The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1896-10-14

That had arrived ON Christmas eve,
an hour or two before Mr.. Ferguson
himself.
Its no good" sighed Mamie; ut has
got TO be. Poor Ralph must see it,
Then she went down 20 poor
Ralph"
He was standing gazing raptly AZ
Malmie's latest photograph. II was In
a gold frame. the frame the gift to
Mrs. wrotteslcy Of the inevitable Mr..
Ferguson.
"She deserves to be mounted In gold.
and In gold she shall I've mounted. II
you win allow me-" Mr.. Ferguson had
said: and. OF course, Malmle's mother
had no objection.
"Mlr. Ruyton." Malmle whispered.
He turned and showed her his sad
dened face.
ITS got TO that. has ltr' he said,
after being Ralph FOR about Il score
OF years. too"
"My dear old boy" then said Maimie
lmpulslvely. circumstances have got
10 be- accepted. and It's no use thinking
anything else"
$50 | suppose. Circumstances en-
belllshed by about a million sterling
"You have no right TO repruach me
like that"
"NoT Then | reckon no one has
that right. However ralph pulled
himself together and looked the gallant
fellow he was. as have no Intention
Of surrenderlng without a murmur, let
me say my little word aud depart
what have you got 10 say asked
Mamie. Her voice troubled ever 80
slightly.
why. Just this. Mamie. II you Will
excuse the liberty | take with your
name: love you ms fondly as man can
love n woman. and n do not marry
You | suppose ! shall 20 single TO the
grave. But that wouldn't matter much.
/ expect. The main thing Is this: I've
had lit IN my department, and my
Income il now fSOO per annum' ON
that. II you would look on me with
favor"
lie hesltated. In spite Of his re
strained, hnlf.ironlcal humOr, the
yearnlng tone got into his words.
1T Is impossible, Ralph; quite I'M
possible"
Ralph shrugged his shoulders.
$50 | supposed" he remarked. You
may rs well have my scalp, though.
I've been told ladies enjoy these con-
quests when their sere-and-yellow-leaf
time comes"
"You are cruel" murmured Mamie.
"Am II Then ! apologize. lntil
three months ago ! was under the Inn
preston that we were all the world to
each other and that suitable Income
was the only hlndnnce TO me a. an
acceptable sultor for your dear hand. -
Il never said So"
"No. II was your mother. There
fore. will infer nothing. Good-by.'
Maimie's blue eyes had tears IN
them. She knew now what this part
ing meant 20 her. as well as 10 him.
She aid not put her hand into his Tor
n moment or two. She did not even
look al him.
Il was not without a strong effort
that Ralph kept from taking her IN
his arms In spite OF everything. Those
tears maddencd him.
"Good-hy, Maimie." he said again.
''nnd good luck"
"GoOd.by. Ralph" she then replied,
with a muflcd sob In her throat. Ills
/ hand closed upon hers and held II
while he could have counted ten.
II do not despair" he said, TOR
both suspect aud hate my rival"
There was rustic Of silk and IN
sailed Mrs. Wrottcsley. She had heard
these last words and was angry.
"My daughter win marry Mr.. Fcrgu'
son next month";" she said with the
stcnlness Of dcmeanor that must have
reconciled her late husband 10 his
early demise. There can he no ques'
ton about rivalry In this matter Good
afternoon. Mr.. Ruyton. Ring the bell,
Malmie."
Ralph Ruyion went back 10 town
both irritated and depressed. No, be
ing very original young man, he
could think Of no more original way ol
lighting the great Donald Ferguson
late Of Melb0urn aud Coolgardle, than
OF calling In the aid Of detective.
James Porter. the detective he en-.
gagged. encouraged him nightly boy not
laughing when he heard all Ralph had
20 say.
"You see" said Ralph alphabetically
there's nothing really against him that
I know o., hut"
"But there's a very large field Of pos
/ gibllltles. Quite so. When does this
marriage take placer
"In five or six weeks, ] suppose,
said Ralph dlsmally.
I'VE must thank heaven for the In
vention Of telegraphy. You wish nc
expenses sparedr'
UP To a few hundred. you know,
Ralph replied.
VERY good. Then | will be on to IN,
city Immediately. II MIR. Ferguson has
any virtues and any failings ! shall
certainly hear Of them there"
"rhen may really hopper
''To the extent ~ the few hundreds
you can afford 10 spend IN the matter
Mr.. Ruyton." said the detective.
H.
In these words there seemed Il
Ralph, after the expiration ~ week
no encouragement
Mr.. Porter had absolutely nothing {,
tell him In derogation Of Mr.. Fcrgu
sons pocket; which had perhaps nat
umlly appeared his only assailahlC
side.
II wish. SIR" said the detective. "that
my credit was as good as this Austria
Ian gcntleman's Folks smack theil
lips when they speak Of him."
Whereat Ralph groaned.
I'VE may as well stop, them" h6
murmurpd.
Hut Mr. Porter waved his hand II
rather n superior manner.
"You Just leave II with me- he said
"Wevc not done with him yet. Ill tel
you soon enough when It's a hopeless
case"
And No Ralph went his way with =
shoulder shrug. and made all manner
OF foolish mistakes az the office. for the