In no long time Mrs. Maynard and Mary Blackett appeared, smiling
through their tears of joy at their great deliverance. The latter had
so grown that George hardly recognized her. All came up except the old
Squire, and he was presently found in an alarming condition, one of
his old heart attacks having come on. It was the only drawback to the
joy of the meeting and the ending of the danger that had threatened
the household.
Early next morning word was carried to the Fairburns that Squire
Blackett was dead; he had never recovered from the shock and the
seizure consequent thereon.
"Poor old neighbour!" Fairburn said, with a mournful shake of the
head, "I am afraid he has left things in a sorry state."
Fairburn's fears were only too well founded. Mr. Blackett had left
little or nothing, and Matthew and his sister would be but
indifferently provided for. Then it was that Fairburn came out like a
man. He proposed to run the colliery for their benefit. To the world
it was to appear that the collieries had been amalgamated or rather
that the Blackett pit had been bought up by his rival. The advantage
to Matthew and Mary was too obvious to be rejected, and the required
arrangements were made. Before the time came for the three young
officers to go back to their duties they had the satisfaction of
seeing Mrs.
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