without hope,
although it was evident that he had received a terrible blow. Since his
marriage he had placed all worldly concerns in Susan's hands--no child
could have known less than he did how to manage them--the consequences
were inevitable. The vicar got into debt, not very deeply at first, a
few pounds only, but to these few pounds others were gradually added.

The vicar had a faithful servant, Jane Hayes, who, when a girl, had come
to him and Mrs Hartley on their marriage, for her food and enough wages
to buy clothes. Jane went and went again to the shops for such
provisions as she considered the vicar and Master Owen required.

One was too ill, the other too young to make inquiries or consider how
they were to be paid for. When by chance any tradesman demurred, Jane
was very indignant, asserting confidently that the vicar would pay for
whatever he had when his dues came in.

Mr Hartley now no longer rose from his bed. A neighbouring clergyman,
not much better off than himself, came over occasionally to perform the
duty in the church, getting his own done by a relative who was paying
him a visit. Mr Hartley, although ready to depart, clung to existence
for the sake of his boy. When he had sufficient strength to speak, he
repeated to young Owen the advice and exhortations he had constantly
given him when in health. They came now, however, with greater force
than ever from the lips of the dying man, and words which before had
been heard unheeded, now sank deeply into the heart of the boy.

Young Owen knew nothing of the world, he had never left home, but he was
thus really better prepared to encounter its dangers and difficulties
than many who go forth, confident in their own strength and courage. He
scarcely had, hitherto, realised the fact that his father was to be
taken from him.

"My boy," said the village doctor, as he led him into his father's room,
"you must be prepared for the worst."

These words made Owen feel sick at heart.

While the vicar clasped the hand of his boy, and gazed into that beloved
young face, his gentle spirit winged its flight to heaven, and Owen knew
that he was an orphan. He was not aware, however, how utterly destitute
he had been left. The vicar had to the last been under the impression
that the larger portion of Susan's fortune, for so he was pleased to
call it, still remained, and that it would be sufficient to start Owen
in life. He had paid great attention to th