When Hindley’s wife Frances dies, he becomes heavily addicted to alcohol and gambling. Upon Heathcliff’s return, Hindley loses Wuthering Heights to him. That is how the former becomes the owner of the manor. Weakened by such a lifestyle, Hindley dies.
Detailed answer:
Hindley Earnshaw was fourteen years old when his father brought Heathcliff to Wuthering Heights. He does not get along with the new tenant and tries to make his life awful. Sometime after, Hindley departs for college but returns several years later following Mr. Earnshaw’s death. Hindley, now married, is the heir to Wuthering Heights. So he becomes the master of the place. His wife, Frances, gives birth to a son named Hareton. However, she never recovers and shortly dies, leaving Hindley inconsolable.
He becomes addicted to alcohol and gambling, making the lives of other tenants unbearable. Unwilling to stay at home, Hindley sometimes leaves Wuthering Heights for days and spends time in the village. Soon enough, the manor turned into a gambling parlor. By the time Heathcliff returns wealthy and educated, Hindley loses most of his fortune. He is eager to gamble with Heathcliff but loses the rest of his family’s possessions.
Surprisingly, Catherine Earnshaw dies before Hindley, despite the latter’s alcoholism. Hindley cannot stay sober for the funeral and attempts to challenge Heathcliff physically. Another brawl happens the next morning, and this time Heathcliff wins. Hindley is frustrated, so he locks himself in his room. Some time passes, and tenants of Wuthering Heights are informed that Hindley Earnshaw has passed away. His death leaves Heathcliff the only master of the manor. Hareton receives poor treatment as payback for his father’s behavior.