CHAPTER XXXIX.
A MAN OF ENERGY.
The next morning Ashcroft said to his host: "Paul, let us take a walk tothe village."
Dr. Crawford put on his hat, and went out with his friend.
"Now, Paul," said Ashcroft, when they were some rods distant from thehouse, "is there a lawyer in Edgewood?"
"Certainly, and a good one."
"Did he indite your will?"
"No; Mrs. Crawford wrote it out. She was at one time copyist for alawyer."
"Take my advice and have another drawn up to-day without mentioning thematter to her. She admits having mislaid the one made yesterday."
"It may be a good idea."
"Certainly, it is a prudent precaution. Then you will be sure that allis safe. I have, myself, executed a duplicate will. One I keep, theother I have deposited with my lawyer."
Ashcroft was a man of energy. He saw that Dr. Crawford, who was of aweak, vacillating temper, executed the will. He and another witnessedit, and the document was left with the lawyer.
"You think I had better not mention the matter to Mrs. Crawford?" hesaid.
"By no means--she might think it was a reflection upon her forcarelessly mislaying the first."
"True," and the doctor, who was fond of peace, consented to his friend'splan.
"By the way," asked Ashcroft, "who was your wife what was her name, Imean--before her second marriage?"
"She was a Mrs. Cook."
"Oh, I see," said Ashcroft, and his face lighted up with surprise andintelligence.
"What do you see?" inquired Dr. Crawford. "I thought your wife's facewas familiar. I met her once when she was Mrs. Cook."
"You knew her, then?"
"No, I never exchanged a word with her till I met her under this roof.
"How can I tell him that I first saw her when a visitor to thepenitentiary among the female prisoners?" Ashcroft asked himself. "Mypoor friend would sink with mortification."
They were sitting in friendly chat after their return from their walk,when Mrs. Crawford burst into the room in evident excitement.
"Husband," she cried, "Peter has brought home a terrible report. He hasheard from a person who has just come from Milford that Carl has beenrun over on the railroad and instantly killed!"
Dr. Crawford turned pale, his features worked convulsively, and he puthis hand to his heart, as he sank back in his chair, his face as pale asthe dead.
"Woman!" said Ashcroft, sternly, "I believe you have killed yourhusband!"
"Oh, don't say that! How could I be so imprudent?" said Mrs. Crawford,clasping her hands, and counterfeiting distress.
Ashcroft set himself at once to save his friend from the result of theshock.
"Leave the room!" he said, sternly, to Mrs. Crawford.
"Why should I? I am his wife."
"And have sought to be his murderer. You know that he has heart disease.Mrs.--Cook, I know more about you than you suppose."
Mrs. Crawford's color receded.
"I don't understand you," she said. She had scarcely reached the door,when there was a sound of footsteps outside and Carl dashed into theroom, nearly upsetting his stepmother.
"You here?" she said, frigidly.
"What is the matter with my father?" asked Carl.
"Are you Carl?" said Ashcroft, quickly.
"Yes."
"Your father has had a shock. I think I can soon bring him to."
A few minutes later Dr. Crawford opened his eyes.
"Are you feeling better, Paul?" asked Ashcroft, anxiously.
"Didn't I hear something about Carl--something terrible?"
"Carl is alive and well," said he, soothingly.
"Are you sure of that?" asked Dr. Crawford, in excitement.
"Yes, I have the best evidence of it. Here is Carl himself."
Carl came forward and was clasped in his father's arms.
"Thank Heaven, you are alive," he said.
"Why should I not be?" asked Carl, bewildered, turning to Ashcroft.
"Your stepmother had the--let me say imprudence, to tell your fatherthat you had been killed on the railroad."
"Where could she have heard such a report?"
"I am not sure that she heard it at all," said Ashcroft, in a low voice."She knew that your father had heart disease."
CHAPTER XL.
CONCLUSION.
At this moment Mrs. Crawford re-entered the room.
"What brings you here?" she demanded, coolly, of Carl.
"I came here because this is my father's house, madam."
"You have behaved badly to me," said Mrs. Crawford. "You have defiedmy authority, and brought sorrow and distress to your good father. Ithought you would have the good sense to stay away."
"Do you indorse this, father?" asked Carl, turning to Dr. Crawford.
"No!" answered his father, with unwonted energy. "My house will alwaysbe your home."
"You seem to have changed your mind, Dr. Crawford," sneered his wife.
