Part 30 (1/2)

”Aweel,” said Pete, grinning, ”I've no' done so bad It's a guid plan to mak' certain when ye hae the chance”

XXIV

LAWRENCE'S STORY

When the an to feel impatient Pete went away, but Mrs Stephen and Lucy re much to ask and tell his comrade, was embarrassed by their presence By and by he saw that Lawrence atching him with quiet amusement

”It's like old times to have you with us,” Lawrence re up to co fellow Don't you think this lucky reunion is rather too good to spoil?”

Foster knehat he h he felt this eak It was pleasant to lounge, enjoying careless talk, and the society of the two ladies had its charave the place a hoirl made an attractive picture as she handed Lawrence his ht it orth being ill to be waited on like that Then his chair was co on the snow

The sky was a wonderful pale-green and the high peaks glowed against it, softly red There was a belt where the snow glittered, but lower down it faded to gray and blue The pines were nearly black, but rose out of the shadow in sharp-cut spires, and far down in the dusky gorge, from which the roar of the flood and crash of ice ascended, there were gleams of livid foam Still there wasof a relief when Mrs Stephen picked up her sewing and gave her daughter a lance To Foster's surprise, Lawrence interposed

”If you don't o” Then he turned to Foster with a smile ”It's obvious that you want to unbosoin You needn't be afraid ofDaly

Lucy knows”

Foster reirl's blush Since she knew so much, it was plain that Lawrence had asked her to ined that Lawrence wanted Mrs Stephen to hear soh it would have been easier to talk to Lawrence alone, he asked:

”Did you know the felloas in Banff a day or two since?”

Lucy Stephen made an abrupt movement, and her mother looked interested

She was a quiet lady and ent and firm

”I did not,” said Lawrence ”As a er afraid of the fellow and irl's shy glance at his comrade moved Foster She knehat her lover meant and valued his trust; but he could sympathize with Mrs

Stephen, who looked disturbed The latter was practical and no doubt saw that Daly in at the beginning, and then we'll understand why you caot on Daly's trail,” Lawrence resunation

”Very well; but first, why didn't you write?”

”I wrote twice Once to ot no letters Did you post theave the first letter to a steward to send ashore from a San Francisobat Walters put the other in the mail”

”Who is Walters?”

”We'll come to him later Get on with your story”

Foster told it as clearly as he could, though this took some time, and when he had finished was annoyed by his coh

”Jake is a born meddler,” he remarked to the others ”He can't resist the teht”