had escaped death was not s fault and the dead man was practically a murderer but the � the lost in the excitement of finding their alive began to overlook s share in the matter the question most frequently asked was whether would resume his charge of the parish seeing that his successor had been appointed but all talk on this point was ended when it became known that the inflicted on the unfortunate man both by being struck down and by being buried alive had so shaken his system that he was not likely to live was attending to him and did so in an entirely sober state as his narrow escape from trouble kept him away from the drink indeed regarded the whole matter as a blessing in disguise and hoped that her father would reform he had every reason to do so seeing what a lesson he had received with regard to his giving a of death s fellow held that he was perfectly justified since the had been in a trance but the villagers headed by held that dr had been drunk at the time when he examined the body and this opinion was not favorable to s reputation however when it was seen that he had turned over a new leaf his conduct was considered more kindly and the doctor began to hope that he would weather the storm but it had very nearly wrecked him and the escape he had had greatly improved his character in time by acting and keeping strictly sober he managed to his position a week later when ever in connection with the catastrophe was quite settled made his appearance at the big house he was more subdued than usual as he also had learned a lesson but there remained something of his old manner when a final surprise he entered the library and produced john s will from his pocket guessed that his cousin had come to demand a settlement and himself to face a disagreeable future it was not pleasant to become a but there seemed to be nothing for it but to accept the inevitable yet it was not so much the loss of the money which the young man regretted as the probable loss of as his wife knew his cousin well enough to be sure that once in the possession of the estates and income he would not be inclined to permit the marriage to take place and seeing that he was likely to be poor it was useless for the girl to insist upon the fulfilment of the engagement it was with a sad face and a weary heart that asked to take a seat i suppose you have called to discuss matters regarding the will he said leaning his head on his hand and speaking quietly in a way though i don t see that there is anything to discuss retorted who was rapidly his former ways a you have to do is to clear out and allow me to come here walk out bag and baggage you mean something of that sort i don t mind giving you one hundred pounds with which to make a new start in life if i were you i would go to with when he and what about she is not for you said resolutely as the daughter of the squire of she must marry a man with a position does say so inquired quietly said the affectionate parent is as obstinate as a pig she is coming here in a few minutes the lost to argue the matter i told her that i intended to settle the matter of the will to day but she shan t marry you with my consent and as i have the money you can see that it would be wrong of you to drag her down to poverty you put the case very plainly how else do you expect me to put it said the other who was not in the least ashamed of the cowardly way in which he was you might have a little more consideration for my position remarked with a shrug what consideration did you ever show to me looked at the little man in amazement i have always been your good friend he said after a pause i have given you money and my own money interrupted the visitor much thanks for that it won t do i won t allow you to work on my feelings i never knew that you had any to work on no more i have i want justice and justice i intend to have don t make such a row over the matter said contemptuously you shall have what you want but you can scarcely expect me to walk out of this house this very minute we must take the will to the lawyers and have it gone into since you are so i am inclined to defend my position there is the of to be considered and there is me to be considered said a quiet voice at the door and the two turned to see at the door you have been listening snapped her father a final surprise yes i have she replied boldly and what i have heard shows me what a cruel nature you have father don t speak to me in that way furiously oh yes i shall and entered to place her hand on s shoulder as if to give him confidence you have not got s money yet but i shall get it the will is plain enough before could reply rose to his feet and made a gesture that she should be silent has something to say about the will he remarked and had you not come over i should have sent for you wishes to see you and me and if to try on any said uneasily for the summons seemed strange and ominous to him he ll find 