"Where did you pick up the report of Carl's being killed on therailroad?" asked the doctor, sternly.
"Peter heard it in the village," said Mrs. Crawford, carelessly.
"Did it occur to you that the sudden news might injure your husband?"asked Ashcroft.
"I spoke too impulsively. I realize too late my imprudence," said Mrs.Crawford, coolly. "Have you lost your place?" she asked, addressingCarl.
"No. I have just returned from Chicago."
His stepmother looked surprised.
"We have had a quiet time since you left us," she said. "If you valueyour father's health and peace of mind, you will not remain here."
"Is my presence also unwelcome?" asked Ashcroft.
"You have not treated me with respect," replied Mrs. Crawford. "If youare a gentleman, you will understand that under the circumstances itwill be wise for you to take your departure."
"Leaving my old friend to your care?"
"Yes, that will be best."
"Mr. Ashcroft, can I have a few minutes' conversation with you?" askedCarl.
"Certainly."
They left the room together, followed by an uneasy and suspicious glancefrom Mrs. Crawford.
Carl hurriedly communicated to his father's friend what he had learnedabout his stepmother.
"Mr. Cook, Peter's father, is just outside," he said. "Shall I call himin?"
"I think we had better do so, but arrange that the interview shall takeplace without your father's knowledge. He must not be excited. Call himin, and then summon your stepmother."
"Mrs. Crawford," said Carl, re-entering his father's room, "Mr. Ashcroftwould like to have a few words with you. Can you come out?"
She followed Carl uneasily.
"What is it you want with me, sir?" she asked, frigidly.
"Let me introduce an old acquaintance of yours."
Mr. Cook, whom Mrs. Crawford had not at first observed, came forward.She drew back in dismay.
"It is some time since we met, Lucy," said Cook, quietly.
"Do you come here to make trouble?" she muttered, hoarsely.
"I come to ask for the property you took during my absence inCalifornia," he said. "I don't care to have you return to me----"
"I obtained a divorce."
"Precisely; I don't care to annul it. I am thankful that you are nolonger my wife."
"I--I will see what I can do for you. Don't go near my present husband.He is in poor health, and cannot bear a shock."
"Mrs. Crawford," said Ashcroft, gravely, "if you have any idea ofremaining here, in this house, give it up. I shall see that yourhusband's eyes are opened to your real character."
"Sir, you heard this man say that he has no claim upon me."
"That may be, but I cannot permit my friend to harbor a woman whoserecord is as bad as yours."
"What do you mean?" she demanded, defiantly.
"I mean that you have served a term in prison for larceny."
"It is false," she sa
id, with trembling lips.
"It is true. I visited the prison during your term of confinement, andsaw you there."
"I, too, can certify to it," said Cook. "I learned it two years after mymarriage. You will understand why I am glad of the divorce."
Mrs. Crawford was silent for a moment. She realized that the battle waslost.
"Well," she said, after a pause, "I am defeated. I thought my secret wassafe, but I was mistaken. What do you propose to do with me?"
"I will tell you this evening," said Ashcroft. "One thing I can saynow--you must not expect to remain in this house."
"I no longer care to do so."
A conference was held during the afternoon, Dr Crawford being told asmuch as was essential. It was arranged that Mrs. Crawford should havean allowance of four hundred dollars for herself and Peter if she wouldleave the house quietly, and never again annoy her husband. Mr. Cookoffered to take Peter, but the latter preferred to remain with hismother. A private arrangement was made by which Dr. Crawford made up toMr. Cook one-half of the sum stolen from him by his wife, and throughthe influence of Ashcroft, employment was found for him. He is no longera tramp, but a man held in respect, and moderately prosperous.
Carl is still in the employ of Mr. Jennings, and his father has removedto Milford, where he and his son can live together. Next September, onhis twenty-first birthday, Carl will be admitted to a junior partnershipin the business, his father furnishing the necessary capital. Carl'sstepmother is in Chicago, and her allowance is paid to her quarterlythrough a Chicago bank. She has considerable trouble with Peter, whohas become less submissive as he grows older, and is unwilling to settledown to steady work. His prospects do not look very bright.
Mr. Jennings and Hannah are as much attached as ever to Carl, and itis quite likely the manufacturer will make him his heir. Happy in thesociety of his son, Dr. Crawford is likely to live to a good old age, inspite of his weakness and tendency to heart disease, for happiness is agreat aid to longevity.
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