Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1884-08-29
MASTER TOMS ENGAGE
ME\T.

rLrally, havln. taken over at the same time
In" good viii. - To sl"ak, of It's former owIr
e. clai Influence and dignity. In C )nsid-
Grafton II III, great wealth his neigibors
CLarIithiy Ignored the fact that his father
had been small ira ieSinan and that he HIM
>,t mad car rl,d on a lucrative business i'll the
hardware line for many Years He
was not n bad old fellow, his vulgar
ity being of subdued and inoffensive
kind. and consequently he was received in
the best country society. But he aspired to
even greater ditinction for his pet project
was TO marry his own son, Tom, to one of
the earl of Laburnum's daughters. There
seemed no reason why this auspcious event
should not come about, for the Lady Flor
ence looked kindly upon Master Tom, and
his lordship had more than once limited that
he would raise no objection Lord Labur-
mum was the lord lieutenant Of the county,
and an alliance with his family meant ad-
mission into the most aristocratic circles
Unfortunately Master Tom was rather a
scapegrace aud his father preferred to let
HIM see little of the world before revealing
the high honors that We're in store for him.
The fact was Tom showed no prediction
whatever for the Lady Florence, and he was
just OF that democratic age when youth is
apt to uncerrate social advantages. The
old man hol ed that when Tom had had his
fling he would legin to awake to the RESPONSE
bllitlcs of his position, and be amenable to
reason. He knew that Tom was raising a
very respectable crop of debts, and that before
long his parental assistance would
be sought. When the crisis arrived he intended
To make known his wishes, and to take
advantage of the lads Sembarrassments to inl-
pose conditions Meanwhile rs Tom seemed
To have given his heart rowing commission,
there was no apparent danger Of his seriously
compromising his affections.
One day, however, the young man came
down from town, where he was ostensbly
studying for the bar. aid, with a very grave
and deter mined ar announced that he was
engaged to be married. Old MIR. MolyneuX
nearly had tit of apoplexy on the spot and
when Tom proceeded to state that the young
lady earned her own living by carrying on
the business of dressmaker at the West
End. his horror and Indignation knew no
bounds In vain Tom pleaded that Miss
Fabian was a lady 10y birth and education,
and that the poverty of her family was her
only crime. His father became more and
more furious, until Tom showed symptoms
of fiat rebellion.
Think OF your position in the county,"
cried old Mr.. Molyneux, perceiving this and
wisely making All effort to control himself
Il will take it for granted, if you like, that
the girl is an exemplary character She may
he lady like and well educated and all the
rest of it. But her station is altogether i'll
ferior to yours"
Il don't see that" said Tom stubbornly.
"Why, of course. 1t is ridiculous" said
the old gentleman, swelling with self-impor-
tance. "Her father, You say, is a poor out
at.elbow devil of a clerk in the CITY,"
"Fve never noticed his coat had holes in it.n
retorted Tom. "As for his being clerk in
the city, so you were-once. The only diff
ference Is that you have been more fortunate
than he and have made enough money to re-
tire upon"
"None OF your Internal radical nonsense
here, sir" cried old Mr.. Molyneux, infuri-
ated at this reference to his own origin ut
would be just as sensible to say that you and
l are the equals Of Lord Laburnum because
Adam was our common ancestor. What
does 1t matter If was once a clerk in the
city! have since attained a superior grade
i'll the social SCALE and that is the fact that
must be faced. BY marrying the daughter
of city clerk, who earns her living by dress
making, you would make a misalliance"
Just as Lady Florence would by marry
ing NE" said Tom, looking wonderfully in-
nocent.
"Who is talking about Lady Florence"
said old Mr.. Nolyneux, taken aback by this
unexpected thrust.
"Nobody-only | have an idea that YOU
wish me to marry out Of my station" re-
torted Tom.
IL don't wish you to marry at all, sir, not
for many long year, cried the old man,
fairly nonplussed.
"What mean is father" said Tom, dog
gedly, that l see 10 more harm in marrying
below ones station--to Use your own terms
than 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" exclaimed Mr..
Molyneux. II don't want to have an argu-
ment with you. The long and short OF the
matter is that won't hear of this foolish en-
gagement There! 1t is no use talking. Let
there I've an end Of it, or shall have some
thing very unpleasant to say"
The old man bounced out of the room as he
spoke not little startled and amazed at his
sons tone and attitude. Hitherto Tom had
never ventured to argue with him, partly
from flial 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 coached for the in
| terview. This suspicion explained Master
Toms unaccustOmed readiness of repartee
which had made him appear a dangerous ad-
versary. Relieved in his mind by the dis
covery, old Mr. Molyneux gradually cooled
down and completely recovered his self conf
dence. He easily convinced himself that
Tom would never dare to disobey him, and,
instead of feeling the least apprehensive of
the marriage taking place, he was only un-
easy lest rumors Of the engagement should
reach the Laburnums
He rrudently resolved to treat the matter
as definitely disposed of, and to make no
| further allusion to it-at all events until
Tom had had time for reflection. Judging
from appearances, the lad seemed completely
subdued. He spent the next few days
Slaughtering pheasants III a detected and
sulky frame Of mind. His father smiled
within himself aud held his tongue, though
he showed by his manner that he did not in
tend to be trifled with. When he considered
that he might safely speak he said one morn
ing, with assumed carelessness:
"Well, my boy, what are you going to dor
"rm going to shoot over Baileys farm, re-
Ped Tom.
"Nonsense. You know what l am re-
ferring to-" said the old man, turning red.
II am speaking Of this idiotic love affair"
"Oh. Well, of course, l must keep my
word" said Tom, with flushed cheek.
"What, you have wiitten to break it off, :"
said Mr.. Molyneux, feigning surprise.
NO, guv'nor, l haven't" said Tom. u
hoped you would have softened by this
time"
"And believed you would have remem
bered that your first duty was to obey your
father" cried the old man, beginning to boil.
do you mean to tell me that you still con.
template marrying "a dressmakerr
"She has sold her business. father" said
Tom, eagerly. "She might have done better
had she waited bit, but out of Difference to
your wishes"
"My wishes" interrupted Mr.. Molyneux,
angrily. don't care if she carries on twenty
businesses What | say is that you shall
never marry her with my consent That's
al