The Washington times., 1923-01-01


down the stairs, someone moved
In the shadow Of the study door
and Mr.. Harding came towards
her.
Anne! Where are you going?"
She stood quite still. warning
him off with shaking hands. Her
voice was wild when she answered
him.
Hes gone; somehow / knew he
meant to. and am going with
him. Let me go-oh, IL you ever
loved me- He caught her
hands in his; his CHEEKY face was
fun Of hard distress.
MY dear!! Think what it means!
It's the best for US all to let him
go. He knows that the whole
thing is impossible. II he stays,
what happiness can there be for
you with q man you can't trust-a
man who has Lied to you, an"
She broke in passionately: 81
love him. and he loves me. II he
goes. I shall never be happy
again"
The, Ipan's worthless. He's
taken the best way out. Ask any
one what they think. My dear, I'd
give the world to see you happy,
but this way IL impossible"
She hardly seemed to hear; she
broke from him and ran to the
front door, drawing back the bolts
with trembling fingers
You're keeping me; you're
wasting time. Oh. I don't care
what you say: it makes no diff
ference" She flung his hand off
when he would have detained
her. LET me go, unless you
want me to hate you. You've all
been against him ever since he
came-you and Tommy-you've
both tried to ruin my happiness"
Anne dragged the door open
and fed into the garden, the
white wrap flying around her like
misty wings.
She reached the gate breath.
less and sobbing. It was shut,
and for a few seconds she bun
gled with the latch.
Which way had he gone?
Which way? Was she too late
already? She started to run
down the road away from the
village. then stopped, sobbing
tearlessly and wringing her
hands.
There was no sign or anybody
on the long barren road and,
half distracted with dread, she
had turned to 90 back toward the
village when she saw Fernie.
His, old face looked jaded and
pale in the morning light, and
there was something pathetic in
his eyes az he approached her,
hat in hand.
AnAe broke out piteously: "Oh,
which way did he go? Which
way?"
BRING HIM BACK.
Old Fernie pointed up the road
with the stem Of his pipe.
He thought I didn't see him
go, Miss Harding" he said
hoarsely. but that's the way
he went" He laid his hand on
her arm. Bring him back. my
dear" he implored; bring him
back"
Anne could not answer. She
fed on up the deserted road and
through the little village.
Too late! Too late! Something
seemed to speak the words mock.
ingly at her heart. Why had
she not been quicker? Why had
she hesitated . moment? What
did anything else in the world
matter If she had lost him? Her
love was strong enough to forgive
the past, strong enough to face
whatever lay awaiting her in the
future.
The flimsy wrap she wore was
damp with the morning mist, and
when some instinct turned her
flying feet through the wood the
brambles and bare twigs Of the
underground caught her and tore
it. But she went on unheeding
till she came to the small clear
ing on the other side and saw
the Fortune Hunter standing by
the five-barred gate.
She stood still then, conscious
OF a sudden weakness, her breath
coming in uneven gasps. the re-
lief Of having found him almost
too great to be borne.
He stood looking out across the
brown, barren field, the first
streak Of pale sunlight touching
his wan face.
Anne crept nearer to him, her
feet making no sound over the
soft ground, till she was close
beside him. Then she spoke his
name:
"John!'
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