Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-10-23
"Well. my boy. what are you go.r

Nonsense. You know what am
referring to-" said the cid man. IT
am speaking OF this idiotlc love af
fair"
'Oh! Well, of course, 1 must keep
my word, said Tom, with flushed
cheek.
what, you haven't written to break
it off," said Mr.. Molyneux, feigning
surprise.
mo, guv'nor, haven't" said Tom.
81 hoped you would have softsned by
this time"
'Aud l believed you would have
remembered that your first duty was
TO obey your father" cried the old
man, beginning to boil. ''Do you
mean 10 tell me that you still con-
template marrying "a dress max
erf"
"She has sold her business, father, y
said Tom, eagerly. "She might have
done better had she waited bit, but
out of Difference to your wishes, she
"My wishes :" interrupted Mr.. Molly
neux, angrily. II don't care if she
carries On twenty businesses. What
say is that you shall never marry
her with my consent"
81 should be very sorry to disobey
you, father" began Tom gravely,
"but-"
"Look here, my boy" interrupted
the gentleman quickly, speaking with
unnatural calmness, ''letus understand
each other. / forbid this foolish en-
gagement, and order you to break il
off Instantly. That is my bark. Now
for my bite. You leave my house
within an hour, and, unless you in
form nae in the course of a week tina
the affair is at az end, stop supplies
If you persist in marrying the girl
then, by heaven! | will alter my will
and leave every farthing | possess t.
your cousin Ted-in fact | will make
him my heir and discard you alto
gether."
1t is doubtful whether the old mar
would have really carried out this
serious threat, for he was fond Of his
he looked very determined when ho
uttered it and Tom was evidently i'm
pressed. The lad dropped his eyes
/ before his fathers irate glance, anc
the ruddy color left his checks for al
instant.
"You know, Tom" he added, no
ticing the wholesome effect of hi
words, "you are entirely dependent
upon me, and unless you took t.
poaching, | don't see how you coulc
possibly} earn a crust. Besides, yol
are up to your ears in debt.
II don't owe much" said Ton
quickly, with a tell tale blush.
"You will find o9t that you owe ;
good deal when your creditors Learn
that have made your cousin Ted ny
heir" said the old man enigmatical
ly.
Tom was evidently seriously dis
concerted by this remark. lie turnec
on his heel. muttcring something
about catching the next train to town
leaving his father masterof the sltua
ton. The old man considered he h2c
gained Il signal victory, and was
therefore, not the least perturbed
when his son started off to the StatlCL
with his luggage, in literal accordance
with his injunction. lie did not doub
that Master Tom would see the folly
I OF his WAYS; and, sure enough, two
days afterward the young man reap
peared, looking decidedly sheepish
aud rendered his submission. Tx
even brought a copy of the letter he
had written to the young lady, WIZ
Mr. Molyneux thought a little too
curt and matter of fact, if any faul
was TO be found with it, However
he was not inclined to be hypercriiica
in this respect, and he heartily APP
plauded Toms action.
'I'm going away for q bit, guv'
nor" said the lad, who had wincheG
a little at his fathers hCisterous goot
humor, and seemed half ashamed o
his conduct. webster and some
other fellows have hired a yacht, ant
sail for Madeira tomorrow"
''By all means, my bov," cried Mr.
Molyneux, secretly delighted that hi
son should leave England for awhil'
at this juncture; land look here
Tom, while you are away | will settlt
matters with these friends Of yours
lie produced rather formidable
list of names as he spoke, and Ton
started with surprise, as well he nigh
at perceiving how full and accurat
was his fathers knowledge of his pc
cuniary embarrassment. The OLE
man cut short his sons protesta
tons of gratitude and apology b.
saying, good humorcdly:
well, well, you must turn over a,
new leaf, my boy. Reasonable econ
| n,,,y ,,,uct banoafortb l,n %bo o.Ja. =,
the day; and hope on your return
that you will settle down and resid,
permanently in the country.
He had it on the top of his tongue I,
hint that he must be prepared to marry
Lady Florence; but he wisely re
framed. Nevertheless, he was as full
of the project as ever, and after Tom
departure he spoke to Lord Laburpun
more plainly than he had hitherto
done. His Lordship, without pleds
ing himself, gave him an encourag
ing reply; and he resolved to bring
matters to crisis Immediately upor
his sons return. The consequence
was that the task of settling with
Toms creditors proved quite au agree
able relaxation, and did not cause hin
a moments ill~humor.
But he was very much startled and
disguised on hearing that his solicitor
had been asked to accept service of S
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 8
scandal would SGT all the papers Cos.
sipiug about his antecedents, while
Tom could hardly fail to cut a ridicu-
lous figure in the witness box. Ole
Mr.. Nolyneux soon arrived at the
conclusion that the action must bt
compromised at any cost. for the sake
of his own dignity, not 10 mention the
projected alliance with the Laburn
ums. He rushed up to town in quite
frantic state, and disregarding the
advice and protestations of his SO
licltor, insisted that Miss Fabian's
claim should be settled forthwith a.
any sacrifice, in or!er 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 SAL down to write
the check that MISS Fabian's advisers
demanded. The amount was repre-
sented by no less than five figures
and the worst of it was that he got nj
Svmnathy whatnver from, his Soli,itor