New-York tribune., 1907-01-27
LOVE. CAREARE. AND
A PLUTOCRAT

we may have thought and said as children"
She broke off suddenly Surely YOU must
know why am here, Boyce'"
81 do not"
"Theu l viii tell vou and the blunter am
the better Tor u both. IL Is not a pretty Con-
fession, since YOU still believe in the Ruth
Calvert YOU knew centuries ago Her Voice
Nas weary. She got tired OF the struggle,
Boyce and died. When MiIlv sent Tor me. I
kncw she Wa thinking ot my future huu-
bei my PRIDE and let he- give me All the clothes
am wearing. We have the decencv not 70
talk about Il; but know what I'm expected
10 do, and I can't fail Nulv-and Boyce. /
don't want 70. | sold myself when let her
dress me, and uow I'm gong 10 sell myself all
over again 70 some man Who wiu dress ne
always
B5yye recoilei a. from phvs;ca, blow. and
She WINGED with the knowledge "Whv do
YOU talk such rot. Ruth. You couldn't do It.
You know YOU couldn Q.
"Oh, YES. | can Boyce. This Ruth can.
You won remember that Yours Is dead. I'm
thought Il beauty, now | have fine feathers.
Two men have proposed - me here One was
rich enough % satisfy Milly: but 50 impossible
Il couldn't do Il. She was NICE but dIsap-
pointed. The other Is not 50 rich, but brain-
less and arniabc, He is still dangling. Surely.
Boyce." She went on IN the same monotonOuS.
lifeless fashion, YOU know why she wanted
Mr. Pcrham presented: She was heavenly
agreeable - me attcrwdrI. I-Bovce. he
asks me. | shall have - marry him, and he
almost asked HE ll~l IlGtil
OH me iii dii he muttered Bovce. His
world seemed slippery just then. There was
no mlstlking Kuth's earneStness.
oh. | know how contemplate I seem to
YOU, how Contempuble ! really am; but |
couldn't take the step without telling YOU I
despise myself. ! should have written vou
and perhaps have begged YOU % come u see
me once so might ask YOU to forgive me. VIII
YOU, Boyce9"
Ruth Calvert. where IS YOUR plucl,7"
\ ,i,r,' = e,
walk so many miles to save carfare that your
feet won't carry YOU any tartheri l am
tired out coward"
Ruth. have YOU forgotten?"
She WINGED again, and her words came in .
frightened whisper. Il must, and 50 must
vou!'
He asked with tense voice and sharp dis
| tnctress, You can marry Perham?"
"Boyce, he Is 50 much better than the
others. Nlllly SAYS ne IS respected among men.
man Of his word. think-oh, | nusti |
can't FAIL Think what comforts / can heap
| around aunty! Ny spirit IS broken. Perhaps
shall love him some day
" Ruth, Tor Gods sake and Your own woman-
| hood and the honor OF Your family. cut all
this and marry me to-davl You are madl
Marry me and let the devil and all his works
go hangl"
Il can't, Bovce, can't! It's in nv blood
now this infection. I've had a taste of ease
and luxury. I'm thirsty for more! It's only
the sight of YOU that stirs the old self. did
love YOU once!" They had reached the Break
ers, and She held out her hand
81 "GodSt | can't let YOU 90 ike thisl" he
cried. I've been too stunned To argue with
YOU. Walk on farther"
Not She said fercely. "No! MY weak
ness Is over. Ii You ever loved me, YOU will
never speak of this u ME again. 1t IS good bv
forever She turned and almost ran into the
hotel.
That night when they were Waiting to-
sether, silently, desperately Boyce whispered
one last appeal. She looked mourufullv into
his eyes, then closed her own and answered:
" Good by"
When Perhan raped at Meade's door after
the ball he found him buSily packing. NV
dear fellow" he asked, what does this mean -
lust that I'm not very game have ac-
complished what you brought me for and
must get back TO town"
man"
"Oh. its all settled. IS it," The shaft of
scorn recoiled, blunted against Perham's pink
armor
Well, yes. She's got an eve to the main
chance. But Confound il who could blame
herr She's mt 70 be queen. and she can walk
over me all right. BY Jove she'll take a reef
or two out of some Of those Fifth Avenue
How "a. 90