The Washington times., 1922-12-29

Then ne raised her head ana, hofu-
ing her face between his hands
stopped and kissed her lips--a Ions
kiss Of farewell. II only she had
known II. Of passionate despair
and undying love.
IT love you'll love you," he said
Her arms clung about him, her wet
cheek was pressed to his.
"And you won't go-you won't
leave me-
ANNE. oh. my dear. how can
answer you? How can I stay?
I've been ordered to go-and
rightly. must leave this house
tonight-you know that. shall
love you all my life. there's never
been another woman in the world for
me. There'll never be a moment
when / am not thinking OF YOU
wanting you. But I can't stay;
you know that. l."
Twill you stay II I ask you to-"
said a voice behind him, and the
Fortune Hunter turned, with
Anne's arms still about him, and
looked into Mr.. Harding's perturb-
ed face.
There was a tragic silence.
"Will you stay II I ask you to-"
Mr.. Harding said again. "Oh, it's
not that I've changed my mind
about you" he broke out. with
great bitterness, but l love my
niece: I'd give everything / own
to see her happy, and know now
that she'll break her heart II you
CO."
He came forward a step into the
room. Stay. just for tonight"
he added slowly. Tomorrow
perhaps things will seem more pos
sible tomorrow"
The two men eyed one another
steadily for a long moment; then
the Fortune Hunter flung up his
head. VERY well-if you wish it,"
1t was a way out for the mo-
ment, and he felt that he could
bear no more. Tomorrow? Mr..
Harding had said that tomorrow
things might seem more possible;
but the Fortune Hunter knew we'll
enough that before tomorrow came
he would be out on the road. with
all this part of his life left behind
him forever
Supper was brought in place Of
the long DELAYED dinner. anA . ponr
pretense OF eating was made, but
it was a relief to everyone when II
was over.
1t was agony to the Fortune
Hunter to see the tragedy of
Anne's face; hundred times Ne
wished that after all he had gone
away withor' seeing her: he was
unutterably glad when she rose
to say goodnight. 1t was only ten
o'clock then, but the evening had
seemed an eternity.
GOODNIGHT.
He followed her from the room
and said good night to her at the
foot Of the stairs. Hc dared not
offer 20 kiss her, and she did not
seem to wish or expect II. He
stood and watched her 60 up the
staircase, but when she reached
the bend, and in another second
would have been hidden from him,
something seemed to snap In his
heart. He went up the stairs two
at time and O .ertook her on the
landing
Anne She half turned, the
tears running down her face. and
he caught her to his heart.
"My dear-my dear-my dear!"
She clung TO him desperately, and
they kissed as only lovers kiss for
whom the moment Of eternal fare.
well has come.
They hardly spoke, save In
broken words of endearment. until
Anne said. with the quietness Of
despair:
"lf you had left me. I would
have followed you to the ends Of
the world" And chen. as he made
no answer. she broke out passion.
ately: Promise me that you will
stay--promise me!'
But he only answered her with
broken words and caresses. and At
last, thinking she was soothed
and comforted, he kissed her once
and left her.
He went straight to his own
room ana shut and locked the
door: then he sat down In the
darkness. his face hidden in his
hands. and cried like a child for
the hapless ruin he had made OF
his life.