Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-05-16

catching the next train to town, leaving
his father master of the situation. The
old man considered he had gained a
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 injunction.
He did not doubt that Master Tom
would see the folly of his ways; and,
sure enough, two days afterwards the
young man reappeared, looking decid-
eddy sheepish and rendered his submits
sion. He even brought a copy of the
letter he had written to the young lady,
which Mr.. MolyneuN thought a little
too curt and matter of fact. if any fault
was to be found with it. However, he
was not inclined to be hypocritical in
this respect and he heartily applauded
Toms action.
I'm going away for a bit, guv'nor,"
said the lad, who WINGED a little at his
fathers boisterous good humor, and
seemed half ashamed of his conduct.
webster and some other fellows have
hired a yacht, and sail for Madeira to-
morrow"
t'By all means, my boy" cried MI.
Molyneux, secretly delighted that his son
should leave England for awhile at this
ju%ncture, ''and look here, Tom, while
you r away l will settle matters with
these friends of yours"
He produced rathera formidable list
of names and figures as he spoke. and
Tom started with surprise, as well he
might, at perceiving how full and ac-
curate was his fathers knowledge of his
%pecuniary embarrassments. The old
man cut short his sons confused pro-
testations of gratitude and apology by
saying, good-humoredly:
"Well, well, you must turn over a
new leaf, my boy. Reasonable econ
omy must henceforth be the order ofthe
day, and 1 hope that on your return you
will settle down and reside permanently
in the country"
He held it On the tip of his tongue to
hint that he must be prepared to marry
Lady Florence; but he wisely re-
Trained. Nevertheless he was as full of
the project as ever, and after Toms de-
parture he spoke to Lord Laburnum
more plainly than he had hitherto done.
His Lordship without pledging himself,
gave him an encouraging reply; and he
resolved to bring matters to crisis i'm
mediately upon his sons return. The
consequence was that the task of settling
with TOMS creditors proved quite III
agreeable relaxation, and did not cause
him a moments ill-humor.
But he was very much startled and
disguised on hearing that his solicitor
had been asked to accept service of a
writ on TOMS behalf in an action for
damages for breach of promise of mar
riagc brought by Miss Fabin against her
faithless lover. The news upset him
considerably, for such a scandal would
set all the papers gossiping about his
antecedents, while Tom could hardly
fail to cut a ridiculous figure. in the wit
ness 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 men
ton the projected alliance with the
Laburnums. He rushed up to town in
quite a frantic state. and disregarding
the advice and protestations of his solicit
tor, insisted that Miss Fabian's claim
should be settled forthwith at any sacri-
flee, in order to avert the danger of the
affair finding its way into the papers.
He was successful in his main object,
but. rich man as he was, he almost
groaned when he sat down to write the
check that Miss Fabian's advisers de-
manded. The amount was represented
by 10 less than five figures, and the
worst of it was thathe got no sympathy
whatever from his solicitor, who de-
clared that by going to trial, OF 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 sacrefice he had made and to fret
about his enormous loss. He was not
by anymeans a penurious man, but, like
all parvenus, he keenly appreciated the
value of money. He did not mind what
he spent SO long s he had something to
show for his outlay; but in this instance
the result attained was entirely mega
tive. Every one is inclined to underrate
a danger when it has passed, and Mr..
Molyneux couldno help suspecting that
he had been too easily frightened. This
uncomfortable reflection worried him a
good deal, particularly when he learned
that Lord Laburnum had made arrange
ments to take his family to the South of
France for the. winter. This did not
look as if his lordship was very anxious
abouthis daughters marriage with Tom,
and old Mr. Molyneux was seized with
an ominous forebod1ng when he heard
the news.
Tom returned after an absence of
three or four months, and was evidently
noo little apprehensive of the reception
he would meet with. He had received
some angry letters from his father, re-
ferring to the damages he had had to
pay; and he therefore appeared 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 to allude to what has
happened, my boy. I'm willing to let
by-gones be by-gones."
''You are very good father, but
but"
What is the matter:?" inquired old
Mr.. Molyneux, as Tom paused in con-
fusion.
81 still cling to the hope that you will
consent to my marriage with Miss
Fabin," said Tom, desperately.
What - rOared his father with a