Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-17

wrong between us. l know that, though
l don't understand why. No, please
don't speak," as he made quick, little
gesture.
cts not---not easy for me to sa,
what l want to. The last few days I've
tried to make up my mind to send you
away-.to pretend didn't care any
more '" She drew long sob
breath" I suppose I'm not good
actress--at any rate. | can't--go on
trying to make you believe In a lie.
do care! Perhaps ought to be ashamed
to admit IL, but It's the truth. know
you've lied to me, and ] know you've
deceived me- az
Anne" ......r
She shook her head, moving back a
step from him. ''Oh, please. what is
the use Of denying III know l--somo-
thing In my heart knows and yeti
can't stop loving you. I've tried--I've
wanted not to care, and it's no good.
and SOL want-I want to make one
last appeal to you--you don't know
how hard tits for me, butts because
l do feel that there Is something behind
It all that I can't properly understand;
l want to ask you II we n't--begin
all over--againF'
Her voice broke. and she dared not
look at him, for fear that the tears
would overflow.
The Fortune Hunter stood with his
hands gripped behind him, and the veins
stood out like cords on his forehead as
he tried to answer her. Garry Cannon's
words came back to him urgently.
p Tell her the truth, man---tell her
the truth. and II she cares hang
about you! y"
He looked down at her. his face
twitching. Would she forgive him? She
looked so sweet and desirable. How
could she take such a vagabond as he
was to her heart. and ever believe IN
4 liar and an impostori That was
what he was! While she, who loved
II have never told you ue-nevcr
once deceived you." She had said Tint
to him just now; how, then could he
confess to the many lies he had told
her--the many times he. had deliberately
deceived her?
He broke out desperately:
IF you'd only try to trust me God
knows 1 love you'd give my life for
you-----'
Then it's no good---we must either
go on as we are---or say good by.
It's for you to choose, John--it's 70,
you to say. But | thought-after a
that had happened" She could not
finish.
She went back to her seat on the
couch, and closed her eyes wearily. He
head ached--her whole body seemed 10
ache; she had made her appeal, she had
sunk her pride and held out her hand
to him, and It hal all been useless.
The Fortune Hunter stood looking
down at her for q moment, torn with
despair. lie lonsed to tell her the
truth. to bare his unhappy heart, and
yet--thc dread OF losing her, of seein;
her love turn TO scorn, held him back
like grip of iron.
lie went down on his knees baaidc
her, enCtrcling her with his arms.
Don't throw me over-6on't srnF
me away-I've had nothing in my life
but your love--don't send me away,
Anne-don't send me away"
He was like child crying in the
darkness; for the moment he was quit,
unnamed, but, though her face
quivered rs II with intolerable pain.
she would not look at him or even
touch him. though she said:
I've offered you everything>-I want
to give you everything. But you don't
Il love you, and il you love nae.
what does the rest mHttcr:" he said
recklessly. kiss me, Anne, and love
me-oh, my dear, it's an eternity since
| held you IN my ARMS
She shrank away from him, warding
him off with trembling hands.
II will never kiss you again until
you love me enough to tell me every
thing" she said and breaking into bit.
ter sobbing, she started up and ran
from the room.
The Fortune Hunter stood where she
had left him, too wretched TO think or
move. The world had gone awty, bur
! the fault was his, and he must get our
of his trouble IN the best way he could.
But IL set him trembling like q gil
wien he found a note on bis dressing
tab'e that night. addressed in Anne .
writing, and FOR Il long tine lc stood
locking at It, afraid TO open Il and
read.
Why had she written? Was il real
dismissal this time? His hund shook
when at last he unfolded II.
Dear John-I am just writing to ask
you II you will please let things go on
for a little while longer as they are.
and to say that It win be kind If you
will help me let people think that moth
ing is wrong between Us. This evening
uncle saw me crying, and he asked
what was thAmatter. He was angry and
blamed you; he said he would speak to
YOU about Il, and could not bear that
So. please, no matter how you really
feel toward me, II you could let cCery
one think it is all right for y lit whi.e
longer it will help Inc great dea,.
ANNE"
L.. 4 . l.
little note and hid his furc in his hands.
NO matter how you fee! toward NE
Had he, then, acted go we'll that he
had really deceived her into the belief
that he did not carer
lie longed to answer her letter with
all the passionate despair OF his heart.
but he did not dare. He conld only
think bitterly that she was ceverer
than he when, tho next morning, she
met him with Fay li'tle snMle and
asked how they should spend the day.
Tommy and Mr.. Harding wegn bGrG
Ia the room. and the Fortune Hunter
felt that they were watching him, as he
answered with an eifori that be felt
law. and TINT the river would be the
best pace. She laughed at that.
We've spoilt you slnca you came
home" she said. AID IL you como
on tho r.ver with NE you'u have to 90
all the WORK, promise YOU"
She chatted away ali breakfast t!Ine,
but the Fortune Hunter WAS not IN
the least deceived. She had not for
given him OF forgotten! In reality
things were just as uUhappy aud
strained between them, but for the sake
Of what the others in the house would
think she meant to play the game,