Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-27

scot Tree, after the way he's come into
the house and made fools Of us all,
you're mistaken. He shall pay for his
little game, and pay dearly, or my
names not Clement Harding.
who Is he to come here, worming
ms way into my house, making love
to my nieceT His face was purple
with rage.
"Thero's something In what Fernie
says Foster broke In. 1--WE don't
want scandal here for all our sakes.
Let the fellow 60 and
Mr.. Harding turned OF, him savagely !;
he was fnfuriated by the way in which
he chose to consider Fcrnie mad let MIN
down; he no longer had the least pity
for the Fortune Hunter. O'
| Let him got" he shouted. IA fine
tbins And who's to repay my money
l should like to know--the noney-the
money he stole from ne--the-----"
Old Fernie took slow step for
ward. 81 VIII" he said quietly.
II Fernie had thrown a bomb into
the middle tf the room he could no,
nave created greater CONSERVATION. III,
smiled sardonically at the amazed faces
before him.
Anne was sitting up now, her hands
clasped In her lap, her face white and
tense.
You. Mr.. Fernie!'' she breathed,
and then as he nodded she broke out
| agitatedly: But. why--why2"
OId Fernie made no answer for n
moment, but he locked swiftly across nj
the Fortune Hunter, then said slowly:
We'll, I've my own reasons; they
don't matter for the moment, but Tn
NOT such poor man as every ono I'm
Somorton seems to suppose. and can
weil afford to repay Mr.. Harding, if he
will accept"
"But.-but----" Mr.. Harding eplut.
tered, IT'S all such an extraordinary
thing You told me you hated John
thls man! You told me that you
meant 20 ruin him, and n0w--good
gracious, mani What are your rea-
sohs9 Have You taken leave Of your
srnsesi''
Never mind my reasons, Mr.. Hard.
ing Fcrntc answered, and there was n
certain dignity about the old man as he
$1,000 there, quite unmoved In the mds,
OF all the excitement. There's nv Of.
fcr:, VIII you take 1t or leave it?'
| The fortune Hunter broke In then.
It's not for Mr.. Harding to choose.
It's FOR me to say II l will allow you
t. pay my debts, and l refuse to allow
you to do so. absolutely refuse -
His eyes blazed as they met Fer.
bies. I'D rather 70 to prison, If
that's where you're all so bent on send.
Ing me- he added recklesly.
Mr.. Harding veered round again,
And doesn't It occur to you that you
owe my NIECE some slight conside-a-
don! he asked sharply. "If By ac.
cG,epting this mans offcr--though for the
iifo OF me cannot understand why he
mas made it-you can save her in som.
slight measure. isn't II your duty TO
accept! Haven't you any thought for
her at alp
The Fortune Hunters face whitened +:
he looked at Anne. ITS for Mis-
Harding to decide" he said after a
moment with on effort, II am willing
to do as she wishes"
Il have no wishes in the matter. +"
Anne rose to her feet; her face was
quite colorlcss, but she waved Geoffr,
Foster AWAY when he would have sup
ported her. 'As far as ain coli L.
cerned, this thing is ended and don,
Win, she went on, and her voice was
fiat and expression!es.
lift It is any ones place to--to
prosecute this-gent!eman' she wav
cred n litle-"it is mine, and I have
no such wish or intention. only wan
him TO go; and / hope / shall never
see him again"
There was moments profound 81 {.
lence. Tommy fidgetcd from one foo
TO tho other, and shot the Forum,
hunter triumphant glance, and Geof-
fry Foster moved forward with NOR,
confidence and leaned over Anne, taking
her hand In his, as she sank back on L
the couch.
! Ihe Fortune Hunter seemed the most
unmoved of them all. He stood there,
| his head thrown back defantiy, q mock
ing smi'e on his lips.
Then suddenly Mr.. Harding spoke
she is right; It shall be- as sh,
wishes" he said.
He raised his hand and pointed t,
me door. his eyes fixed Oh the Forum,
Hunters defiant face. Go" h,
said, before l change my mind"
The Fortune Hunter laughed aloud
lie turned swiftly on his heel, and II.
another moment would have gone, but
that Old F'crntc caught him by the coat.
You shall not co." he said. and
thcVe was a ring of command in hi
voice that struck strangely on the si!ent
room. You shall not 20 until have
had my say"
He crushed his old felt hat nervousl, .,
in his hand. but he was self possesse,
enough as he looked steadily at Mr.:
Harding.
This man is my con-" he said.
Tommy gave a loud gasp, but no
body else moved or spoke. Anne ha
hidden her face in her hands and Mr..
Harding stood like man turned I,
stone.
This man is my son." old Ferni,
said again, his hand still clutching tn,
it till two days ago, but it's true
enough. This man is my son, and a
Ids father claim the right to makr
Myself responsible for his debts and pro.
tect him."
lie waited, but nobody spoke, an,
he broke out sharply: well. hQy.
none of you got anything to say?'
The Fortune Hunter shool; himgel
free.
Yes, have" he said, "and IT,
this: / will accept 10 help from 20,
or any one else. I'm not hiding benin
Il man who has done his best TO ruiz
me. I'm done, and | know it, but l.,
pay my own dcbts-thank you ali the
aame," he added, more quietly, as he |
saw how Fernie WINGED.
And may ask how you propose t. !
pay thcm!' Mr.. Harding said huskIIy. |
lie mad not yet rGcoye. ed from Che |
shock; he could not believe that he had
hear Alright. 1T seems to me-" he |
broke out furiously, without waiting for |
a reply. chat this is just a game put
up between you all, though Why" He |
strode over to Anne and laid his hand |
on her shoulder. How long have you !
known this?" he asked her.
Miss Harding knows nothing about !
it," the Fortune Hunter answered for
her swiftly. "lt's, quite true, what