The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-04-19

boil "Do you mean to tell me that you
still contemplate marrying "a dressmak-
er?"
''She has sold her business, father, said
Tom, eagerly. "She might have done bet
ter had she waited bit, but out of defer
ence to your wishes"
"My wishes!' interrupted Mr.. Molyneux,
angrily. 'I don't care if she carries ON 20
businesses. What l say is that you shall
never marry her with my consent. That's
ALL"
II should be very sorry to disobey you,
father" began Tom, gravely, "but-
"Look here, my boy" interrupted the
old gentleman, quickly, speaking with un-
natural calmness "let us understand each
other l forbid this foolish engagement,
and order you to break it off instantly
That is my bark. Now for my bite. You
leave my house within an hour, and unless
you inform me in the course of a week that
the affair is at an end 1 stop supplies. If
you persist in marrying the girl, then by
heaven will alter my will and leave
every farthing l possess to your cousin Ted
in fact, l will make him my heir and
discard you altogether
1t is doubtful whether the old man
would have carried out this serious threat,
for he was fond of his son, and proud of
him in way, but he looked very deter
mined when he uttered it and Tom was
evidently impressed. The lad dropped his
eyes before his fathers irate glance aud the
ruddy color left his cheeks for an instant,
"You know, Tom, he added, noticing
the wholesome effect of his words, "you are
entirely dependent upon me, and unless
you took to poaching l don't see how you
could possibly earn crust. Besides, you
are up to your ears in debt"
II don't owe much" " said Tom, quickly,
with tell-tale blush.
"You will find out that you owe a good
deal when your creditors learn that l have
made your cousin Ted my heir" said the
old man, enigmatically.
Tom was evidently seriously discon-
certed by this remark He turned on his
heel, mpttering something about catching
the next train to town, leaving his father
master of the situation. The old man con-
sidered he had gained signal victory, and
was, therefore, not the least perturbed when
his son started off to the station with his
luggage, in literal accordance with his in
junction. He did not doubt that Master
Tom would gee the folly of his ways and,
sure enough, two days afterward the young
man reappeared, looking decidedly sheepish
and rendered his submission. He even
brought copy Of the letter he had written
to the young lady, which Mr. Molyneux
thought little too curt and matter of fact,
if any fault was to be found with it.
However, he was not inclined to be hyper
critical in this respect and he heartily ap-
plapded Toms action.
"l'm going away for bit, guvnor,"
said the lad, who WINGED little at his
fathers boisterous good humor, and seemed
halfashamed of his conduct. "Webster
and some other fellows have hired yacht
and sail for Madeira tomorrow"
"By all means, my boy, v cried Mr.. Molly
neux, secretly delighted that his son should
leave England for awhile at this juncture;
land look here, Tom, while you are away
l will settle matters with these friends of
yours"
He produced rather formidable list of
names and figures as he spoke, and Tom
started with surprise, and well he might,
at percelving how full and accurate was his
fathers knowledge of his pecuniary embar-
rassments. The old man cut short his
sons confused protestations of gratitude
and apology by saying good-humoredly:
"Well, well, you must turn over new
leaf, my boy, Reasonable economy Muat
be the order of the day, and | 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 Florencei but he wisely retained.
Nevertheless he was full of the project as
ever, and after Toms departure he spoke
to Lord Laburnum more plainly than he
had hitherto done. His lordship, without
pledging himself, gave an encouraging re-
ply; and he resolved to bring matters to a
crisis Immediately upon his sons return.
The consequence was that the task of set.
Ting with Toms creditors proved quite an
agreeable Taxation, and did not cause him
a moments ill-humor.
But he was very much startled and dis
gusted 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
Miss Fabian against her faithless lover
The news upset him considerably, for such
scandal would set all the papers gossipipg
| h. xxyhil 10
hardly fail to cut ridiculous figure in the
witness box. Old Mr.. Molyneux soon ar
rived at the conclusion that the action must
be compromised at any cost: for the sake
of his own dignity, not to mention the pro-
jected alliance with the Laburnums He
rushed up to town in quite frantic state,
and disregarding the advice and protesta-
tiops of his solicitor, insisted that Miss Fa-
bian's claim should be 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 object, but
rich as he was he almost groaned when he
sat down to write the check that Miss Fa-
bian's advisers demanded. The amount
was represented by no less than five figures,
and the worst of it was that he got no SYM
pathy whatever from his solicitor, who de-
clared that 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 regret the
sacrifice he had made and to fret about his
enormous loss, He was not by any means
penurious man, but, like all parvenus, he
keenly appreciated 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 danger when it has passed, and
Mr.. Molyneux could not help suspecting
that he mad been too easily frightened