Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-23
mes I've said cruel things to you,

plaln-l wish now, oh, i wish / had J.
The Fortune Hunter could not an.
swer, and she said again 'sometime
you've looked 50 unheppy-tt's almost
"Oh, my dazzling"
She was heaping Goals OF fire on hi,
head. His very soul was full OF shame
knowing his own unworthiness. III
silenced her lips with kisses. Present.,
he took her back to the house. There
was a light In the drawing room, ant
through the open window they could see
Mr.. Harding sitting In his favoritC
chair reading. Everything looked JUS,
the same AS usual, and yet the Fortune
Hunter knew that nothing was the
same, that he walked now In very truth
on the edge OF ruination, A day--an
hour what did 1t matter? 1t was there,
irrevocably waiting for him. just before
they went in, he drew Anne again into
his arms.
you've been happy tonight--have
you been happyf" he asked desperately.
He longed to hear her say so just once
1t would be one sweet memory to take
with him into sunless future.
She raised herself on tiptoe and put
her arms round his neck. II could al
ways be happy with you--if you would
let me- she said.
He sent her into the house alone, and
presently followed.
Tommy was halfway up the stairs,
and he turned and grinned irritatingly
at the Fortune Hunter.
Anne's been looking for you," he
said. ~ believe she thought you'd
bunked her for good !" His grin widen
ed. She'll tie you to her apron strings
fast enough when you are married. -
lie went up another few steps, and
added meaningly, "if you ever are!"
The Fortune Hunters face famed
he went up the stairs two at u time
and caught the boy by the shoulder.
Look here, you little devil!" he
said savngely. ''If you've got anything
tc say 70 me, say 1t and have done I'm
sick OF the way you crawl about the
house, grinning and speering. Ill wiring
your neck II you don't stop It,"
Tommy wriggled free Of him, his
face was llvid, and his eyes cowardly;
he limped of ct top speed.
"'Yoh shall pay for this" he said
under his breath rs he rushed for safety
tc his own room, and locked the door.
I'm make you, sorry you ever spoke
TO me like that"
The Fortune Hunter stood looking
after him, breathing hard. The little
Gutburst Of temper had done him good,
and he knew now that his feeling to.
ward Tommy had been smoldering into
trouble for some time.
He lit q cigarette and stood ut the
open door smoking.
lie thought Of those moments In Fer
MES cottage, and wondered what their
result would be. That the old man
Lated him he knew well enough, and he
was positive that the fact of their rela-
tlonShip would in no way lessen his
He thought of his mother, and out
OF the past little incidents Of their life
together before she died came creeping
back to him.
He remembered how seldom she had
spoken Of his father, save to say how
hard and cruel he was; he knew that
shc had adopted different name after
she 'efS him, so as to be entirely free of
man whom she had loathcd. -.
So his own name was really Fernie
II seemed odd that 1t should be that.
after all the many he had assumed dur.
Ing the past fifteen years.
He would never adopt il, whatever
happened; he was not proud of the re-
lntionship. Then he wondered what Mr..
Harding would think when he knew,
l.
wavs hated Fernie.
Mr.; Harding came into the hall be-
hind him.
rs that you, John2 Has Anne gone
Eyes. Is 1t lote?"
Its nearly eleven. I'm tired-lock
up; will you?I
The Fortune Hunter threw his cIga
,ette into the garden and shut the front
loor. As he was fastening the bots
le glanced back at Mr.. Harding. He
vas standing at the foot Of the stairs,
md for moment. before he turned
way. the Fortune Hunter caught a liz
e CLINT of triumph In his eyes that sent
lis heart beats racing.
hought that leapt to his mind, and
hen" TOMORROW where shall be
I this time tomorrow
The Fortune Hunter was dressing the
GLOWING morning when there came a
ap at his door.
In spite Of the many emotions of the
light before. he had slept well and
reamlessly. But his nerves were
haky, and the blood flew TO his face az
9 turned around, one arm in the sleeve
Z his waiStcoat.
,r, C"me IN he said. =,
Ihere was moments hesitation,
nen Ie me door was Opened and with great
ifhculty Tommy numbered into the
oom' the huge white bearskin in his
rms ms
The Fortune Hunter stared at him,
is mouth tightening as Tommy flung
ne skin down on the floor at his feet
nd gave 1t a contemptuoue kick.
Ills thin face was peaked spitefully,
nd his eyes g'ared as he said slowly
don't want the thing--you can have