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and those Giimers, I cannot comprehend ; of course, with Mr. and Mrs. Warburton it is the same as yourself—you and they are doing a good, kind action. I asked Miss Warburton to befriend her, and glad I was to raise up, if I could, more friends for the poor little fatherless and motherless girl whom, it seemed to me, God had sent to me. And they—the Warburtou family—have, in their way, been as kind as you yourself. They have done their best. The others Ido not understand. I know the other sisters tried to, and actually did, borrow money of Ida, but 1 stopped that, pretty roughly to. I received a very kind letter—the first and only one —from Mrs. Gordon to-day :if you care to see it I will send it to you. I quite agree with you :if it were possible for a man to ' back out ' under such circumstances as the present he would not be worth kicking, and, if you please, whatever I may be, my father was a gentleman. About Ida's reluming to work, 1 quite agree with you :it cannot be thought of for a long time : I ha"-c told Ida so. If you would please see Mr. Kirkcaldie and ask him to give her another chance some months hence ; of course, we will be all grateful. I know full well how difficult such employment is to obtain; but, of course, you will agree with me : we cannot have the child killed or injured for life, and that is now threatened. I hope with all my heart you are better, also poor little Evelyn. I dare say she also feels languid and tired. Of course, whenever you return, and tell me to come, I will at once ask the Secretary's leave; but, as you know, that leave I must have before I dare stir; but I dare say he would grant it. And now, dear Mrs. Eose, does any one get even thanks for what one does. Yes ; I think Ida grateful both to you and me, and what matters the family, and such like. I don't mind lam sure. I thank you most sincerely, and hope you are much better. Please give my love to the children, and believe me, very faithfully and respectfully yours, A. Livingston.—l have not heard from Mr. Kirkcaldie." "Blenheim, 20th December, 1888. —Dear Mrs. Hose, —Your letter just received. I am grieved indeed to hear of all your troubles and worries. Ido not think I have made myself well understood. I did not mean that 1 would come over for Christmas, but that I would ask for leave whenever you told me to do so, feeling that it was but right that as much as I was able I should do as you bade me. But I am very glad lam not wanted just now, for I am crushed with work; indeed Ido not think the Secretary would permit me to leave. I therefore repeat, when the time comes that you think it necessary and advisable that I should come, please say so, and 1 will ask the Secretary for permission. Of course, it is not necessary for me to say both that your directions with regard to Ida's sister shall be attended to; also that, with all my heart, I agree to the necessary expense, as directed by the doctor—that 'goes without saying,' the French proverb has it. Of course, it is reasonable that Ida's sister should bo referred to you, but it is also but right that the matter should be settled: and settle it we soon will. The one trouble is that Mr. Kirkcaldie thinks well of the sister, and believes she is acting from sheer sisterly love and kindness ; and I would do much not to offend Mr. Kirkcaldie. It seems to me he has acted with great kindness and consideration throughout, and I would do much not to offend him in any way. On the other side, I think it must be admitted that Ida has done her very best —has worked hard and conducted herself well. Otherwise he would —indeed he could—not have acted as he has done. And perhaps he also thinks that the child has strained herself trying to perform his service well. But for all that he is deserving of many thanks. One thing through all this trouble I rejoice at. Certainly your recommendation has not been illbestowed. Ida has tried her very best. I think this must now be admitted. I shall be glad when Mr. Rose returns. Other people are afraid of the Inspector. I somehow feel I have a friend at head-quarters while he is there—that is, of course,"while I do my duty, but then I try to do that. And now, dear Mrs. Eose, please give my love to the children, and remember me kindly to Mr. Eose, and please accept my best thanks for all your kindness and trouble during this year, and I do hope that you and Evelyn will soon be all right again; and I remain, always very faithfully and respectfully yours, A. Livingston." Me. Gully's Statement. Mr. Gully, solicitor, made the following statement: Mrs. Eoso and Miss Prince came to my office, I think it was the first time, on the 10th January. The letter from Mr. Livingston to Ida Prince was produced ; also the savings-bank book, I think, showing the deposit in Mrs. Eose's name. 874. The Chairman. J You are referring to the first letter? —Yes; the one written before his death to Ida Prince. 1 was asked to advise as to the effect of this letter, which I did. I read out the letter —the material parts, at all events, but I think the whole of it. I informed Mrs. Eose and Ida Prince that the effect of the letter, apparently, was to vest £100 in her (Prince) and £400 in Miss Warburton ; but I suggested that it was possible, as Miss Warburton was absent, she might have some document showing the intention of Mr. Livingston in regard to her, and in the meantime I said that I thought this document was sufficient, as then produced, to entitle Miss Warburton to £400. Miss Prince, so far as I could see, understood what I said to her and read to her. The thing was apparent enough in itself. lam perfectly satisfied in my own mind that she understood exactly what the position was. I was also asked to prepare a will. Miss Prince seemed anxious to avoid any suggestion—quite properly, I thought—that she was in any way dealing with this £400, which belonged really to Miss Warburton. So far as I could understand, she was desirous, in case of her death, that the moneys in question should go as a provision for Mr., Livingston's widow, who is a lunatic, and had been supported by Mr. Livingston while alive. 875. Mr. Hutchison.'] Bid she say that? —That is what I understood, from the interview. I could not say how much was said by Mrs. Eose, or how much came from Ida Prince, but that is what I was informed at this interview. It was stated that Mrs. Livingston would be left unprovided for ; that she had been getting an allowance from Mr. Livingston during his life, but that after his death she was left without any means for subsistence or maintenance. The result waa that I prepared a very short will, which was executed on the following day by Miss Prince. The

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