The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-03-17
GEOFFERY HAWKHRST'S
 WILL.

A1NW fAlAul Sls Ncbo uCdu anu SOjlC and laid to rest in the family vault in Ripplington churchyard; some said it was good thing, too others, after calm consideration and recollecting sum- dry favors were of opinion that the old gentleman was not so bad as he might have been, but the remark of one old crony, that he'd never bide where they'd put him., sank down into many minds unenlightened at that time by the board-school education.
 The squire's will, dated five years previously, left everything to his nephew, Reginald Hawkhurst, to the exclusion of Lettice Beauclerk,l nee Hawkhurst, the old mans only daugh- ter. She had married against his con- sent, but there was no peculiarity in that, for nothing would have persuad- ed him to give his consent to her mar rlage with any man living. Neverthe- less a reconciliation had taken place The lawyers asserted that there had been later will, and diligent search was made, in which MT. Reginald Hawkhurst took a prominent part so prominent, in fact, that Eustace Beau clerk remarked to his wife:
 Its my belief that Reginald knows all about it."
 "He is very kind and straightfor- ward. I don't agree with you his wife replied.
 Very likely, my dear; you wouldn't be the sweet little woman you are if you thought differently; you judge others by yourself. I, on the contrary opine that Reginald, with all his smooth-faced plausibility, would rob you of a red-hot stove if he could carry 1t away"
 'Poor Reggie! Don't be hard on him"
 "Not I; he's got the pudding, though your father never intended him to have 1t, and I have got the plum. He has done away with the old mans will, I'm certain of it; but" Eustace stopped short and kissed his bonny it- tie wife.
 The medical man who had attended the case had sought in vain to obtain permission to make a post-mortem eX- animation - medical science seventy years ago was less advanced than it is now. He had no doubt of the cause of death, but he would have liked to obtain a closer knowledge of the ef- fleets of the malady. So he thought it over and determined to obtain by stealth what he could not arrive at openly. It was not unusual in those days.
 A dun mare attached to spring cart stood disconsolately with dropping ears in the shadow of the churchyard wall of Rippington. It was cold, starlight night in December, with pinch of black frost crisping the turf and caus- ing the dead leaves to rustic. A fine old yew tree spread it's limbs in solemn benediction over the crumbling graye- stones and filtered fitfully the ray of crescent moon which was gradually sinking toward the horizon.
 Two figures made their way stealth fly towards the Hawkhurst vault, keep Ing close to the northern wall of the church The older man was wary and lnethodical, the youngs showed reluc- tance.
 TT don't half like this job, Bill, he said as they halted at the iron railings, sIt's a swinging job If we're caught"
 LOT It's nothing when you're used to it. and it's easier to earn twenty pounds like this ere than anyway else. I likes to be amongst old friends" He chuckled grimlv. And as for being ketched, there's not a soul in Ripping ton would face this ere
 ,1, l,n ,rio itnHpr his he produced white smock frock which he placed upon a stick, stretching the sleeves upon another stick tied trans yersely; a battered beaver hat sur mounted the whole, and Bill chuckled again.
 .'Darned if it ain't like i'm as two peas,'' he said. Now have a suck at this here bottle Jim, and we'll get out the squire hisself."
 The masons had not fixed the stone which covered the steps leading to the vault Blll's crowbar raised 1t easily and he descended cautiously before he lit his lantern. Jim hesitated, but the rum in the black bottle gave him cour- age and he followed.
 'T owe i'm grudge-he 'oswhipped me once-but I allow he's pretty qulet now" Bill said, deftly plying screw driver.
 "Too-oo-oo' up above made Jim start and nearly upset the lantern
 "T.or' bless ee, what be you scared about? Dead folk hold their tongues Have e never heard an owl?'
 q thought I heard fotsteps, Jim said apologetically'
 "Steps? There won't be no steps while that there keeps guard up above. Tend hand now, Lew Syers said there wasn't no lead coffin, cos he helned carry it. There heels! HeVe a-cussed me a sight of time; it's odd not to hear him begin
 In a few minutes the corpse was clothed in some old garments, and the twn men bore it up the steps and re- nlaoed the stone Jim breathing more freely when he reached the outer air; five minutes fore the dun mare was in singing trot, the body of the old son,re crowned with the beaver hat seated up between the two men in the trap.
 "Glass of rum hot at the Dog and Gun wouldn't be amiss, Jim,' Bill said, breaking a silence. "The old gentleman ain,t good company somehow, and we mustn't be It Fordington before mid night
 All was ccld and silent. The old squire's chin dropped upon his chest,