites. He threw rhe rope
into the punt and followed il. pushing
on from the bank determinedly.
II will not go into Fernie's house, :"
Anne said again excitedly. John
please, ! beg Of you !"
But he was already pushing out into
mid stream strongly the rain was
pouring down now, and after moment
his thin shirt and bare arms were run
ming with water.
Anne glanced at him and said no
more. but she kept her eyes fixed ap.
prehensively ahead to where the smoke
from the croo ked chimney OF Long End
Cottage curled up into the gray sky.
I am sorry to disobey you the
Fortune Hunter said after a moment.
But it's madness to stay under those
She laughed. ''If / did you would
be free then.
The Fortune Hunter made no an =
swer: he. too was looking toward the
cottage. lie was conscious OF n queer
sort Of eagerness to meet Fcrnic again
he was curious to see what sort Of q
home the man had. and what greeting
he would give them.
AS they neRred the opposite bank
they saw that Fernie was standing at
the open door, his slouched hat pulled
down over his eyes as usual smoking
placidly
He watched them without. moving
until the punt entered the waterway
leading up past his cottage; then he
knocked the ashes from his pipe and
sauntered leisurely down to the bank.
"A sudden shower" he said: he
made clumsy sort of attemp, 10 raise
his hat TO Anne. You're w.!"ome
+ to come in. Miss Harding, and 81 a.
ter"
There's really no need" she an
swered hurriedly. We're so wet now
that we might MS well go straight
home
you're welcome, and I've got a fire
in the Kitchen" was his only answer.
The Fortune Hunter was already Oh
the bank, and he held out his hand
to help Anne ashore. Her fingers felt
cold in his, and he kept them In his
hand for u moment till she drew them
away.
''Is the rain going to last, do you
Think" the Fortune Hunter asked Of
Fernie as they went up to the cottage
together.
Shouldn't be surprised the wind
in the right quarter, was the laconi(
answer He went ahead of them ant
opened the door wider he seemed tc
be deliberately avoiding the Forum,
! Hunters eyes.
IT'S a small place. but you'll find il
clean" he said in the same disln
terested fashion.
, 1t was n diminutive kitchen. with
bright fire burning IN the crate and
chair drawn up close to it.
Anne. looking around with apprchen
sive eyes, noticed the orderly array o
,, china OIL the dresser and the freshl,
scrubbed hoor, and she felt vasuel!
surprised.
Pull ur to the fire, Miss Harding
and warm yourself" Fernie said more
9 aTably, as she sbiv0rcd; for the frs
time he looked at the Fortune Hunter
and added, hesltatingly: Il DOM
know that I can offer you a change o.
: clothes, Mr.. Smith"--his eyes scanned
I rcrhaps you're used to weather Of al
! sorts," he added.
'T am. Weather never troubles
: me-" tbs Fortune Hunter answered
\ He shook the rain drops from his hair
: and dried his wet arms on his hand
kerchief.
. A sudden gust OF rain had lnshec
tho window. and, glancing out. he saw
that the river was blurred and almos
hidden from view In driving mist, 'W'
could almost have been home by nov,
Anne said ungraciousIy, though in he
o heart she was grateful FOR the warmrl
! and shelter. She leaned forward, hold
u ing her hands TO the flames, her eye