The Washington times., 1922-12-27

sat DOWN on Inc 6iue OI the Ocn
with a sudden feeling Of weak
ness of which he was ashamed.
"A good beginning to the day."
he thought grimly. But he went
downstairs whistling. and found
Anne alone in the breakfast
room. looking out over the gar
den.
He went behind her and put his
arms round her. and she turned
her face. upward to be. kissed.
Still happy?" he asked rather
huskily as he released her. and
she flushed and smiled, Still
quite happy" she answered.
There was q flower in her
frock and she took 1t out and
pinned 1t in the Fortune Hunters
coat.
do you remember a rose I
gave you-oh, years and years
ago?" she said. looking up at him
shyly. What did you do with
ii. John? You always said you
would keep 1t forever"
He evaded her question by ask
ing another. Have you ever
kept a flower that I gave you
years and years ago?" he asked.
She nodded. her eyes downcast.
II kept that little bit OF lads
love you had in your coat the first
time 1 ever saw you" she con.
fessed. do you remember? 1t
fell out when / was talking to you
over the playground wall. and
when you'd gone-I picked. it up.
I've still got It," There was lit
tie silence, then she said: When
If ever we have our own garden.
dear, I'm going TO have an extra
special little bed where shall only
grow your lads love" The For
tune Hunter turned away.
IF ever we have a garden of
our own" That was one OF the
many dreams that were vanishing
with every moment. His only gar
den would be the countryside
through which he could wander
alone. wherein perhaps some day
he would come across a clump Of
the little blue flower and remem.
ber what Anne had said to him.
To change the subject, he said
lightly: "Oh, by the way, I'm
afraid I've upset Tommy again;
he came to my room just now and
threw bruin at my head"
"Bruin" she echoed the word,
not understa nding.
''The bearskin," he explained.
HE informed me that he no long
err had any use for It, or words to
that effect-but there's no need to
look so serious, my dear! Tommy
wants a lesson. and told him so
rather plainly last night. He's
been atrociously spoilt; he treats
everyone scandalously."
Anne sighed. II know" she an
swered, but he's always been so
delicate"
"A fact that he's been allowed to
trade on" the Fortune, Hunter in.
sisted. And now, what about
breakfast"
A DIRECT CHALLENGE.
She slipped a hand through his
arm and they went intd the dining
room together. Mr.. Harding was
already at the table. and he looked
up sharply as they entered. A lit.
tie expression of pain crossed his
face as his eyes rested on Anne.
That she was happy, the most cas-
ual observer could have seen for
himself, and Mr. Harding frowned
as he took up his newspaper.
"Oh. by the way" he said pres
emily. with apparent carelessness,
did I tell you that the police think
they have found out VINO thAt man
was who died in the woods six
weeks ago. .!,, .,...
>, He looked directly at. the For.
tune Hunter as he spoke. and the
Fortune Hunter answersd unhesi.
tatingly: .rrIFl 49,,
You didn't tell me, but Fernie
was saying something about Il last
night when saw him.. dsrs. cay
It will be q relief to Somsrton to
find out the truth at last" <.
Mr. Harding said. "Humphr'
and went on rather hurriedly with
his breakfast. =.
"And who DO they think he h,
Uncle Clem," Anne asked inter
estedly. ..
Mr. Harding heststed. then h
said: Some man from sbrosd-
' Australia. believe-a frtendlsel