Ashcroft set himself at once to save his friend from the result of the shock.
“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 the room, 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 father that 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 defied my authority, and brought sorrow and distress to your good father. I thought 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 always be 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 the railroad?” 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, addressing Carl.
“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 value your 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 you are a gentleman, you will understand that under the circumstances it will 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?” asked Carl.
“Certainly.”
They left the room together, followed by an uneasy and suspicious glance from Mrs. Crawford.
Carl hurriedly communicated to his father’s friend what he had learned about his stepmother.
“Mr. Cook, Peter’s father, is just outside,” he said. “Shall I call him in?”
“I think we had better do so, but arrange that the interview shall take place without your father’s knowledge. He must not be excited. Call him in, and then summon your stepmother.”
“Mrs. Crawford,” said Carl, re-entering his father’s room, “Mr. Ashcroft would 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 in California,” he said. “I don’t care to have you return to me—-”