"
"So you can, for there he is coming up the street."
Gilbert looked in the direction indicated,
and his glance fell on a thin, fragile-looking
man, evidently an invalid, with a weak,
undecided face, who was slowly approaching.
The boy advanced to meet him, and, taking
off his hat, asked politely: "Is this Dr. Crawford?"
CHAPTER IV.
AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE.
Dr. Crawford stopped short, and eyed Gilbert attentively.
"I don't know you," he said, in a querulous tone.
"I am a schoolmate of your son, Carl.
My name is Gilbert Vance."
"If you have come to see my son you will
be disappointed. He has treated me in a
shameful manner. He left home yesterday
morning, and I don't know where he is."
"I can tell you, sir. He is staying--for a
day or two--at my father's house."
"Where is that?" asked Dr. Crawford, his
manner showing that he was confused.
"In Warren, thirteen miles from here."
"I know the town. What induced him to
go to your house? Have you encouraged him
to leave home?" inquired Dr. Crawford, with
a look of displeasure.
"No, sir. It was only by chance that I met
him a mile from our home. I induced him to
stay overnight."
"Did you bring me any message from him?"
"No, sir, except that he is going to strike
out for himself, as he thinks his home an
unhappy one."
"That is his own fault. He has had enough
to eat and enough to wear. He has had as
comfortable a home as yourself."
"I don't doubt that, but he complains that
his stepmother is continually finding fault
with him, and scolding him.
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