bought up mortgages. On three or four occasions he had been a business
rival of Foster and Featherstone's, and the former thought he might not
have forgiven them for beating him.

"It's possible," he said thoughtfully. "But you don't imagine Daly
told him what he knows about you?"

"I should think it most unlikely," Featherstone rejoined. "Daly means
to keep all he can get for himself, but if he gave Austin a hint that
he could injure me, the fellow might be willing to help. He's pretty
often up against us; but we'll let that go. You're a friend of Carmen
Austin's, and as you'll meet her at the reunion, it might be better if
you didn't tell her I have changed my plans. Of course, I don't mean
to hint that she has anything to do with her father's schemes."

Foster laughed. He liked Carmen Austin and was mildly flattered by the
favor she showed him, but thought he knew her well enough not to attach
much importance to this. Carmen was clever and ambitious, and would,
no doubt, choose a husband who had wealth and influence. Though very
young, she was the acknowledged leader of society at the Crossing.

"You needn't be afraid of hurting my feelings," he said. "To some
extent I do enjoy Miss Austin's patronage, but I know my drawbacks and
don't cherish any foolish hopes. If I did, I believe she'd tactfully
nip them in the bud."

"On the whole, I'm pleased to hear it," Featherstone replied. "Now, if
you don't mind, there's something I want to read."