By Berwen Banks

"It's very well for you to talk," said Essec Powell. "You are a rich

man--I am poor; everything you see here belongs to Shoni, and it is

very hard that Valmai should have all my brother's money, and I be left

with none."

"I think it is hard," said Mr. Lewis Wynne, "and as my nephew will be a

very wealthy man, I am certain that he and his wife will be willing to

pay you every year the amount which you lost by your brother's will."

"You think that?" said Essec Powell; "150 pounds a year--you think they

would give me that?"

"I am sure they would; in fact, I can give you my word for it."

"Well, indeed," he said, laying his book upside down carefully on the

table, "that will make me a happy man. I can soon pay off Shoni, and

then I can sleep at night without feeling that my servant is my master;

and, more than all, I can give all my time to my book that I am

writing."

"What is it?" said the Vicar, no longer able to restrain his interest

in the old books which littered the table.

"Well, it is the history of our own county from as far back as I can

trace it; and, oh! you wouldn't believe," he said, "how many

interesting facts I have gathered together. I was not meant for a

preacher, and I am getting too old and worn-out to travel about the

country. I would like to give up preaching and spend all my time with

my books. And with 150 pounds a year! Why, I would be a prince

indeed!"

"Well, you may tell your congregation next Sunday," said Lewis Wynne,

"that they had better take heed to their own ways now, for that you are

going to retire from the ministry."

"And thank God for that," said Essec Powell; "it will be enough for me

to look after my own wicked ways. Indeed, I feel I am not fit to teach

others ever since I turned Valmai out of the house."

"I see you have here 'Mona Antiqua,'" said the Vicar. "I have a copy

in very good preservation, and I am sure I might be able to give you a

good many interesting facts for your book gathered from some old MSS.

which I found stowed away in the old church tower."

"Can you, now? can you, indeed?"

And the two antiquarians bent with deep interest over the musty books

on the table.

Two hours slipped away very pleasantly to the two old men before the

visitors took their departure.

At the door Essec Powell held Lewis Wynne's hand for a moment.

"Do you think the little gel will forgive me? and do you think the

young fellow will find her?"