Memoirs of a millionaire — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Memoirs of a millionaire
John Stuart Mill · en
The connection between the defunct millionaire and the charming girl
upon whom he has lavished all his wealth seems hard to prove. From all
that could be learned, however, it seems conclusive that an engagement
existed between them, and that the death of Mr. Dunreath was a great
shock to the fortunate lady of his choice. In the absence of any family
or near relatives, Mr. D. being an only son and a bachelor, she will
find no one to dispute the will. This latter point was confirmed by her
lawyer, Mr. Kilrain, of No. 55 Pemberton Square, who, however, remained
very provokingly non-committal on all other points of interest,
intimating that he was thus obeying the instructions of his fair client,
who modestly wishes to avoid the sudden notoriety which her fortune will
necessarily bring upon her.
A call on some of her co-workers in the Associated Charities revealed
the fact that Miss Brewster is ardently absorbed in her work, and has
been peculiarly successful in winning the hearts of the street _gamins_
in her district. She is interested in various charities, and it is
anticipated that her increased wealth will not lessen the time nor the
interest which she has devoted to her various benefactions.
It was intimated from one source that Miss Brewster holds very
pronounced views upon women’s rights, and will probably use a great part
of her wealth in advancing the cause of female suffrage, but this we are
loth to believe.
(Extract from the “Boston Globe.”)
... After waiting an hour and calling at three different times, the
representative of the “Globe” was finally so fortunate as to encounter
the fair lady in whom the public is now feeling so warm an interest. She
had just returned home, and was standing in the hall with her little
toque of wine-colored velvet still crowning her chestnut tresses, and
her tall, stately figure draped from head to foot in a fur-trimmed cloak
of the same shade.
She received the “Globe” representative most courteously, ushering him
into a cosy little reception room, and meanwhile drawing off the _gants
de suede_ which encased her shapely hands. She seemed nervous and tired,
but had a brilliant color which deepened perceptibly when requested to
grant an interview. The involuntary look of surprise and _hauteur_ which
accompanied this only enhanced her beauty, but quickly recovering
herself she replied without embarrassment that there was nothing
whatever that she wished to state to the public. She had not been
apprised of the nature of the will until within three days. Since then
she had been overwhelmed with business arrangements, and was very tired
and wished to see only her intimate friends.