Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-11-29
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Miss Wilkinson and The V. C. y


should he want to marry your"
For my hateful money" was the bit
ter answer.
Mamie, the Ennesdale title is one OF
the oldest in England, and the Scropes
are enormously wealthy"
But Capt. Scrope isn't the eldest SON."
He is the only son now. His brother
is dead"
'Why isn't he called lord Ralnh
them"
Because my dear little owl, his father
rs baron, not an earl. But if you don't
care for him. l am glad you did not
Know. | don't want you to tack him for
his future title. He is far too good
fellow for such u fate l do hope.
though, that you did not tell him yon
thought he wanted to marry you for
your money. What did you say ?"
say And Mamie gave dreary
little laugh. Why, that it was an insult
to ask a woman to be his wife of whom
he knew so little; that he only wanted
my money; that he was poor bargain;
that even Michaelovitch was better
one; and that | hated him"
Edith's fair face flushed darkly with
anger She was about to tell her friend
her opinion in no measured terms, but
Mamie looked at her rather piteously,
and went on
Don't give me up altogether Eide. 1t
was vile Of NE. But if YOU only knew
what / have suffered! From the time [
was child l have been spoilt simply
because of my fathers dollars All those
wretched men who have proposed to me
since ! left school and have been living
with my aunt III Paris only wanted the
money; not one of them cared an atom
for me personally. | was so sick and
tired of it all. Then. when [ came to see
You your people We're so good to me that
! | began to forget it. None of you ever
seemed to remember that l was the rich
Miss Wilkinson. Ralph"-his name
slipped out uncOnsciously-'l laughed at
me and treated me just as he did YOU
or any other girl. How was l to tell
that he cared for me? He had known
me such a short time, and | am not pref
ty or clever. Then he asked me to marry
him without ever telling me he loved me.
| Now | have hurt him and offended you.
and Won will never have anything more
20 10 with me-" Her lips quivcred, and
her eyes filled with tears.
Poor little soul! Well, | did feel
furious with you for treating the dear
old fellow like that, but it is nonsense
to talk of giving you up. or any such
! rubbish. What do you suppose | should
do without you? Was Ralph very an
CRY? What did he say?'
"Not very much, but he was very
white, and his eyes positively flashed.
was frightened. Then he begged my pay-
don, and said he was blunderer but
that | need not fear he would ever again
ask me to share my money with him
he wouldn't do it to save his life"
Edith looed very grave, and sighed.
"Then it is all over. He never will
The Scropes are like that. If they have
once said thing. whether it is reason
able or not, nothing will make them
change. 1t is like running ones head
against a stone wall to argue with them.
Well, as you don't care for him, that
doesn't so much matter. But poor old
Ralph, am sorry for him, and especially
that it has happened just now"
"Why just now?"
Didn't he tell you? l wonder why
He heard this morning that he is ordered
out to South Africa at once. | suppose
that was the reason he spoke to you to-
night. He had meant to stay day or
two longer, but, after all, it is better for
you thaC you uont care LOT MN, as ne
must 60"
Mamie said nothing for few mo-
ments, then, shivering a little, she kissed
her friend, and said
81 think l will go to bed, Eide. al,
so tired"
Poor dear l expect you are. You
look wretched. Stay in bed in the morn
ing, if year head is no better" And the
warm hearted girl, after atfectionately
kissing the little pale face, departed to
her own room.
Mamie, left alone began wandering
aimlessy up and down. with set, frozen
look on her face, restlessly twisting her
hands one within the other.
Every now and then she whispered,
"How cold it is-how cold!" though there
was not a breath of air stirring.
Once she stepped out on to the balcony,
but the scent of lilac and syringa, and
the nightingale's MARBLE smote her with
thrill of pain and she resumed her
pacing to and fro.
As the gray dawn filtered into the
room, she stopped in front of the dress
ing table, and looked steadfastly at her
self in the glass.
Mamie Wilkinson" she said, apos-
trophising her reflection, you have be-
haved like a fool. but think your folly
will cost You dear