The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-01-27

rage
II am dear Amy's guardian, you know,
interposed Lady Falcon. II thought
recollected clause of that sort in the will
When can I have the money, Mr.. Deeds 2
''The trustees appear to have no discre-
ton in the matter" continued Mr.. Deeds,
with his nose still buried in the document
well, I suppose the money must be raised,
Lady Falcon. No help for it, I'm afraid,
he added, with grim humor.
"Could you let me have it Immediately
Mr.. Deeds ?" inquired the lady, anxiously.
ssThe time is so short, and there are so
many things to be purchased, [ must begin
shopping Immediately"
"My dear madam there can be no such
violent hurry as all that" said Mr.. Deeds.
Besides, the preliminaries of the marriage
are not arranged yet [ must put myself
into communication with the young gentle
man about the settlement. By the by,
what is his name?"
"Oh. never mind the settlement. 1t Is
quite unnecessary" said her ladyship,
sharply. "My daughters future husband
has nothing to settle As for the money
that Amy will come in for at my death, it
is secured to her own use by her father
will. [ remember noticing that. 1t is so !;
isn't it"
eyes, certainly; it is So, replied Mr..
Deeds. ''But, still, even in that case, and
though the gentleman may have nothing, a
settlement is advisable"
"My dear Mr. Deeds Really, you le-
gal gentlemen are too absurd, laughed
Lady Falcon. II mean, of course, the
system is absurd" she added, noticing the
flush on the lawyers cheek. GAS dear
Amys natural as well as legal guardian, l
am quite content to dispense with settle
ment. Thank you all the same for the
suggestion, Mr.. Deeds. I hope you will
let me have the money at once"
"Certainly not, madam returned Mr.
Deeds, sulkily II shall have to sell out
stock, and that will involve some days de-
lay-perhaps fortnight"
'At all events, you will let me have it
as soon as possible, I'm sure" said Lady
Falcon, with a sudden accession of gracious
ness, as she rose from her seat and extend
ed her hand.
''Therc shall be no undue delay" re-
piled Mr.. Deeds, somewhat mollified.-
''Perhaps you will kindly convey my con-
gratuations to the young lady. You did
not mention the gentleman's name, L be-
lieve," added the lawyer, as he bowed his
visitor out.
Didn't /? Oh, I'm sure you don't
know him." said Lady Falcon, carelessly,
ssPonder his namei is, Charley Ponder. Good
day, Mr.. Deeds"
When her ladyship had gone, Mr.. Deeds
returned to his desk, and made note of
the name on his blotting pad. He did
this from long acquired habit of taking
notes. He felt very uneasy in his mind
when he thought over the conversation
that had just taken place. 1t seemed the
height of folly to hand over large sum
of money to Lady Falcon. She would
probably squander it, if not actually upon
herself, at least by making imprudent and
reckless purchases for her daughter Mr..
Deeds remembered that at the time of
drawing the will he had pointed out the
risk of such clause but the testator had
insisted upon it, and the lawyer could not,
out of delicacy, press his objection too
strongly. The result was that he now
found himself obliged to pay f5O0 pounds
to foolish, extravagant woman, who could
be safely relied upon to fritter it away In
the most ridiculous manner. His only con-
ISOLATION was that by the terms of the will
he was absolutely powerless in the matter,
and incurred no responsibility by parting
with the money.
He was scarcely less disgusted at Lady
Falcons conduct in so airily disregarding
his advice about a settlement 1t was true
that her daughters money was settled upon
herself by the will, but the precaution was
by no means sufficient Ifthe young lady S
husband could not touch it, there was
nothing to prevent her handing over every
farthing of it to him, unless she were pro-
tected from her own weakness and her
husbands influence by Intervention of
trustees. Moreover, surely the young man
this Mr.. Ponder-might be persuaded to
make some provision for his wife at his
death. Even if he were a poor man, he
could and ought to insure his life; and
probably it would only be necessary to
broach the subject to him in order to get
him to do what was proper and usual.
However, in this matter as in the other,
Mr.. Deeds was unable to interfere. Lady
Falcon was the legal guardian of her chill
dren during her life, and the lawyer knew
from experience that she would not listen
to him if he were to repeat his advice,
But he resolved to make inquiries about
young Mr.. Ponder, and if possible, to get
introduced to him, in order to sound him
as to his willingness to execute settlement.
In justice to Mr.. Deeds, it should be stated
that his motives were perfectly honest and
disinterested, his only desire being to pro-
mote Miss Amy's welfare.
A week or two slipped by before he
came across any one who happened to be
acquainted with the bridegroom elect, and
| ,oooDxyb;lo he cont Tadv Faloon tho f6O0