Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-11-19

both irI1tated and depressed. NOT
being a very original young man, he
could think of no more original way
OF fighting the great Donald Ferguson,
late OF Melbourne and Coolgirdie, than
in calling in the aid Of a detective.
James Porter, the detective engaged
encouraged him nightly by not laugh
ing when he heard all Ralph had to
say.
"You see" said Ralph, APOLOGIZE
cally, there's nothing really against
him that | know of, but"
But there's very wide field of
possibilities Quite so. When does
this marriage take place?"
IN FIVE or six weeks, suppose"
said Ralph, dismally.
1--WE must thank heaven for the in
vention for telegraphy. You wish no
expense spared?"
up to few hundred, you know"
Ralph replied.
Very good. Then | will 5e off to
the city Immediately. If Mr.. Fergu-
sen has any virtues and any failings |
shall certainly hear Of them there"
ITO the extent of the few hundreds
you can afford to expend in the matter,
Mr. Ruyton," said the detective.
In these words there seemed to
Ralph, after the expiration of a week,
no encouragement
Mr.. Porter had absolutely nothing
to tell him in derogation of Mr. Fer
guson's pocket, which had perhaps
naturally appeared his only assailable
side.
II wish, sir" said the detective,
that my credit was as good as this
Australian gentlemans Folks
smack their lips when they speak of
him."
Whereat Ralph groaned.
1--WE may as well stop, then" he
murmured.
You just leave it with me- he said.
We've not done with him yet. I'll
tell you soon enough when it's hope
less case"
And so Ralph went his way with a
shoulder shrug, and made all manner
of foolish mistakes at the office, for
the nearer Maimies wedding day APP
preached the less he was able to live
like the promising young man he had
been accounted before Donald Fer
gusen came on the scene.
The last week arrived.
The impending marriage had been
mentioned in the papers, and Maimie's
wedding gown had been described in
two or three of the ladies' weeklies
Ralphs own particular chums, who
knew how hard he was hit had done
their best with him-and failed They
could not convince him that there
were as good fish left in the North sea
as any that reached Grmsby market.
Neither could they persuade him that
Mamie Wrottesley was heartless
MINK and worth no true mans adora-
ticn.
Meantime Mr.. Porter had not been
accessible.
Ralph had called twice and had not
seen him. He had written and received
no answer.
The truth was that his client irritat-
ed the good detective, who preferred
not to see Ralph until he had hit what
he was aiming at or was positive he
never could hit it. Mr. Porter was. in
fact, mot ait home to Ralph Ruyton.
This, if Ralph could have known it,
would have been yet one more of those
pleasant arrows which the fates just
then took delight in shooting al him.
AS it was he Thought comparatively
little about the detective, and all about
Mamie.
He had seen her and the Coolgardie
man driving together with Mrs. Wrot-
tesley) in the row, and he had seen
them together in Bond street shop.
II he could judge by Malmie's face she
was prodigIously happy. And he did
so judge.
Mrs Wrottesley was wiser. She
knew better. Now that the marriage
was only three days distant this astute
lady felt sure nothing could keep her
from being the mother-in-law to a
millionaire. But instinct told her so
rauch that was In her daughters mind
that she longed intensely for the quick
and safe transit of these last three
days.
Needless anxiety, you would have
thought, If you could have seen the
marriage ceremony, which was duly
celebrated with all the pomp exaeted
Of the rich by Dame Fashion. There
was not hitch ANY where. True
Mamie was very pale. and once held
her hand to her heart But other
brides did the same thing, and were
not whit less happy for It as wives
Then came the breakfast, and soon
afterward Mr.. and Mrs Ferguson were
carried north.
Mamie hankered after the lakes for
honeymoon. said her mamma, and so
Mr.. Ferguson had engaged rooms at a
Windermere hotel.
Matters had got thus far, indeed, ere
Mr.. Porter obtruded himself upon the
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