The Washington times., 1922-12-04

back against the parapet. STAND
there-don't move" He
rushed away from toward the on
coming horse; the ring Of its
hoofs sounded like thunder on
the hollow bridge.
The Fortune Hunter let the
horse get level with him. then he
swung round, catching the flying
bride, running beside II.
He hung on with grim strength,
not attempting at first to check
the animals speed. but making 1t
feel his strength and presence.
Anne hid her face. He would
be killed she thought wildly, and
hoped that she would die. too.
She could feel the hot breath Of
the horse as 1t snorted past her:
afraid now of it's own strength;
heard the ring of the hoofs dead.
ed again as II crossed the bridge
and gained the roadway once
more. and then suddenly it
stopped.
FERNIE RESCUED.
She looked up; the Fortune
Hunter had the horse under con.
troll; he stood beside it, patting
its steaming neck. talking to it
soothingly. The man Fefnie had
slipped to the ground: he was
white and shaken: he could not
find his voice when Anne rushed
to join them.
She looked at John. You are
not hurt. thought was
afraid you would be hurt"
He laughed. 1T was nothing.'
He turned to Fernie. What
frightened the poor brute?" he
asked.
Fernie found his voice with an
effort
The Lord only knows: cursed
brute! She's never done 1t be-
fore!'
He wiped his sweating face
with a shaking hand. win you
lead her back to the inn for me?"
I'll not ride her again." They
walked back over the bridge to-
gether, the Fortune Hunter lead
ing the trembling horse, and
nothinng more was said till they
reached the inn: then old Fernie,
looking up at him, said: And
who have to thank for-for
the fact that I'm still alive?"
His voice was family ironical,
but his eyes were not unkindly
as he looked 1t the young mans
flushed face.
Anne came forward. This Is
my fiance. Mr.. Fernie." she said
quietly. Mr.. John Smith,"
There was a moments silence,
rather exaggerated courtesy.
"I am pleased to meet you. Mr..
John Smith. and perhaps some
day you may be glad to remem-
ber that we have met-for the
first time in such auspicious cir.
cumstances." he said dryly.
'Fernie's a rum chap" the For
tune Hunter said, as he and Anne
were walking home again. "A
queer cuss, and yet. you know,
somehow he interests me-"
Anne shivered. Does he? I
never feel that trust him."
The Fortune Hunter laughed.
"Oh. come. He was civil enough
this afternoon"
WAS he? There's something
about his eyes" she broke
Of ITO add after Q moment, don't
let us talk about him; and -
1T you-if you could make It
up with Tommy" Her voice was
hesitating. almost apologetic.
The Fortune Hunter frowned
vexedly. "I never meant to upset
him. lost my temper, I admit.
I'll find him when we get back"
But Tommy was nowhere about.
and after a vain search for the
Fortune Hunter went up to the
disused room at the top Of the
house where they had carried
John Smiths luggage to be out
of the way.
1t stood in a forlorn heap be-
meath the small gabled window. the
sunlight. which had struggled out
from behind the rain clouds, shin
ing down on It and outlining the
many labels and the dead mans
initials with painful distinctness.
One of the boxes had been
opened; its lid was forced back,
but none Of the things had as yet
been disturbed. There were q few
clothes. some colored shirts that
looked as II they had never been
worp opd a LOT ~ M mara thr0vvn