I
can't understand how the absurd notion came into my mind."

"Things did look suspicious," said Foster, smiling.

"Well," resumed Featherstone, "except for that ridiculous interval, I
liked you from the beginning, as did my wife. Besides, it would be
very hard for either of us to refuse you anything, and if Alice is
satisfied--But there's another consideration; I understand from
Lawrence that your business is not large, and although Miss Stephen
wants him to extend it, this won't augment your share. Well, you
understand why I must ask you to wait a year, until we see how you get
on."

Foster, having succeeded better than he expected, thanked him and
agreed, and a few days later returned to the Crossing. The
Featherstones were coming to stay there for a time, and business
demanded his attention. He had long worked hard, but had now an object
that spurred him to almost savage activity. He resented the loss of
time when Walters was brought to trial and he had to attend the court.
The man was sentenced for robbery, and Foster's evidence, although
objected to by the defense, sufficed to prove that Fred Hulton had no
complicity in the theft.

A few weeks later, when Featherstone and his family were at the
Crossing, Hulton sent for Foster.

"I suppose you won't want to sell the mill?" he asked.

"No," said Foster. "Business looks like booming and our chances are
pretty good."

Hulton made a sign of agreement. "That's so. I reckon you could do a
bigger trade than you have the money to handle. However, I guess you
and Featherstone mean to continue the partnership?"

"Yes," said Foster, quietly, "we stick together."

"Although he is going to marry a lady who will invest some money in the
business? If your friendship stands that test, it must be pretty
sound. But I'd better state why I sent for you. Our trade is growing
fast, and there's a risk of our running short of half-worked material.
Well, if you won't sell your mill, you must enlarge it on a scale that
will enable you to keep us going, besides coping with your other
orders. I'm open to supply the capital, and have thought out a rough
proposition. Give him the paper, Percival."

The treasurer did so, and Foster studied the terms with keen
satisfaction.

"If there's anything you don't agree to, you can indicate it," Hulton
remarked.

Foster hesitated. "It's a very fair and liberal offer. But I wouldn't
like to take it, so to speak, as a rewa