ords 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----"

"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