f Edgewood Center. Carl was
delighted, for he had not been home, or seen any home friends for over a
year.

"I am glad to see you, Mr. Robinson," he said, offering his hand.

"What! Carl Crawford!" exclaimed Robinson, in amazement. "How came you
in Chicago? Your father did not tell me you were here."

"He does not know it. I am only here on a business visit. Tell me, Mr.
Robinson, how is my father?"

"I think, Carl, that he is not at all well. I am quite sure he misses
you, and I don't believe your stepmother's influence over him is
beneficial. Just before I came away I heard a rumor that troubled me. It
is believed in Edgewood that she is trying to induce your father to make
a will leaving all, or nearly all his property to her and her son."

"I don't care so much for that, Mr. Robinson, as for my father's
health."

"Carl," said Robinson, significantly, "if such a will is made I don't
believe your father will live long after it."

"You don't mean that?" said Carl, horror-struck.

"I think Mrs. Crawford, by artful means will worry your father to death.
He is of a nervous temperament, and an unscrupulous woman can shorten
his life without laying herself open to the law."

Carl's face grew stern.

"I will save my father," he said, "and defeat my stepmother's wicked
schemes."

"I pray Heaven you can. There is no time to be lost."

"I shall lose no time, you may be sure. I shall be at Edgewood within a
week."

CHAPTER XXXVI.

MAKING A WILL.

In Edgewood Center events moved slowly. In Carl Crawford's home dullness
reigned supreme. He had been the life of the house, and his absence,
though welcome to his stepmother, was seriously felt by his father, who
day by day became thinner and weaker, while his step grew listless and
his face seldom brightened with a smile. He was anxious to have Carl at
home again, and the desire became so strong that he finally broached the
subject.

"My dear," he said one day at the breakfast table, "I have been thinking
of Carl considerably of late."

"Indeed!" said Mrs. Crawford, coldly.

"I think I should like to have him at home once more."

Mrs. Crawford smiled ominously.

"He is better off where he is," she said, softly.

"But he is my only son, and I never see him," pleaded her husband.

"You know very well, Dr. Crawford," rejoined his wife, "that your son
only made trouble in the house while he was here."

"Yet it seems hard that he should be driven from h