Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-05-16
But her station is altogether in

said the old gentleman, swelling with
self.iLaportance. "Her father, you say,
is a poor out-at-elbows devil of a clerk
in the city,"
''I've never noticed his coat had holes
in it," retorted Tom. "As for his being
a clerk in the city, so were you-once.
The only difference is that you have
been more fortunate than he and have
made enough money to retire upon"
''None of your Internal Radical nom
sense here, sir!!' cried old Mr. Molyneux,
Infatuated at this reference to his own
origin. "It would be Just as sensible to
say thatyo and 1 are the equals of Lord
Laburnum because Adam was our COM
mon ancestor. What does it matter
if 1 was once a clerk in the city? I have
since attained a superior grade in the
social scale, and that is the fact that
must be faced. By marrying the daugh-
ter of a city clerk, who earns her living
by dressmaking, you would make a mis-
alliance"
.:Just as Lady Florence would by
marrying me-" said Tom, looking Won
derfully innocent.
s'Who is talking about Lady Flor
ence?" said old Mr.. MolyneuX, taken
aback by this unexpected thrust.
'tNobody-only l have an idea that
you wish me to marry out of my sta
tion," retorted Tom.
II don't wish you to marry at all, sir,
not for many a long year," cried the old
man, fairly nonplussed.
"What 1 mean is, father" said Tom,
%doggedly, ''that l see no more harm in
marrying below ones station-to use
your own term-thani in marrying above
it. If one is wrong the other must be-"
"Stuff and nonsense, sir! You don't
know what you are talking about" ex-
claimed Mr.. Molyneux. 81 don't want
to have an argument with you. The
long and short Of the matter is that I
won't hear of this foolish engagement.
There! 1t is no use talking. Let
there be ar end of it, or I shall have
something very unpleasant to say"
The old man bounced out of the room
as he spoke, not a little startled and
amazed at his.son's tone and attitude.
Hitherto Tom had never ventured to
argue with him, partly from filial duty
and partly from inherent weakness Of
character. He began to fear that the
lad possessed unexpected firmness, until
he soothed his mind by the reflection
that he had probably been carefully
coached for the interview, This sus-
picion explained Master Toms unaccus-
toned readiness of repartee, which had
made him appear a dangerous adyer-
sary. Relieved in his mind by the dis
covery, old Mr.. Molyneux gradually
cooled down and completely recovered
his sel~f-confidence. He easily convinced
himself that Tom would never dare to
disobey him, and instead of feeling the
least apprehensive of the marriage tax
ing. place was only uneasy lest rumors
OF the engagement should reach the La
burnums.
He p%rudently resolved to treat the
matter as definitely disposed of, and to
make no further allusion, to tat all
events until Tom had had time for re-
Election. Judging from appearances,
the lad seemed completely. subdued.
He spent the next few days slaughtering
p%heasants IN a detected and sulky frame
of mind. His father smiled within him.
self and held his tongue, though he
showed by his name that he did not
intend to be triled with. When he con-
sidered that he might safely speak he
said n morning with assumed care
lessness:
'tWell, my boy, what are you going
to do?"
'I'm going to shoot over Bailey's
farm" replied Tom.
"Nonsense. You know what 1 am
referring to-" said the old man, turning
red. II am speaking of this idiotic
love affair.""
..Oh! Well, of course, 1 must Keep
my word" said Tom, with flushed
cheek.
"FWhat! you have written to break it
off" said Mr.. Molyneux, feigniug sur
prise.
"No, g%uv'nor, I haven't" said Tom.
81 hoped you would have softened by
this time"
"And I believed you would have re-
membered that your first duty was to
obey your father" cried the. old man,
beginning to boil. aDo you mean to
tell me that you still contemplate marry
ing "a dressmaker?"
"She has sold her business, father"
said Tom, eagerly. ''She might have
done better had she waited a bit, but
out of Difference to your wishes"
"My wishes!" interrupted Mr.. Molly
neux, angrily. 81 don't care if she
carries on twenty businesses. What 1
say is that you shall never marry her
with my consent. That's all"
81 should be very sorry to disobey
you, father" began Tom gravely,
ssbut-"
"Look here, my boy" interrupted
the old gentleman, quickly, speaking
with unnatural calmness, .:let us un,
derstand each other. forbid this fool
ish engagement, and 1 order you to
break it off instantly. That is my bark.
Now for my bite. You leave my house
within IN hour, and unless you inform
me in the course of a week that the
affair is at an end 1 stop supplies. II
you persist in marrying the girl, then,
by Heaven! / will alter my will and
leave every farthing | 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 really carried out this
serious threat, for he was fond of his
son, ana proud of him in u way, but he
looked very determined when he uttered
it, and Tom WA. evidently impressed.