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."

"Did he indite your will?"

"No; Mrs. Crawford wrote it out. She was at one time copyist for a
lawyer."

"Take my advice and have another drawn up to-day without mentioning the
matter to her. She admits having mislaid the one made yesterday."

"It may be a good idea."

"Certainly, it is a prudent precaution. Then you will be sure that all
is safe. I have, myself, executed a duplicate will. One I keep, the
other I have deposited with my lawyer."

Ashcroft was a man of energy. He saw that Dr. Crawford, who was of a
weak, vacillating temper, executed the will. He and another witnessed
it, and the document was left with the lawyer.

"You think I had better not mention the matter to Mrs. Crawford?" he
said.

"By no means--she might think it was a reflection upon her for
carelessly mislaying the first."

"True," and the doctor, who was fond of peace, consented to his friend's
plan.

"By the way," asked Ashcroft, "who was your wife what was her name, I
mean--before her second marriage?"