Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1896-10-08

That had arrived on Christmas eve,
an hour or two before Mr.. Ferguson
himself.
cts no good,' sighed Mamie; lit has
got to be. Poor Ralph must see It,"
Then she went down to "poor
Ralph"
He was standing gazing raptly at
Maimie's latest photograph. 1t was In
gold frame. the frame the gift to
Mrs. Wrottesley Of the inevitable Mr..
Ferguson.
"She deserves to be mounted in gold.
and in gold she shall be mounted, II
YOU will allow me-" Mr.. Ferguson had
said: and, of course. Maimie's mother
had no objection.
"Mr. Ruyton," Mamie whispered.
He, turned and showed her his sad
dened face.
..It's got to that, has it?'' he said.
"After being Ralph for about score
of years, too"
"My dear old boy" then said Mamie
fmpuisiyely; circumstances have got
to be accepted. and it's no use thinking
anything else,
$50 1 suppose. Circumstances en-
bellished by about million sterling"
"You have no right to reproach me
like that"
.No?" Then 1 reckon no one has
that right. However (Ralph pulled
himself together and looked the gallant
fellow he was), as I have no intention
of surrendering without murmur, lev
me say my little word and depart
ssWhat have you got to say? askeG
Mamie. Her voice trembled ever SO
slightly. Ill,
tWhy, just this, Mamie, if you will
excuse the liberty I take with your
name: love you as fondly as man can
love q woman, and If l do not marry
you I suppose I shall go single TO the
grave But that wouldn't matter mqch,
! 1 expect. The main thing is this: I've
/ had lift in my department, and my
income ia now $500 per annum. On
that if you would look on me with
favor"
He hesitated. In spite Of his re-
strained. half-ironical humor, the
yearning tone got into his words:
stIt is impossible, Ralph; quite I'M
possible"
Ralph shrugged his shoulders.
$50 I Suppressed" he remarked. you
may as we'll 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.
cam L? Then apologize. Until
three months ago was under the I'M
preston that we were all the world to
each other, and that suitable income
was the only hindrance to me as an
acceptable sutton for your dear hand"
II never said so"
s'No. 1t 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 to her, as well as to him.
She did not put her hand into his for
q moment or two. She did not even
look at him. !
It, was not without a strong effort
that Ralph kept from taking her i'll
his arms in spite of everything. Those
tears maddened him.
"Good-by, Maimie," he said again,
"and good luck"
"Good-by,. Ralph she then replied.
with muffled sob in her throat Ills
hand closed upon hers and held it
while he could have counted ten.
81 do not despair" he said, "for I
both suspect and hate my rival"
There was a rustic of silk and in
sailed Mrs. Wrottesley. She had heard
these last words and was angry.
"My daughter will marry Mr.. Fergu-
son next month";" she said with the
stoniness of demeanor that must have
reconciled her late husband to his
early demise. "There can be no ques-
ton about rivalry in this matter. Good
afternoon, MI Ruyton. Ring the bell,
Mamie"
Ralph Ruyton went back to town
both irritated and depressed. Not be-
ing a very original young man, he
could think Of no more original way of
fighting the great Donald Ferguson.
late of Melbourn and Coolgardie, than
Of calling in the aid of detective.
james Porter, the detective he en-
gagged, encouraged him nightly by not
laughing when he heard all Ralph had
to say.
"You see," said Ralph alphabetically.
"there's nothing really against him that
know of, but
"But there's very large field of pos
sibilitieS Quite SO. When does this
marriage take placer
f.'In Ave or six weeks, I suppose"
said Ralph dismally,
1--WE must thank heaven for the In
9entibn5of, telegraphy. You wish no
expenses! ,spared?"
DUP to a few hundred, you know"
Ralph HarT replied ganS TbRsn will be Off to the
city Immediately. If'Mr. Ferguson has
any virtues and any. .failings I shall
certainly hear of them there"
.Then I may really,hopew
ITO the extent Of the few hundreds
YOU can afford to spend in the matter,
Mr.. Ruyton," said the detective.
VI. r.-y II.
In these words there seemed to
Rslph, after the expiration Of week,
no encouragement. =.
M. Porter had absolutely nothing to
tell him in derogation Of Mr.. Fergu-
sons pocket; which had perhaps nat
urally appeared his only assailable
side.
II wish. sir" said the detective. shat
my credit was us good as this Austria
liam gentleman's. Folks smack their
Inns when they speak of him."
Wyl,araOt R0lnh urON nod