The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-05-17
THE MILLIONAIRE.

Even to hear from Ralph's lips what SHE
knew she was going to hear was-well, @
pleasure. But 1t was dangerous.
| She was in her own room when her maid
came to tell her that Mr.. Ruyton had
called. She was lingering the necklace Of
pearls that Mr.. Donald Ferguson had sent
her last week, just as trifling birthday
present 1t had cost hundreds, said the
| jeweler to whom her proud mother had
shown 1t casually. There was also the little
gold watch with the monogram I'M. W"
wrought in diamonds on the back That
had arrived on Christmas eve, an hour or
two before Mr.. Ferguson himself
"It's no good" sighed Mamie. sit 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 a
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 If 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 saddened
face.
"It's got to that, has itp" he said. "Aft-
er being Ralph for about score of years
too.
my dear old boy" then said Mamie
impulsively, circumstances have got to
be accepted, and it's no use thinking any
thing else"
$50 | suppose. Circumstances embel-
lished by about million sterling"
"YOu have no right to reproach me like
thatp'
''Nof Then 7 reckon no 6ne has that
right However (Ralph phNed himself
together and looked the gallant fellow he
was), as have no intention Of surrendering
without a murmur, let me Say my little
word and depart"
"What have you to say?" asked Mamie.
Her voice trembled ever so slightly.
"Why, just this, Mamie, if you will
excuse the liberty take with your name.
/ love you as fondly as man can love q
woman, and If do not marry you sup
pose 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 annum, On that, if you would look
on me with favor"-
He hestated In spite of his restened,
half ironical humor, the yearning tone
got into his words,
at is impossible Ralph. Quite impos-
sible."
Ralph shrugged his shoulders
so | supposed" he remarked. "You
may as well have my scalp, though, I've
been told ladies enjoy those Conquests
when their scar and yellow leaf time
comes.
"You ure cruel, murmured Mamie.
Gam l? Then apologize. Until three
months ago was under tho impression
that we were all the world to each other,
and that Il suitable income was the only
hindranCe to me as an acceptable suitCr for
your dear hand"
II never said so. "
mo. 1t was your mother. Therefore
will infer nothing Goodby."
Muimies 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 u moment or two She
did not even look at him
1t was not without u strong effort that
Ralph kept from taking her in his arms in
spite of everything. Those tears madden.
cd him.
"Goodby, Mamie, he said again, "and
good luck"
"Goodby, Ralph, she then replied, with
O mui1lcd sob in her throat His hand
closed upon hers, and Leld it while he
could have counted ten.
II do not despair" he said, ''for both
suspect and hate my rival. "
There was u rustic Of silk and in sailed
Mrs Wrottosley. She had heard these last
words and was angry.
my daughter will marry Mr. Ferguson
next month, she said, with the stoniness
of demcanOr that must have recOnciled her
late husband to his carly demise. "Thcre
can be no question about rivalry in this
matter Good afternoon, Mr. Ruyton.
Ring the bell, Mamie"
Ralph Ruyton went back to town both
irritatcd and depressed. Not being very
original young lnan, no could think of no
more original way of fighting tho great
Donald Ferguson, late of Melbourne and
Coolgardie, than Of calling in tho aid of q
detective.
MIR. 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 arologctically,
"thero's nothing really against him that
know Of butt
But there's very large field Of posi-
bilitics. Quite so. When does this mar
riage take plncer"
'ln five or six weeks, suppose, said
Ralph dismally
1--WE must thank heaven for the invcn-
| ton of tclegraphy You wish no expenses
sparcd?'
Cup to a few hundred, you know"
Ralph replied
Every good. Then will bo off to the
| city Immediately. If MIR Ferguson has
any virtues and any faiIings, shall Ger
tainly hear Of them there"
"Then l may really hope"
10 tho extent Of the few hundreds you
can afford to spend in the matter, Mr..
Ruyton," said the detective,
In these words there seemed to Ralph,
after the expiration of u week, no encour-
agcmcnt.
Mr., Porter had absolutely nothing to
tell him In derogation Of Mr.. Fergusons
pocket, which had perhaps naturally ap-
pCared his only assailable side.
! 81 wish, sir, said the detective, chat
my credit was as good as this Australian
| gentlcmnn's Folks smack their lips when
they speak of him"
Whcrcat Ralph groaned.
eve may as well stop, them" he muir
INJURED
But Mr. Porter waved his hand in rather
a superior manner.
You Just leave it with me-" l>e said.
"Ws'vo not done with him yet. I'll tell
you soon enough when it's hopeless
ease.