"Yes, but I should like to show him the document."
She turned and went upstairs. She was absent
at least ten minutes. When she returned
she was empty-handed.
"I am sorry to say," she remarked, with a
forced laugh, "that I have laid away the will
so carefully that I can't find it."
Ashcroft fixed a searching look upon her,
that evidently annoyed her.
"I may be able to find it to-morrow," she resumed.
"I think you told me, Paul," said Ashcroft,
turning to Dr. Crawford, "that by the will
your estate is divided equally between Carl
and Mrs. Crawford."
"Yes."
"And nothing is said of any guardianship
on the part of Mrs. Crawford?"
"No; I think it would be better, Ashcroft,
that you should be Carl's guardian. A man
can study his interests and control him better."
"I will accept the trust," said Ashcroft,
"though I hope it may be many years before
the necessity arises."
Mrs. Crawford bit her lips, and darted an
angry glance at the two friends. She foresaw
that her plans were threatened with failure.
The two men chatted throughout the evening,
and Dr. Crawford had never of late seemed happier.
It gave him new life and raised his spirits to chat
over old times with his early friend.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
A MAN OF ENERGY.
The next morning Ashcroft said to his host:
"Paul, let us take a walk to the village."
Dr. Crawford put on his hat, and went out
with his friend.
"Now, Paul," said Ashcroft, when they were
some rods distant from the house, "is there a
lawyer in Edgewood?"
"Certainly, and a good one.
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