"She was a Mrs. Cook."

"Oh, I see," said Ashcroft, and his face lighted up with surprise and
intelligence.

"What do you see?" inquired Dr. Crawford. "I thought your wife's face
was 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 the
penitentiary among the female prisoners?" Ashcroft asked himself. "My
poor 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 has
heard from a person who has just come from Milford that Carl has been
run over on the railroad and instantly killed!"

Dr. Crawford turned pale, his features worked convulsively, and he put
his hand to his heart, as he sank back in his chair, his face as pale as
the dead.

"Woman!" said Ashcroft, sternly, "I believe you have killed your
husband!"

"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 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