Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-05-15

! hope on your return that you will
settle down and reside permanently
in the country"
He had it on the tip of his tongue
to hint that he must be prepared to
marry Lady Florence, but he wisely
refrained Nevertheless, he was as
full of the project as ever, and after
Toms departure he spoke to Lord La
burnum more plainly than he had
hitherto done. His lordship, with
out pledging himself, gave an en-
coeraging reply, and he resolved to
bring matters to q crisis Immediately
upon his sons return. The conse-
quence was that the task of settling
with Toms creditors proved quite an
agreeable relaxation, and did not
cause him moments ill-humor.
But he was very much startled and
disguised on hearing that his solicitor
had been asked to accept service of
writ on Toms behalf IN an action for
damages for breach of promise of
marriage brought by Mss Fabian
against her faithless lover The news
upset him considerably, for such a
scandal would set all the papers Cos
siping about bis antecedents, while
Tom could hardly fail to cut ridicu-
lous figure in the witness box. Old
Mr. Molyneux soon arrived at the
conclusion that the action must be
compromised at any cost, for the sake
of his own dignity, not to mention
the projected alliance with the La
burnums. He rushed up TO town in
quite frantic state, and dis regarding
the advice and protestations of his
solicitor, insisted that Miss Fabian's
claim should he settled forthwith at
any sacrifice, in order to avert the
danger of the affair finding its way
into the papers.
He was successful in his main OBJ
iect, but, rich man as he was, he
almost groaDed when he sat down 10
write the check that MISS Fabian's ad-
visers demanded. The amount was
represented by no less than five figures,
and the worst of it was that he got no
sympathy whatever from his solicitor,
who declared by going to trial, or even
by holding out, he might have saved
the greater part of the money.
In spite of his great relief that the
threatened scandal had been averted,
old Mr. Molyneux soon began to re-
greet the sacrifice he had made, and to
fret about his enormous loss. He was
not by any means penurlous man,
but, like all parvenus, he keenly APP
preciated the value of money. He did
not mind what he spent, so long as he
had something to show for his outlay;
but IN this instance the result attained
was entirely negative. Every one is
inclined to underrate a danger when
it has passed. and Mr.. Molyneux
could not help rejecting that he had
been too easily frightened. This UNI
comfortable reflection worried him
good deal, particularly when he
learned that Lord Labunum had
made arrangements to take his family
to the south of France for the winter.
This did not look as if his lordship
was very anxious about his daughters
marriage with Tom, and old Mr..
Molyneux was seized with an ominous
forebodmg when he heard the news.
Tom returned after an absence of
three or four months, and was evl-
dently not little apprehenslve of the
reception he would meet with He
had received some angry letters from
his father, referring to the damage he
had had to pay, and he, therefore, APP
peared nervous and embarrassed at
their first meeting. But the old man,
delighted at seeing him again, sought
to put him at his ease by saying;
I'm not going 10 allude to what
has happened, my boy. 1 am willing
to let bygones be bygones.
You are very good, father, but
"What is the matter2" inquired old
Mr. Molyneux, as Tom paused in con
fusion.
II still cling to the hope that you
will consent to my marriage with Miss
Fabian, " SAID Tom, desperately.
What" roared his father, with
great start.
you see, guv'nor, proceeded Tom,
I'm in a much better position than |
was before | went away. Then, as
you justly painted out, | was in debt,
| had no capital, and was altogether
uepehucuJ upon you. DuJ my uS9lo
are now paid, and as for capital
"Well, sir, what about capital?' in
terrupted the old man, TOO much
amazed to be angry.
There is the money you paid to
Miss Fabian, said Tom, with a fleet
ing smile. THE interest on it would
keep us from starving, and at least
it is enough to buy aud stock a farm
with"
"But-but paid the money because
you broke your promise to marry her,
urged his father. incredulously. She
would never marry you now.
II think she would, replied Tom,
in confident tone.
THE fact is, sir, that have been
victimized, exclaimed old Mr.. Molly
neux suddenly, as the truth flashed
across his mind.
Not exactly. father-at least, not
vet, returned Tom with great earn
estness. Il hope you will not with
hold your consent to our marriage.
If you will consent the money shall
Ia, ,,o-iI ,rc,5 as n vyprp and both of