d the churchyard.
Yes, the workmen were at their work--taking down the bells.
"If the time were to come over again, Harry," began Captain Monk as they
were walking homeward, he leaning upon his nephew's arm, "I wouldn't
have them put up. They don't seem to have brought luck somehow, as the
parish has been free to say. Not but that must be utter nonsense."
"Well, no they don't, uncle," assented Harry.
"As one grows in years, one gets to look at things differently, lad.
Actions that seemed laudable enough when one's blood was young and hot,
crop up again then, wearing another aspect. But for those chimes, poor
West would not have have died as he did. I have had him upon my mind a
good bit lately."
Surely Captain Monk was wonderfully changing! And he was leaning heavily
upon Harry's arm.
"Are you tired, uncle? Would you like to sit down on this bench and
rest?"
"No, I'm not tired. It's West I'm thinking about. He lies on my mind
sadly. And I never did anything for the wife or child to atone to them!
It's too late now--and has been this many a year."
Harry Carradyne's heart began to beat a little. Should he say what he
had been hoping to say sometime? He might never have a better
opportunity than this.
"Uncle Godfrey," he spoke in low tones, "would you--would you like to
see Mr. West's daughter? His wife has been dead a long while; but--would
you like to see her--Alice?"
"Ay," fervently spoke the old man. "If she be in the land of the living,
bring her to me. I'll tell her how sorry I am, and how I would undo the
past if I could. And I'll ask her if she'll be to me as a daughter."
So then Harry Carradyne told him all. It was Alice West who was already
under his roof, and who, fate and fortune permitting, _Heaven_
permitting, would sometime be Alice Carradyne.
Down sat Captain Monk on a bench of his own accord. Tears rose to his
eyes. The sudden revulsion of feeling was great: and truly he was a
changed man.
"You spoke of Heaven, Harry. I shall begin to think it has forgiven me.
Let us be thankful."
But Captain Monk found he had more to thank Heaven for ere many minutes
had elapsed. As Harry Carradyne sat by him in silence, marvelling at the
change, yet knowing that the grievous blow which was making havoc of
Eliza had effected the completeness of the subduing, he caught sight of
an approaching fly. Another fly from the railway station at Evesham.
"How dare you come here, you villain!" shout
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