San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-06-04

jurymen.
ut is here" answered Culverton, re-
leasing Dolly's hand that he might take
the letter from his pocket.
The letter was then read, a murmur OF
sympathy for the shrinking girl and her
noble lover rising from every one in the
room except Miss Cave-Fox, who tried 10
slip out unperceived.
You will he good enough to remain
said the Coroner severely, looking at her
over his glasses. 'You wrote that letter,
Lord Culvertonf he asked.
81 wrote it,"
TO Miss Nugent2"
ITO Miss Nugent."
Thank you. think we need not de-
tain Miss Nugent longer.
The Squire and CulvertOn took Dolly
back TO the study, where. for the first time
since the dreadful tragedy had happened,
her pent-up feelings found the relief Of
tears. The Squire left her with Culver
ton, believing that he could best comfort
her. and went back to the dining-room to
hear the end.
The wine which had been brought in for
the Earl was still on the table, and as
soon rs the door had closed behind the
Squire, CulvertOn poured out a glassful
and carried it to Dolly.
Drink this. my dearest" he said i'm
peratively.
Il don't want it." she answered leaning
her head back YEARLY against the high
back of her chair.
Il know that" hut you must drink it,
he urged. Come. Doll y, you are keeping
me standing, and am very tired.
She started and flushed, but took the
glass from him Immediately
Good child" he said approyingly, pour
ing out glass for himself
"CulvertOn," said Dolly suddenly, as
she put her glass down, 81 meant what l
said"
about whatr
THAT | cannot marry you. l cannot
really. | should never be happy" she
exclaimed excitcdly.
"Oh, yes! You will think differently in
a few weeks. when the horror of all this
has worn away little," he answered
soothingly.
"1ndeed no" said ca nestly. 81
have been so Of my name, so proud
of my family; bul never thought shame
would fall upon us. Oh, think of poor
Jasperr
II do think of him answered Culverton
gravely, 'poor fellow! No shame lies up
on himr
'"He tried to kill you" said Dolly in a
panied tone. He would have murdered
you if had not made his hand tremble."
"He thought was false, and he had
the old Nugent blOod strong in him." re-
piled Culverton. $50 far from thinking
any shame of him. honor him for that;
the only part that l can regret came at
forwards"
II cannot do it," she persisted. 81 can
not bring upon you the shame of marry
ing the sister of would he murderer and
a suicide. Oh, Jasper, Jasper, why did
you do it7" She broke off with wild sobs
and tears.
"Do you think l do not remember my
father who broke his promised word"
asked Culverton grav9ly-"my own ia
ther, who broke Dolly Nugent's heart
My child, who could class poor Jaspers
momentary chivaEpus madness with IAN
Offense so cruel and deliberate as that
The law would, perhaps, consider 1t
wOrse-yes, of course it dOes-but men
of honor, Dolly, could have but one
opinion"
1.-THE Culverton's and the Nugents,"
said Dolly, with an effort, ARE tated not
to marTy-can you not see that I"
IL cannot indeed"
But | cam" she said YEARLY. "And
listen! What is that ?"-as the tramp Of
many feet sounded in the hall.
They are leaving-it is all over" an
swered CulveIton.
"What is their decisiOnp she asked
nervOusly. "Oh, BERTHE, l am afraid to
hear
"They can give but one verdict" he
said reassuringly. "They would never
give the other against the Nugents."
Dollyshivered, but did not speak; and
an instant later her father entered. She
shrank back in her large chair, with her
face hidden in her hands; hut Culvcrton,
looking up saw that the Sluire's face was
heart however betrayed itself in his tone.
We've been here at Deane Ella since
Stephens time" he said passiOnately-
''since Stephens time, and l am the last of
the Nugent's; but have had blow this
day which will soon do away with the
Nugent family altogether"
Dolly's tears broke forth again. and
CulvertOn's face turned a shade paler.
"What is their verdict, Squirrel" he
asked.
Insanity, sir. and we've been here at
Deane Ella since Stephens timer
"But, Squire. you would not surely have
wished any other decision I" demonstrated
Culverton.
Il don't know what l WISH" answered
the Squire, leaning his arms on the chin
ney-shelf and hiding his face. "l'm
broken-down old man, with faint of
madness upon him."
"Nonsense," returned Culverton prompt
ly-"only the faint of such madness as
makes heroes-what in Stephens time
would have been called chivalry"
Il think, Dolly" said the Squire for
lornly, "when all this is over, we will go
away somewhere where no one will know
us and our story"
"My' dear Squire" put in Culverton
hastily.
Where no one will know that l am a
poor broken down old man, the last of his
race, whose son lies in his dishonored
grave, a wOuld-be murderer and suicide,
or, as twelve Deane Ella men, to spare our
feelings expressed it, temporarily insane
Good Heaven! Insane! There never
was Nugent before who came within
mile of insanity" said the Squire fercely.
ayes, that was their verdict-.suicide
while suffering from temporary insanity
and they finished up by expressing their
utter disgust at Miss Cave-Fox's conduct
throughout the affair, and strong recon-
mendation to Lord Culverton to take steps
to punish her for the theft of the letter.
As if that would do any goodw
..Npna of oil baran tho Earl aUby
what is that" as a womans scream
sounded through the quiet house.
The Squire threw open the door and
strobe out to see what was the cause of
that ear-piercing shrek of terror.
81 dare not go, tell you!" screamed
terrified voice. They will tear me TO