Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-09
THE FORTUNE HUNTER
BY RUBY NJ. AYRES
Ibor "Ths Raeheior Husband" "The Unuont.d .t
i -" Copyright bV Wheeler Syndicate, IN

s,au suddenly: You're wondering Il
I'm going to be a drag on you for thc
rest OF your life--alwsys turning uy
shd piackmatling YOU we'll
no, I'm not that sort I don't pretend
70 DC any better than I am, but I'm
before, rather like you, You ss
you remind me little of--of the mar
l told you about. He chucket,
me because he said I wasn't straight.
NO, don't say anything, but I
give you my word--for what IT'S worth
-,that IL ! get my ten thousand you
shan ever be bothered with me again -
For the second time she held out her
hand. I'D like you to bolieve me. -
she said with unexpected earncstuess.,
They looked at one apother for a
moment silently, then the Fortune
Hunter took her hand in his. 'I wish
you the best Of luck" she said,
He laughed mirthlcssly.
answered. "Then you'll give mellow
long.-for the frat payment"
"a week. I'd give you longer, but
I'm hard up! You'll know where to
find me. ! shall sit tight here and wal,
for you to come along
II dare cay I shall write-7-I may not
be abe TO come again.
Just an you like" She was quito
unconcerned The moneys the chief
thing. after all.' He looked at her with
baffled expression in his handsome
eyes.
you krow, you're queer mixture,
TOO, he said suddenly. She flushed and
sighed. "Am I? That's because I'm
always trying to kill the woman I was
| ,,N t.N hn anI n
coed. wasn't intended for wrong
dwelt on him for Il moment. II don't
think YOU were. either" shc said con-
| fidentialiy. where did you come from
i mean, where were you born!' Hc
laughed.
I'm England, | believe. but I'm not
sure. don't remember my father; my
earliest recollections are Of Australia.
| | lived there till ] was siyteen--with
my mother; then shc died, and !
turned vagabond.
"You we're fond Of your mother
! There was something in your voice
when you spoke her NAME
'Yes--ycs, | was.
| They were both silent for moment.
then Irenic Claver held out her hand
agnin.
You know somehow ] think things
will come all right for you. she said;
then she laughed. '"Tbnt sounds hum-
bug, doe.n't It. when I've just dunneL
you for 100000"
She did not wait for reply, but
rose 20 her feet. drawing her wrap
around her shoulders.
"1'm going down West. Can drive
| you snywhercT'
"I'll 10 straight back to Scmerton.
Tho Fortune Hunter followed her
cut IT the room and into the lounge
! again.
lie was conscious OF an enormous
sense of refcf that the interview WAS
over and yet he had never felt 80 un.
happy or so full Of misSivings.
Ammo trusted him. and with every
moment of every day he was adding to
the mouatain of lies and deceit which
we're bis only return for her faithful
love.
lie tried to shake the thought aside
and be thankful that the great danger
that had threatened him that morning
had been overcome. but somehow the
shadows by far outweighcd that ono ray
of sunshine.
Thcrc was n tax,cab in the rour,yar,l
outside. and he handed Ircnlr into il
You won't lcr me driyr you any
! whereT' she asked again.
"Thank you--no.' He stood at the
open door, looking at her rather wist d.
fully.
"And if there is anything else you
want to know" she said cheerily.
don't mind asking. Thieves ought to
hang together
~. grt.
! atrc entrance at that moment and
strollcd lclsurcly along the path toward
, them.
lie glanced casually at Trcuic C.avrr
and then quickly at her companion. an!
his blaSc tnrc changed into look of
swift recognition rs he hnIt. stopped
thea went ON again slowly rs the For.
tune Hunter turned. rnd their eyes met.
Tho man was Gcoffry Foster.
After the first shock of surprise. tho
Fortune Hunter quickly recovered him
self; he nodded casually to Gcoffry
Foster and turned again to Irenie
Claver.
She was watching him with n touch
Of anxiety.
Was that some one you know"
she asked.
"Yes--only an acquaintance, though"
Irenle looked after Fosters immacu-
late figure, and there was frown be-
tween her darkened brows.
II thought somehow I had seen him
before what IL his uamc?''
"rostcr- Geohry Foster
She echoed the name thoughtfully.
then shrugged her shoulders.
~ was mistaken, I suppose. We'll,
good .by-and good luck.
She got into the cab, and the Forum"
Hunter shut the door.
~ Shall hear from YOU in weeks
time them" were her last words
The Fortune Hunter nodded. "HcE."
tie raised his hat and turned moodilS
away.
the wide world was he to find such
il five million while he was about it
He walked out into the Strand and
looked about for Foster: 1t was rank
bad luck that he should have turned
up just Mt that moment; Of course. he
would take the first opportunity to tell
Anne of the unfortunate meeting. But
there was no sign of Foster anywhere.
and the Fortune Hunter got on to bus.
When he had paid his fare it left
him with but rs. in the world and a
return ticket to SomertOn, and yet he
had given his word of honor-if it was
true that there WAS such q thing as
honor among thieves that lie would
send Ircnie Clavcr $4,000 in weeks
time.
Ho laughed drcarIy Ut the very
thought; hc might as we'll have prom
iscd her the moon.
There was no train to Somerton for
an hour. and Il was q o'clock when he