Chapter XL. Conclusion - Page 2

"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----"

"I obtained a divorce."

"Precisely; I don't care to annul it. I am thankful that you are no longer 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 of remaining here, in this house, give it up. I shall see that your husband'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 whose record 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 said, with trembling lips.

"It is true. I visited the prison during your term of confinement, and saw you there."

"I, too, can certify to it," said Cook. "I learned it two years after my marriage. You will understand why I am glad of the divorce."

Mrs. Crawford was silent for a moment. She realized that the battle was lost.

"Well," she said, after a pause, "I am defeated. I thought my secret was safe, but I was mistaken. What do you propose to do with me?"

"I will tell you this evening," said Ashcroft. "One thing I can say now--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 as much as was essential. It was arranged that Mrs. Crawford should have an allowance of four hundred dollars for herself and Peter if she would leave the house quietly, and never again annoy her husband. Mr. Cook offered to take Peter, but the latter preferred to remain with his mother. A private arrangement was made by which Dr. Crawford made up to Mr. Cook one-half of the sum stolen from him by his wife, and through the influence of Ashcroft, employment was found for him. He is no longer a tramp, but a man held in respect, and moderately prosperous.

Carl is still in the employ of Mr. Jennings, and his father has removed to Milford, where he and his son can live together. Next September, on his twenty-first birthday, Carl will be admitted to a junior partnership in the business, his father furnishing the necessary capital. Carl's stepmother is in Chicago, and her allowance is paid to her quarterly through a Chicago bank. She has