The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1888-11-17
Mr.. NELSON'S WILL,
BY II. RIDER HAGGARD.

"iaAc VI thls turn OF fortune. But sur
prises were not to end there. A few min
utes afterward, Just as she was leaving
the cabin. n gentleman in uniform came
up, In whom she recognized the Captain
ne was accompanied by n pretty, fair.
haired woman very bccomingly dressed.
Excuse me; Miss Smithers, l believer"
he said, with bow
Eyes"
Il am Captain Alton. hope You like
your new cabin. Let me introduce you to
Lady Holmhurst, wife of Lord Holrnhurst.
the New Zealand Governor, you know.
Lady Holmhurst, this is Miss Smithers.
whose book you were talking so much
about"
"Oh! am delighted to make your ac.
quaintance, Miss Smithers," said the great
lady In a manner that evidently was not
assumed. Captain Alton has promised
that shall sit next to you at dinner, and
then we can have good talk. I don't
know when have been so much delighted
with anything as | was with your book.
| have read it three times; what do YOU
think OF that for busy woman?"
| Il Think there is some mistake" said
Augusta, hurriedly and with slight
blush. Il am II second-class passenger on
/ board this ship: and therefore cannot have
the pleasure OF sitting next to Lady Holm
hurst"
"Oh, that is all right, Miss Smithers,"
laid the Captain, with u jolly laugh. "You
| are my guest, and shall take no denial"
wv hen we find genius for once in our
nves, we are not going to lose tho oppor-
tunlty OF sitting at its feet" added Lady
liolmhurst, with u little movement to-
| ward her which was neither curtsey nor
bow, but rather happy combination of
both. The compliment was, Augusta felt,
| sincere, however much it exaggerated the
measure of her poor capacities, and, put
ting other things aside, was, coming rs it
thd from one woman to another peculiar
ly graceful and surprising. She blushed
and bowed, scarcely knowing what to saw,
when suddenly Mr.. Nelson's harsh tones,
pitched just now in respectful key, broke
upon her ear. Mr.. Meeson was addressing
no less person than Lord Holmhurst, G..
C. NJ G. Lord Holmhurst was q stout.
short, dark little man, with n somewhat
pompous manner, and n kindly face. He
was Colonial Governor OF the first water,
and was perfectly aware of the fact.
Now, Colonial Governor, even though
he be G. c. NJ. G. when he is at home, is
not name to conjure with, and does not
I'LL an exclusive place in tho eye of the
English world. There are many Colonial
Governors in the present and past tense
to be found in the purlieus of South Ken
slnSton, where their presence creates no
unusual excitement. But when one of
this honorable corps sets foot upon the
vessel destined to bear him to the shores
that he shall rule, all this changes He
puts off the body of the ordinary betitled
individual Drtc RI
celestial brotherhood. In short, from be-
ing nobody out of the common he becomes.
and very properly so, II great man. No
body knew this better than Lord Holm
hurst, and, to n person fond of observing
;uch things. nothing could have been more
curious to notice than the small. but the |
gradual, increase in the pomposity of his |
manner, rs the great ship day by day
NeaIned further from England and nearer |
TO the country where he was King. 1t |
went up, degree by degree, like n thcr- |
nometer which is taken down into the |
bowels OF the earth or gradually removed !
nto the sunlight. At present, however,
the thermometer was only rising.
Il was repeating, my Lord" said the |
harsh voice of Mr.. Meeson, that the prin-
clpie vi an hereditary peerage is the grand
est principle our country has yet devel-
oped. II gives us something to look for
ward to. In one generation we make the
money; in the next we take the title which
the money buys. Look ut your LorGlship.
Your Lordship is now in proud position;
but, rs have understood, your Lordship's
father was trader like me-"
"Humi-well. not exactly. Mr.. Meeson,"
proke In Lord Holmhurst Dear me,
wonder who that exceedingly nicc-looking
girl Lady Holmhurst is talking to can be-"
Now, your Lordsaip, to put case"
went on the remorseless Meeson, who like
most people of his stamp, had an almost
supersttious veneration for the aris;ocra-
cy, Il have made great deal of money,
as do not mind telling your Lordship;
what is there to prevent my SUCCESSOR
supposing | have successor-from taking
advantage of that money, and rising on it
to a similar position to that SO worthiIy oc-
cupied by your Lordship?"
Exactly, Mr.. Meeson. A most excel
lent idea for your successor. Excuse me,
but see Lady Holmhurst beckoning to
me-" And he fed precipitately, still fol-
lowed by Mr.. Meeson.
John. my dear" said Lady Holmhurst,
II want to introduce you to Miss Smithers
the Miss Smithers whom we have all
been talking about and whose book you
have been reading. Miss Smithers, my
husband"
Lord Holmhurst, who, when he was not
deep in tho affairs of State, had consid-
arablc eye for pretty girl-and what man
worthy OF the name has not?-bowed most
politely, and was proceeding to tell Angus
"A, In very charming language, how de-
lighted he was to make her acquaintance,
Hhen MIR. Meeson arrived on the scene
Ind perceived Augusta for the first time.
Quite taken aback at finding her. apparent
y, upon the very best OF terms with peo-
Die of such quality. he hcsitated to consider
What course 20 adopt, whereon Lady Holm
lurst in n somewhat formal way, for she |
vas not very fond OF Mr.. Meeson, mistak-
ng his hesitation, went on to introduce
him. Thereupon, all in u moment, as we
10 sometimes take such resolutions, Au- ,
,usta came to determination. She would |
lave nothing more to do with Mr. Meeson !
she would repudiate him then and there, :
ome what would of it.