Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1896-10-03
MARRYING A
MILLIONAIRE.

&AeSOAS
MILLIONAIRE.
Mamie wrottcsicy dreaded the IN.
eerview, yet she would not have fore
gone Il. Even to hear from Ralph's
lips what she knew she was going to
hear was-wcll, O pleasure. But II
was dangerous.
She was In her own room when her
maid came to tell her that Mr.. Ruy.
ton had called. Shc was lingering tho
necklace Of pearls that Donald Fergu-
son had sent her Inst week, Just 90 q
trining birthday present. II had cost
hundreds. said the jewclcr to whom
her proud mother had shown It cas.
ually. There was also the littlo gold
watch with the monogram n. w.
wrought In diamonds on tho back. That
had arrived on Christman eve, an hour
o. two before Mr.. Ferguson himself.
Its no good" sighed Mamie, 1T
has got to be. Poor Ralph must SEQ
t."
Then she went down to poor
Ralph"
He was standing casing rnpely at
Aaimie's latest photograph. Il was In
Q gold frame, the frame the gift to Mrs.
wrottesley Of tho inevitable Mr.. Fer.
GuSon.
"Sho deserves to be mounted In gold,
and In gold she will DO mounted, II you
win allow me-" Mr.. Ferguson had
0aid, and, Of course. Maimie's mother
had no objection.
"Mr. Ruyton," Mamie whispered.
He turned and showed her his sad.
dened face.
TITS got to that. has ~" he said.
"After being Ralph for about score
Of years. too"
my dear old boy" then said Mai.
mie, impulsivcly, circumstances have
got to be accepted. and It's no use
thinking anything clsc."
$50 I suppose. Circumstances EN-.
bellished by about a million sterling"
"You have no right to rcproach me
like thaty
mot Then I reckon no one has the
right. However" (Ralph pulled him.
self together and looked tho gallant
fellow he was), 'as have no intention
Of surrendcring without murmur, let
mo say my little word and depart"
"What have you got to say?" asked
Mamie. Her voice trcmbled ever 10
sliShtly.
"Why. Just this. Mamie, II you will
excuse the liberty I take with your
name. I love you a. fondly % man can
love q woman, and II do aot marry
you suppose I shall 60 single to tho
grave. But that wouldn't matter
much, expect. The main thing 10
this: I've had a lift In my department,
and my income IL now fS00 per an
mum. On that. II you would look ON
me with favor"
He hesitated. In spite Of his 70.
strained. half.ironical humor. the
yearning tone got into his words.
1T IL impossible. Ralph; quite I'm.
possible"
Ralph shrugged his shoulders.
$50 ! supposed" he remarked. lyon
may a. well have my scalp. though.
I've been told ladies enjoy these con.
quests when the sere-and- yellow.leaf
time comes"
"You are cruel" murmured Mamie.
"Am I? Then apologize. Until
three months ago was under the im-
preston that we were all the world to
each other, and that suitable Income
was the only hindrnce to NE ~ an &C.
ceptable sutton for your dear hand"
II never said So"
mo. 1t was your mother. There.
fore. I will infer nothing. Good.by."
Maimie's blue eyes had tears In them,
She knew now what this parting
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
ct him.
that Ralph kept from taking her In biz
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 q muffled sob In her throat. Hi
hand closed upon hers and held II
while he could have counted ten.
~ do not despair" he said. "for
both suspect and hate my rival
There was a rustic of silk and II
sailed Mrs. Wr0ttesley. She hat
heard these last words and was angry
my daughter will marry Mr.. Fer
guson next month";" she said, with thu
stoniness of demeanOr that must have
reconciled her late husband In his earl!
demise. 'There can be no question
about rivalry In this matter. Good at
terroon. MIR. Ruyton. Ring tue bell
Maimie."
Ralph RuytOn went back to towl
both irritated and depressed. Not bs
ing . very original young mau. b