Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-11-21

| That is my bark. Now tor my bite. You
| leave my house within an hour, and unless
you inform me in the course of week that
| the affair is at an end, l stop supplies. If
you persist in marrying the girl, then, by
| heavens | will alter my will and leave
| every farthing possess to your cousin Ted
in fact, ! will make him my heir and dis
card you altogether"
| 1t is doubtful whether the old man would
have really carried out this serious threat,
for he was fond of his son and proud of
| him in a 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, and
the rudy color left his cheeks for an in
slant
| You know, Tom" he added, noticing
the wholesome effect of his words, yos
are entirely dependent upon me and unless
you took to poaching | don't see how you
| could possibly earn crust. Besides you
are up to your ears in debt"
81 don't owe much, said Tom, quickly
with tell-tale blush.
You will find out that you owe good
deal when your creditors learn that have
made your cousin Ted my heir, said the
old man energetically.
Tom was evidently seriously disconnected
| by this remark. He turned on his heel,
muttering something about catching the
next train to town, leaving his father mas
ter of the situation. The old man consid-
cred he had gained signal victory, and
| was therefore not the least perturbed
| when his son started off to the station with
| his baggage, in literal accordance with his
| Injunction He did not doubt that Master
Tom would see the folly of his way; and
sure enough, two days afterward the young
man reappeared, looking decidedly sheep
;cb an1 iaraj his submission He ava,,
| 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. How
ever, he was not inclined to be hypercntical
| in this respect, and he heartily applauded
| Toms action.
I'm going away for bit, guy nor said
| the lad. who had WINGED little at his
| fathers boisterous good humor, and seemed
half ashamed of his conduct. Webster
and some other fellows have hired a yaoht
and sail for Madeira tomorrow"
BY all means, my boy, cried Mr.. Molly
neux secretly delighted that his son should
| leave England for awhile at this juncture ;
and look here, Tom, while you are away
| 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, as well he might,
at perceiving how full and accurate was
his fathers knowledge of his pecuniary
! embarrassments. The old man cut short
his sons confused protestation of graft
| tude and apology by saying. good-humor-
| edly:
Well, well, you must turn over a new
| leaf, my boy. Reasonable economy must
henceforth be the order of the day, and l
| hope, on your return, that you will settle
down and reside permanently in the
! country"
He had it OH the tip of his tongue to
hint that he must be prepared to marry
Lady Florence; but he wisely RETAINED
Nevertheless he was as full OF the project
as ever, and after Toms departure bespoke
| to Lord Laburnum more plainly than lie
| had hitherto done. His lordship, without
| pledging himself, gave him an encouraging
reply 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 relaxation 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 a writ on
Toms behalf in an action for damages for
! breach of promise of marriage brought by
| Miss Fabian against her taithless lover.
| The news upset him considerably, for such
a scandal would set all the papers gossip
| ing about his antecedentS, while Tom could
hardly fail to cut a 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 tie LaburnumS. He
rushed up to town in quite a frantic state,
and disregarding the advice and protesta-
tons of his solicitor, insisted that Miss
Fabian's claim should be settled forthwith
at any sacrifice, in order to avert the dan
ger 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 demanded. The
amount was represented by no less than
five figures, and the worst of it was that he
got no sympathy whatever from his sole
itor, who declared that by going to trial, oil
even by holding out, he might have saved
the greater part of the money.
In spite of his great relief that the threat
ened scandal had been ayerted old Mr.
Molyneux soon began to regret the sacrifice
he had made, and to fret about his enor
nous loss. He was not by any means a
penurious man, but, like all parvenus, he
keenly appreciated the value of money. He
did not mind what he spent so long rs ht
had something to show for his outlay; but
in this instance the result attained was en-
tirely negative. Every one is inclined tC
underrate danger when it has passed, anC
Mr.. Molyneux could not help suspecting
that he,had been too easily frightened. This
uncomfortable reflection worried him 8
good deal, particularly when he learned
that Lord Laburnum had made arrange
ments to take his family to the south o.
France for the winter This did not look
as if his lordship was very anxious about
his daughters marriage with Tom, and ole
Mr.. Molyneux was seized with ominous
forebodngs when he heard the news.
Tom returned after an absence of three
or four months, and was evidently not
little apprehensive of the reception ht
would meet with He had received some
angry letters from his father, referring tC
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 tC
put him at ease by saying:
IN not going to allude to what has
cones be bygones."
but"
What is the matter ?" inquired old Mr.
Molyneux, as Tom paused in confusion.
" l still cling to the hope that you will
consent to my marriage with Miss Fabian
said Tom desperately.
" What y roared his father, with grea
start
You see, guy nor proceeded Tom
I'm in a much better position than l was
when went away. Then, as you Justly
pointed out was in debt, had no capital
and was altogether dependent upon you
But my debts are now paid, and as for CAPT
tai
We'll, sir, what about the capital p in.
terrupted the old man, too much amazed tc
be angry.
There is the money you paid to Miss
Fabian" said Tom, with a fleeing smile
The interest on it would keep us from
starving, and at least it is enough to buy
and stock farm with"