"Is this a proper will, Steve?" asked Ida looking at the paper. "No. Frisco brought it here to-day to cause trouble. But as you see there are no witnesses, so it is not valid." "And yet you want to offer me half the money." "Take it, Bess," cried Ida, "I am sure Stephen and I can live well on four thousand a year." "I won't," said Bess, "these were the Colonel's intentions--very kind I'm sure. But even if the will were legal I should not accept. Jim, am I not right?" "Perfectly right, darling. You and I will make our own way." "It's all nonsense," said Stephen, "you must take some money. It is only fair that the Colonel's intentions should be respected in some way." There was a great deal of argument. Finally Bess and Dr. Herrick agreed to take one thousand a year for life. "There," said Ida kissing her sister, "I hope that is all right." "And now Jim will go away," said Stephen gloomily. "Not until the year's end, and until the money is firmly in your possession," was the reply of the doctor, "remember you have some months' visits to pay to that vault. Even though Frisco has gone we must carry out the will." "And at the end of the year?" "I'll establish myself in practice somewhere," said Dr. Herrick, "perhaps in Beorminster so as to be near you. Bess can then go on writing for the 'Weekly Chronicle.'" "Indeed, I shall write a novel," cried Bess, "I want a London fame." And so it was settled. For a year Herrick remained at "The Pines" with the Squire. Then there was a double wedding. Ida and Stephen came back to live in the Wicked Colonel's house, and Dr. Herrick and his bride established himself in a comfortable mansion in Beorminster. He became immensely popular, and also having married into a county family, he was much sought after by the county invalids. Frank and Sidney were left at Biffstead and Flo came home to keep house for them. The Rev. Pentland Corn gave up his charge of the Parish, and went out to the East as a missionary. No one could understand the reason for this folly--as they called it--save Herrick. He understood only too well, and his was the last hand Pentland Corn clasped when he left England for India. His place was taken by a young and amiable rector, who will probably marry Flo Endicotte. Then Frank will have to keep the house himself or marry in self-defence.