Evening star., 1941-10-06

walk, she heard the telephone She
couldn't get used to the extensions
in every room; she picked up the
phone in time to hear Shirley
speaking. Felicity replaced the re-
ceiver and with the children went
outdoors.
They romped in the warm. color
full woods near the rivers edge un-
til they were all breathless and hot
Then they trooped back to the
house. Mrs. Fowler met them at the
door. her long. slender hands clasped
against her black dress.
Mr. Harrington phoned for Mrs.
Harrington and Jane to take the car
into town, miss" she said in her
clipped voice Mrs. Harrington said
to tell you the excursion would have
to wait until tomorrow"
After luncheon Felicity set the,
children to work writing to their
father. 1t was a laborious process.
for Hilary, who clutched his pencil
fiercely and stuck his tongue be-
tween his small. red lips. Elaine
hunched her shoulders over the desk
and propped her head on her left
arm. Her long, brown hair hung
like a curtain across her shoulders
Felicity. in a chair by the fireplace
in the playroom, scratched hur-
ried note to Tom and then set about
writing to the childrens father.
The Situation Changes.
She pondered a long time over
that letter. She hated to alarm him:
he'd not read the letter for month
at least, and by then all danger
might be over. He could do nothing
at that distance, and in the midst
OF war.
The long, dreary afternoon hung
like weight over Felicity. forced
to entertain the children while she
was filled with foreboding. At last
the car came up the drive and Fe-
hcity managed to be in the hall
when Ames opened the door She
looked eagerly for Shirley but Jane
and Harrington came in without her.
Wild alarm filled Felicity and she
turned back to the playroom when
Harrington spoke.
Come into my study, please, Miss
NeWgate. Now"
In the study Harrington stood
with his back to the windows and
faced Felicity. The harsh lines of
his face were unrelaXed, his eyes
hard.
Things will be a bit different
here after this, Miss Newgate Mrs
Fowler will take actual charge of
the children. You will, Of course,
continue to care for them, hear
their lessons. keep them amused and
quiet" Felicity heard the slight
emphasis on the last word. ANY
decisions will be left to Mrs. Fowler,
however"
But the children'S aunt?"
Mrs. Harrington has been unwell
lately. She has been obsessed by
strange notions which were entirely
unfounded. I have thought it best
to send her to a sanitarium to re-
cover" His harsh voice went on
relentlessly. Il shall not divulge
where she is lest she be disturbed
by communications from here"
From me, he means, thought
Felicity. He's trapped US all
There are several other things,
Miss Newgate I did not approve
of your coming. But you are here.
I cannot keep you against your will.
Do you wish to leave? Leave the
children. that means"
Felicity regarded him with cold
fury and dread. A faint flicker
came into his eyes momentarily.
How coldly he calculates" she
thought He knows won't leave
the children"
A Frank Discussion.
The control in her clear voice
astoUnded her as she listened like
an outsider to herself. And what
are the conditions of my remaining,
Mr.. harrington? I cannot imagine
that in a plan so beautifully pre-
pared 1 have been overlooked"
Il studied you last night. Miss
Newgate. You do not surprise me
now with your spirit and your con-
troll. You are right. You have a
part"
Harrington sat down and mo-
toned to Felicity to sit also. She
shook her head and remained where
she was.
"Strasson told me he had met YOU
on the boat. Quite enamored, I'd
say"
He waited for her to reply. When
she did not he went on with a slight
shrug of the shoulders. 1T also
seemed to me that you did not
rot,,rr, HE fee1irrn Again his eVeA