Part 23 (1/2)

”Well, I haven't got very far yet, although I iht line But have you heard from Lawrence?”

”No,” she replied and her satisfaction vanished Indeed, Foster was so anxious now”

Foster nodded, ”Then Iwith Daly”

”Daly has been here----” she said and stopped as Mrs Featherstone came in

The latter looked at Foster rather curiously, but gave hiranted that he one to dine with a neighbor and would not be back for an hour or two, and then let Foster go to his room

Dinner was served soon after he came down, but while they talked freely about matters of no importance Foster noted a subtle difference in Mrs

Featherstone's manner She was not less friendly than usual, but she asked no questions about his journey and avoidedLawrence

It looked as if she knew her husband's doubts, but Foster soether share them In the meantime, he tried to act as if their relations were perfectly norlanced at the clock It was a long way to the nearest inn and he wondered when Featherstone would return, because he could not accept the hospitality of a man who distrusted him

When dinner was over, he ith the others to the drawing-rooe theed, as they soave hilance He did not know if he was grateful for this or not, but saw that she knehat he felt If Mrs

Featherstone guessed, she raciousness one would expect from a well-bred hostess, but went no further

It was a relief when Featherstone came in He made a little abrupt ive his hand The latter thought he looked disturbed

”I am sorry I was not at home when you arrived,” Featherstone said

”Still, I had no reason for thinking you would be here”

”In fact, you were rather surprised to see ested

Featherstone looked at hiht he had been blunter than was necessary, but replied: ”Well, I suppose that's true, but I have no doubt Mrs Featherstone has made up for my absence, and since you have come, ould like to talk to you about Lawrence I dare say you will give us a few minutes”

He opened the door as Mrs Featherstone rose, and Foster ith the table It was here he wrote his business letters and occasionally attended to ht this hy he had chosen the place It, no doubt, gave hi of authority Mrs

Featherstone sat by the fire, but Foster was surprised when Alice caht have been better if you had stayed downstairs and left this matter to your mother and me,” he remarked and waited, as if he expected his wife to support hi to get anxious about Lawrence, and if Mr Foster can tell us anything fresh, I ought to hear it But I don't think he can I believe he told us all he knew before”

Featherstone looked disturbed by her boldness, but Foster felt a thrill Alice was on his side and meant to show the others her confidence in his honesty He wondered what Featherstone would do, and was not surprised when he nation Foster knew his coined that Featherstone was very like Lawrence The latter was physically brave, but soave way to moral pressure and vacillated when he should be firm Both showed a certain lack of rude starain Foster, however, had other things to think about, and indeed felt rather like a culprit brought before his judges Then Mrs

Featherstone relieved the unpleasant tension

”We have not heard fro to set our fears at rest?”

”I' he must deal with the round for believing I have not been frank?”

”It is an aard question You are our guest and un to like you for your own sake; but I have grounds for supposing that you kept soin with, Daly, whoain yesterday”

”Did you give way to his demands? It's important that I should know”

Featherstone hesitated, and Foster sahere his suspicions led, but for the next moment or tas absorbed by speculations about Daly's visit Then Alice looked at her father with a smile