"
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.
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