Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-10-09
MARRYING A
MILLIONAIRE,

Mamc Wrottcsley dreaded the in
terview. yet she would not have fore
gone il. Even to hear from Ralph's
lips what she knew she was going to
hear waS-well, a pleasure. But it
was dangerous.
She was in her own room when he;'
maid came to tell her that Mr.. Ruy-
ton had called. She was lingering the
necklace of pearls that Donald Fergu-
son had sent her last week. lust as a
trifiing birthday present. l. had cost
hundreds. said the jcwclcr to whom
her proud mother had shown ii cas-
ually. There was also the littla gold
watch with the monogram NJ. w.
wrought in diamonds on the back. That
had arrived OH Christman eve, an hour
or two before Mr.. Ferguson himself.
Its no good" sighed Mamie, lit
has got to be. Poor Ralph must see
it,"
Then she went down tc poor
Ralph"
He was standing gazing Eaptly at
Maimic's latest photograph. 1t vas in
gold frame. the frame the gift to Mrs.
Wrottcslcy of the inevitable Mr. Fer
glison.
''Shc deserves To bc mounted i'll gold.
and i'm gold she will he mounted. il You
will allow me-" MIR. Ferguson had
said, and. of course. Mainic's mother
had no objection.
mir. Ruyton.' Mamie whispered
He turned and showed her his sad
dcncd face.
Its got to that. has it:" he said.
".After being Ralph for about a score
OF years. too
My dear old boy" then said Mai
mic. impulsivcly. circumstances have
got to he accepted. and it's no use
thinking anything else
$50 l suppose. Circumstances cln-
bellishcd by about million sterling"
You have no right to reproach me
like that"
NO: Then l reckon no one has the
right. However, (Ralph pulled him
self together and looked the gallant
fellow he wasD. "as | have no intention
OF sulrendering without a murnur let
mo say my little word and depart"
What have you got to say?' asked
Mamie. Her voice tremblcd ever SO
slightly
why. Just this. Mamie, If you will
excuse the liberty l take With yn,
name. love you as fondly as man can
love woman. and ii / do not marry
you suppose shall go single to the
grave. But that wouldn't matter
much. l expect. The main thing is
this: I've had lift in my department..
and my income is now $500 per an
mum. On that. if you would look on
ME with favor"
He hcsitated. In spite of his To-
strained. lalf-ironical humor. the
ycarning tone got into his words.
ut is impossible, Ralph: quite i'm
possible"
Ralph shrugged his shoulders.
$50 supposed" he remarked. "Nou
may as 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 1? Then l apologize Until
three months ago l was under the i'm
preston that we We're all thu world to
each other. and that Il suitable income
was the only hindrancr to me as an ac-
cep'ahlc sutor for Your dear hand.''
II never said So
NO. 1t was your mother. There.
fore. | will infer nothing Good-hy."
Maii!!ie'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 IL
moment or two. She did not even look
at him.
1t was not without a strong effort
that Ralph kept from taking her in 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 a mutiied sob in her tllroat. His
hand closed upon hers and held it
while he could have counted ten.