ake on, Mr. Ralph. He was a good father to
you, and a fine gentleman, and one we all respected." Ralph still
sobbed, but put his hand on the old man's arm and leaned upon him.
"I hope, Mr. Ralph, that things was pretty well settled about the
property." Ralph shook his head, but did not speak. "A bargain is a
bargain, Mr. Ralph, and I suppose that this bargain was made. The
lawyers would know that it had been made."

"It don't matter about that, Mr. Walker," said Ralph; "but the estate
would go to my father's nephew as his heir." The farmer started as
though he had been shot. "You will have another landlord, Mr. Walker.
He can hardly be better than the one you have lost."

"Then, Mr. Ralph, you must bear it manly."

"I think that I can say that I will do that. It is not for the
property that I am crying. I hope you don't think that of me, Mr.
Walker."

[Illustration: "It is not for the property that I am crying."]

"No, no, no."

"I can bear that;--though it is hard the having to go away and live
among strange people. I think I shall get a farm somewhere, and see
if I can take a lesson from you. I don't know anything else that I
can do."

"You could have the Mordykes, Mr. Ralph," said Mr. Walker, naming a
holding on the Newton property as to which there were rumours that it
would soon be vacant.

"No, Mr. Walker, it mustn't be here. I couldn't stand that. I must
go away from this,--God knows where. I must go away from this, and I
shall never see the old place again!"

"Bear it manly, Mr. Ralph," said the farmer.

"I think I shall, after a bit. Good evening, Mr. Walker. I expect my
father's nephew every hour, and I ought to be up at the house when he
comes. I shall see you again before I go."

"Yes, yes; that's for certain," said the farmer. They were both
thinking of the day on which they would follow the old Squire to his
grave in Newton Peele churchyard.

Ralph re-entered the park, and hurried across to the house as though
he were afraid that he would be too late to receive the heir; but
there had been no arrival, nor had there come any message from the
other Ralph. Indeed up to this hour the news had not reached the
present owner of Newton Priory. The telegram had been duly delivered
at the Moonbeam, where the fortunate youth was staying; but he was
hunting on this day, riding the new horse which he had bought from
Mr. Pepper, and, up to this moment, did not know anything of that
which chance had