The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-10-31

ma 'E ldu : llhN, dIb N'll 'NuN"NNN
and all the rest of it. But her sta
tion is altogether inferior to yours"
81 don't see that said Tom,
stubbornly.
"Why, of course. 1t is ridicu-
lous," said the old gentleman, swell
ing with self-importance. "Her
father, you say, is a poor out-at el-
bows devil of clerk in the city"
1--WE never noticed his coat has
holes in it. - retortcd Tom. "As for
his being Il 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
nonscncc here, sir" cried old Mr..
Molyneux, infuriated at sthis refer.
encc to his own origin. at would
be just as sensible to say that you
and ] are the equals of Lord Labur-
mum because Adam was our ances-
tor. What does it matter if | was
once Il clerk in the city ? | have
since attained n superior grade in
in the social scale, and that is
the fact that must be faced By
marrying the daughter of a city
clerk, who earns her living by dress
making, you would be making a
mis-alliance."
Just as Lady Florence would by
marry me-" said Tom, looking Won
derfully innocent.
"Nho is talking about Lady Flor
encc ?" said old Mr.. Molyneux, talk
en- aback by this unexpected thurst.
Noho,ly--only / have an idea
you wish N" To marry out OF my
station, rctorted Tom.
don'twish you to marry at all,
sir, not for manya long year - cri-
cd the old IN, Etirly nonplused.
"What | mean is, father" said
Tom, doggcdly, that | see no harm
in marrying below ones station-to
use your own tcrm-than in marry
ing shove it, lfone is wrong the
other must be-"
"StulI and nonsense, sir You
don't know what you're talking
about" exclaimed Mr. Molyneux.
Il don't want to have an argument
with you. The long and short of
the matter is, that | won't hear of
this foolish Engagement There F!
1t is no use talking. Let there be
an end Of it, or it, or shall have
something very unpleasant to say"
The old man bounced out of the
room as he spoke, not a little start
led and amazed by his sons tone
and attisudc. Hitherto Tom had
never ventured to argue with him
partly from inherent weakness of
character. He began to fear that
the lad possessed unexpected firm
ness, until he soothcd his mind by
/ the reflection that he had probably
been carefully coached for the inter-
view This suspicion explained
Master Toms unuccustomcd rcadi-
ness OF repartce, which had made
him approach dangerous advcrsa-
ry. Relieved in his mind by the
discovery, old Mr.. Molyneux gradu-
ally cooled down, and completely
rccoved his sclEconidcnce. He
easily convinced himself that Tom
would never dare to disobey him,
and, instead of feeling the least ap-
| prehensiyc of the marriage taking
| place, he was only uneasy lest rum
ors of the engagement should reach
the Leburnums.
He prudently 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 COM
pletely subdued. He spent his next
few days slaughtering pheasants in
a detected frame of mind. His
father smiled within himself and
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 morning, with
assumed carelcssness
"Well, my boy, what are you 60
ing to do ?"
"I'm going to shoot over Bailey 5
farm" replied Tom.
Nonsense, You know what |
am referring to-" said the old man
turning red. Il am speaking OF
this idiotic love affair."
"Oh Well, of course, | must
keep my word" said Tom, with
flushed check.
"What you haven't written to
break it of'?' said Mr.. Molyncux,
feigning surprise.
"No, guvnor, | haven't" said
Tom. 81 hoped you would have