The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1888-11-23
THE LAST OF
T Z UGENTS
DY THE AUTHOR OF "swrnrHnAsrs!.
CHAPTER 1

PUG " 0Cs@ite Iiist loHp pSib9o NuSA "SC
ugly red brick mansion wa built, and
when they lived ut the Manor, a rambling
two-storied house, set in the midst of q
huge cherry-orcha1ai, and forming as near
as possible the center of the village
When the Queen Anne mansion put the
more cosy and picturesque Manor in the
shade, the Manor was turned into a dover
house, the occupant of which was the
mother of Jasper Nugent, the reigning
Squire, or, as she was always called, 1Mad-
am Nugent," by all the country round
AS a means of distinction between the
two Mistresses Nugent, the Squirrels wife
was invariably spokeno of as "the Mistress"
In many parts of Yorkshire it is not the
name. In Deane Ella, there were Mad
am "the Mistress" at Squoire," "t' yoong
Squoire," and miss Dolly"
There were people round about who
considered that Squire Nugent did not
maintain his dignity as he ought to have
done. They said he did not possess the
amount of exclusiveness and pride be-
coming to a man of his station and ancient
lineage; but they were not his friends or
his own people who said so.
He was Nugent Of Deane Ella, Just as
his forefathers had been Nugents of Deane
ella for many generations before him
He knew every man, woman, and child on
his estate, just as he had known most of
their fathers before them. He had no
fear Of losing caste by standing and talk
ing half an hour with Jacob Wright, or
sitting as long in Widow Smart's cottage,
listening to her account of "them rheu-
matics"-ay, and what was best of all,
taking interest in them too. No pride7-
Why, he had the best pride OF all-the
pride that cares for nothing or nobody,
only for doing what is just and right!
So the mushloom-gentry round about
whispered their petty deprecating re-
marks amongst themselves; and Squire
Nugent went on his way in blissful disre-
gard of them and their opinions alike
He was II handsome, blue-eyed, broad
chestcd man, standing six feet two in his
stockings, with d. frank hearty laugh, q
fearless look, and a great hand, ready to
help every one alike.
He had u huge contempt for London and
town ways, though he sacrificed himself
every spring, and left the cherry blossom
because the Mistress liked her season
the Mistress's will and pleasure were law
to him, as they had been to every ono
else in Deane Ella ever since the first Sum-
day her golden hair and ilnperious violet
eyes had won every heart, as she stood
beside her big handsome husband in the
old church.
For her he dawdled away long mornings
in shops, wondering the while IF Joe was
giving the roam mare her exact amount OF
exercise, or if the chestnut foal was as
great a beauty as Briggs had sent him
word. For her sake he sat in hot thea
tres, and when he laughed at the jokes
laughter like himself, huge and hearty
nr,.J ,,,,n ,~,,- al ,,,-ln F..
sympathy-he looked so jolly.
And so Nugent of Deane Ella went on
his way, a happy, healthy, hearty country
gentleman-the hardest rider, the best
shot, and the handsomest man for twenty
miles round Deane Ella, looking, as some
people said, the living embodiment of the
two words carved above the great hearth
in the hall-the two words which were
the motto of his house, .For ever!m
Dolly, Dolby, Dolly, l say! Where are
your
"Here, Jasper" cried y childish treble
in reply. "What is It'll"
"Get your hat quickly" said the boy,
as n goldcn-haired girl ran out into the
brilliant August sunlight. civilian Pick
ards going to take the wasps' nest in the
manure-heap. but he's waiting for you to
see; SO be quick"
AT this time of day2' calculated Dolly.
"Yes. Fathers going to Garthside to-
morrow to fish, and he is to start tonight,
so to be there in time for dinner-that's
why they want it but be quick"
Dolly dashed into the house and snatch
ed u sailors hat, from the table in the
inner hall, returning to her brother in q
moment.
"Give me your hand, and we'll run, said
the boy, holding out a very dirty hand.
Dolly put hers into it, and they set of
down the road leading past the Vicarage,
and down the quaint village street.
''Who are those Notwithstanding
children?" asked a lady, who was looking
over the Vicarage wall with the Wears
wife.
Mrs. Carrnthers watched them out Of
question.
"They are the squire's children" she
answered. 81 wonder what freak they
arc up to nowf"
.'The squire's children" said the lady,
glancing aside at the chimneys of the
house as she spoke. Dear me, are they
generally allowed to run wild like that"
run Wild" repeated Mrs. Carruthers,
with q laugh. "Why, the people about
Deane Ella worship them-if possible,
more than they worship the Squire him
self; and Dolly is the most perfect little
alistocrat you ever saw"
Meanwhile the children ran swiftly on
through the village street; Dolly STUN
bling once or twice, but keeping bravely
up with the help of Jasper's stronger
hand.
"Kcep up, Dolly; we shall be there in a
minute" he painted.
"All-,ight," she answered ch~eerfully,
though she was very much "blown' in
deed.
They turned the corner, leading into
Pickard's fold-yard, pretty sharply, and
Dolly. missing her footing amongst the rub
bic that had been placed there for the
foundation for IL new road, suddenly came
to the ground with a heavy thud; and
Jasper, still running at full speed, dragged
her q step or two before he could stop
himself.
The sound of the fall and Dolly's pierre
ing shrek brought William Pickard upon
the scene very quickly. He was a tall
fair-faced man. nearly as big as Squire
Nugent himself.
"Why, my honcy-sweet, he exclaimed,
''this is q bad business surely! Why, l
lay she's cut her pretty knees Almost to t
bone! Whatever were you thinking on,
Master Jasper, to let her down like O
thatg"
"Why, it was the rubble, Williamw nm
swered Jasper. II think her ankle twist
ed he was already down upon his knees
in the dirt, examining the full extent of
Dolly's injuries. "Does it hurt you much,
Dolly, darlingp
"Ye-e-sw-and Dolly WINGED, while she
bit her lip to keep herself from the igno-
miny of tears. '.But 1 think I can man
age to walk"
"whatever is the matter7" asked a
CHEEKY voice behind them.
miss Dolly has come to grief amongt
rubble," answered William Pickard; "and
l doubt you'd best hev' her in, and battle
her knees with warm water"
my poor blessed little lamb" cried
Mrs. Pickard, with quick sympathy
'Come in and let me see to thcm.n
"But the wasps' nestw objected Dolly.
81 came to see Mr.. William take the wasps'
nest"
.Oh, we can wait a bit for that, 'reioined
the jovial good-natured farmer. II be,
lieve the missis was making some cheese
cakes this morning, and l doubt she'll be
ready to give Master Jasper a few; so