Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-17
MASTER TOMS ENGAGEMENT.

| Via MI. MolyneuX was immensely proud Of his
position as the county magnate. He lived I'm a
| feudal castle which he had bought cbeaplv
| having taken over at the same time the good
will, SO to speak, of its former owners social in
fuence and dignity. In consideration of his
| great wealth, his neighbOrs charitably ignored
the fact that his father had been a small trades.
| man, and that he himself had carried on a
| lucrative business in the hardware line for
| many years. He was not bad old fellow his
| vulgarity being of subdued and inoffensive
kind, and consequently he was received in the
! best county society. But he aspired to even
| greater distinction, for his pet project was to
/ marry his only son, Tom, to one OF the Earl of
son why this suspicious event should not come
| about, tor the Lady Florence looked kindly
upon Master Tom, and his iordship had more
| than once limited that he would raise no
| objection. Lord Laburnum was the lord lieute-
| nant of the county, and an alliance with his
| family meant admission into the most aristo-
Unfortunately Master Tom was rather a scape-
grace, and his father preferred to let him see q
| DONORS that were in store for him. The fact that
rom showed no prediction whatever for the
Lady Florence and he was just at that demo-
| cratic age when a youth is apt to underrate
| social advantages The old man hoped that
when Tom had had his fling he would begin to
| awake to the responsibilities to his position,
| and be amenabe to reason. He knew that
! rom was raising very respectable crop of
debts, and that before long his paternal assis-
A
| he intended to make known his Wishes and to
| take advantage of the lads embarrassments to
| impose condltlons. Meanwhile, as Tom seemed
| 10 nave gwen his heart a 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 ostensibly studying for
| the par, and with very grave and determined
ar announced that he was engagedto be mar
RED. Old MIR. MolyneuX nearly had a lit of apo
plexy on the spot, and when Tom began to state
| that the young lady earned her own living
by carrying on the business OF q dressmaker at
| the West End, his horror and indignation
| knew no bounds. In vain Tom pleaded that
sa o by a Was hes
| crime. His father became more and more
| furious, until Tom showed symptoms of fat re-
/ bellion.
Think OF your position in the countyr' cried
old Mr. Molyneux, perceiving this, and wisely
| making effort TO control himself 81 viii
take il for granted if you like that the girl is
| exemplary character. She may be ladylike and
all the rest of it,. But her station is altogether
| inferior to yours"
~ don't see that, said Tom, stubbornly.
why, of course. 1t is Ridiculous said the
old gentleman. swelling with seifimpOrtance
devil OF a clerk in the city,
1--WE never noticed his coat has holes in it,
retorted Tom. GAS for his being clerk in the
city, SO were you-Once. The only difference is
that you have been more fortunate than he, and
nave made enough money to retire Upon
"None of your Internal radical nonsense here
sir! cried old Mr.. Molyneux, Infatuated at this
reference to his own origin. sit would be just as
y
Lord Laburnum because Adam was our common
ancestor. What does it matter if was once a
clerk In the city. have since attained supe-
riOr grade 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 mis-aliance."
"just as Lady Florence would by marrying
me, said Tom, looking wonderfully innocent.
who is talking about Lady Florence?' said
Old Mr.. MoiyneuX, taken aback by this unex-
pected thrust.
'.Nobody-only have an idea you wish me to
m. -tsYYft tiE,r'f
Il don't wish you to marry at all, sir, not for
many long year, cried the old man, fairly
nOn-plussed.
what mean is, father" said Tom. doggedly,
THAT see no more harm In marrying below
ones station-to use your own term-than in
marrying above it. If one is wrong the other
stuff and nonsense, sir? You don't know
what you're talking about exclaimed MIR.
MolyneuX. II 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.
end of it, or shall have something very un-
pleasant To say"
The old man bounced out of the room as he
spoke, not little startled and amazed by his
sons tone and attitude. Hitherto Tom had
never ventured to argue with him, partly from
d.'y Of aba partly hogan
that the lad possessed unexpected firmness
until he soothed his mind by the reflection that
he had probably been carefully coached for the
interview. This suspicion explained Master
Tom s unaccustomed readiness OF repartee,
whicn had made him appear dangerous add
versaFy. Relieved in his mind by the discovery.
old Mr.. Molyneux gradually cooled down, and
completely recovered his seIfconfidence 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 uneasy lest rumors of the engage
ment should reach the Lapurnume.
he prudentiy resolved tn treat the matter as
definitely disposed Of and to make no further
allusion to tat all events until Tom had had
time for reflection. Judging from appearances,
the lad seemed completely subdued. He spent
the next few days Strengthening pheasants in a
detected and sulky frame of mind. His father
smiled within himself and held his tongue
though ne showed by his manner that he did
not intend to be trified with. When he consid-
cred that he might safely speak, he said one
morning, with assumed carelessneSs:
Nv ell, my boy, what are You going to do?"
piled Tom.
Nonsense. You know what am referring
to" said the old man, turning red. 81 am speak
ing OF this idiotic hove affair.
'.Oh! Well, OF course, must keep my word
said Tom, with flushed cheek.
Nv nat, you haven't written to breai. it off,
said MIR. MOiyneux. feigning surprise
"No, guy nor, haven't" said Tom. hoped
you would have soitened by this time
And believed you would have remembered
that your first duty to obey your lather."
cried the old man, beginning 10 boil. "Do you
mean 10 tell Inc that you still contemplate
marrying IA dressmaker?''
.'She has sold her business, father" said Tom.
eagerly. ..She might have done better had she
| waited q bit. but out of Difference to your
My wishes" interrupted Mr.. Molypeux
angFlly. II don't care 1t she carries on twenty
| businesses. What say is that you shall never
marry her with my consent. That's all
II should be very sorry to disobey YOU
father" began Tom, graveiy ibut-''
Look here, my boy INTERRUPTED the old
gentleman, quickly. speaking with unnatural
calmness. ''let us understand each other I
forbid this foolish engagement, and order YOU
10 break it OF instantly. That is my bark Now
Tor my bite. You leave my house within an
hour, and unless you inform me in the course
OF "a week that the affair is at an end, / stop
supplies. Ifyou persist in marrying the girl
every farthing possess to your cousin Ted
In Tact VIII make him my heir and dis
card you altogether"
IL is doubtful whether the old man would
ave really carried out this serious threat for
he was fond OF his son, and proud Of him in a
way, but he looked very determined when he
uttered IL and Tom was evidently impressed
irate glance, and the ruddy color lett his cheeks
for an instant.
"Iou know. Tom,'' he added, noticing the
wholesome effect OF his words. "you are entirely
dependent upon me, and unless you took To
poaching, don't see how you could possibly
earn crus,. Besides you are up to your ears
! IN debt"
IL don't owe much said Tom quickly, with
! a tie l-tale blush.
/ "You will find out that you owe a good deal
when your creditors learn that / have made
| you' cousin Ted my heir" said the old man
systematically.
| Tom was evidently seriously Disconnected by
this remark. He turned on his heel mutterinS
something about catching the next train TO
town, leaving his father master of the situation
| The old man considered he had gained a signal
VIs4n nAd