The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1888-11-10
MR.. NELSON'S WILL.
BY II. RIDER HAGGARD.

listened Jeannie's bed was on the other
side of the room and she could generally
hear her movements plainly enough, lor
the sick child was restless sleeper. But
now she could hear nothing not even tho |
faint vibration of her sisters breath. The |
silence was absolute and appalling; it
struck tangbly upon her sense, rs the |
darkness struck upon her cyeballs and |
filled her with n numb, unreasoning ter
ror. She slipped ont of bed and struck !
match! In another few seconds she was |
standing by Jeannic's white little bed, |
waiting for the wick of the candle to burn |
up. Presently the light grcwl Jeannie |
was lying on her side, her white face rest
ing on her white arm. Her eyes were
wide open; but when Augusta held the
candle near her she did not shut them or
finch. Her hand, too-oh Heavens! the
fingers were nearly cold.
Then Augusta understood, and lifting
up her arms in agony, she shrieEed till the
whole house rang
CHAPTER Iv.-AUGUsTA's DECISION.
On the second day following the death
OF poor little JEANNE Smithcrs, Mr.. Eus-
tace Meeson was strolling about Birming
ham with his hands in his pockets and an
dir of indecision on his decidedly agreeable
IshStthlS
Meeson was not particularly cast down by
the extraordinary reverse of fortune which
he had recently experienced. lie was u
young gentleman of n cheerful nature;
and, besides, it did not so very much mat
ter to him. He was in n blessed condition
of celibacy, and had no wife and children
dependent upon him, and he knew that,
somehow or other, il would 60 hard il,
with the help of the one hundred n year
that he had of his own, he did not manage,
with his education To get living by hook
or by crook. So IL was not the loss Of the
society of his respected uncle, or the pro-
spectivc enjoyment OF two millions OF
money, which was troubling him. In
deed, after he had once cleared his goods
and chattels out of Pompadour Hall and
settled them in n room in tho hotel, he had
not given the matter much thought. But
he had given good many thoughts to Au-
gusta Smithers gray eyes, and, by way OF
getting an insight into her character, he
had at once invested in 81 copy of "Jeni-
mas Vow" thereby, somewhat against
his will. swelling tbs gains of Nelson's
to the extent of several shillings. Now,
Terminals Vow" though simple and
homely, was most striking and powerful
book, which fully deserved the reputation
that il had gained, and it affected Eustace
who was so much different from most
young men of his age that he really did
know the difference between good work
and baltimore strongly than he would
have liked to own Indeed, at the ternlin-
alton of the story, what between the beau
ty of Augusta's pages, the memory of Au-
gusta's eyes, and the knowledge of Angus
ta's wrongs, Mr.. Eustace Necson began to
feel very much as though he had fallen
in love. Accordingly, he went out walk
ing, and, meeting u clerk whom he had
known in the Meesou cstablishmeGt-one
of those who had been discharged on the
same day as himself-he obtained from
him Miss Smithers' address, and began to
reflect rs to whether or not he should call
upon her Unable to make up his mind,
he continued his walk till he reached the
quiet street where Augusta lived, and,
suddenly perceiving the house of which
the clerk had told him, yielded to tempta-
uion and rang.
The door was answered by the III aid-of'
all-work, who looked at him little curl
ously, but said that Miss Smithers was in
and then conducted him TO n door which
was half open, and left him in Tat kindly
and agreeable fashion that maids-of-all
work have. Eustace was perplexed, and
looking through the door to see Ii anyone
was in the room, discovered Augusta her
self dressed IN some dark material, seated
In a chair, her hands folded on her lap, hel
pale face set like stone, and her eyes
gazing into vacancy He paused, wonder
ing what could be the matter, and rs ht
did so, his umbrella slipped from his hand
making n noise that rendered it necessary
for him to declare himself.
Augusta rose as he advanced, and looked
l.; a LODI nir fhnnrh sh,
were striving to recall his name or wher
she had met him.
II beg your pardon" ne stammered, 90
must introduce myself, as the girl has dc
serted mel am Eustace Meeson."
Augusta's face hardened at tho name
.If you have come to me from Messrs
Meeson & Co."-she said quickly, AM
then broke off, as though struck by som
new idea.
Indeed, no." said Eustace. "I hav
nothing in common with Messrs. Meeso
now, except my name; and l have onl
come to tell you how sorry | was to sec yo
treated as you were by my uncle. You n
lember, was in the office"
YES" she said, with suspicion of
lush, II remember you were very kind.
Well, you see," he went on, II had
It row with my uncle after that, an
% ended in his turning me out OF the plac
bag and baggage, and informing me thi
he was going to cut nae off with shilling
which," he added, refectiyely, "he ha
probably done by now"
"Do understand you, Mr.. Meeson,
mean that you quarrcled with your unc
about me and my 5ooksf"
"Yes, that is So" he said.
..It was very chivalrous OF you," she a
swered, looking ut him with new-bot
curiosity. Augusta was not accustome
to find knights-errant thus prepared,
such cost to themselves, to break lant
in her cause. Least OF all was she pr
pared to find that knight bearing the hat
full crest of Meeson-if, indeed, Meeson hi
crest.
al ought TO apologize, she went on pre-
eutly, after an awkward pause, "for ma
ing such a scene in the Office, but wantt
money so dreadfully, and it was so hal
to be refused. But it does not matter no'
1t is all done with"
m was dull. hopeless ring abo