St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-29

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 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 ruddy color left his cheeks for an In
slant.
''You know, Tom," he added. noticing
the wholesome effect Of his words, you
are entirely dependent upon me. and unless
you look to poaching, l don't see how you
could possibly earn crust. Besides you
are up to your ears in debt"
II 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 enigmatically.
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 master
of the situation. The old man considered
he had gained signal victory, and was,
therefore, not the least perturbed when his
son started off to the station with his lug
gage, in literal accordance with his injunc-
ton. He did not doubt that Master Tom
would see the folly of his ways; and, sure
enough, two days afterwards the young
man reappeared, looking decidedly sheep
ish, and rendered his submission. He even
brought copy of the letter he had written
to the young lady, which MI. 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 hypercriti-
cal, in this respect, and he heartily APP
plauded Toms action.
'Tm going away for bit, guv'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 yacht,
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;
land look here, Tom, while you are away L
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 we'll he might, at
perceiving how full and accurate was his
fathers knowledge of his pecuniary EN-
barrassments. The old man cut short his
sons confused protestations Of gratitude
and apology by saying spontaneously:
well, well, you must turn over a new
leaf, my boy. Reasonable economy must
henceforth be the order of the day, and |
hope on your return that you will settle
down and reside permanently in the coun-
try"
He had it on the tip of his tongue to hint
that he must be prepared to marry Lady
Florence, but he wisely refrained. Never
theless, he was as full of the project as ever
and after Toms departure he spoke to Lord
Laburnum more plainly than he had
hitherto done. His lordship. without pledg-
ing himself, gave him an encouraging reply;
and he resolved to bring matters to crisis
Immediately upon his sons return. The
consequence was that the task of settling
with Toms creditors proved quite an agree
able relaxation, and did not cause him a
moments ill-humor.
But he was very much startled and dis
gusted on learning 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 faithless lover. The news upset
him considerably, for such scandal would
set all the papers gossiping about his ante
a ridiculous figure in the witness-boX. Old
Mr.. Molyneux soon arrived at the conclusion
that the action must be compromised at any
cost, for the sake of his own dignity, not to
mention the projected alliance with the
Laburnums. He rushed up to town in quite
frantic state. and disregarding the advice
and protestations OF his solicitor, insisted
that Miss Fabian's claim should be settled
forthw tn at any sacrifice, in order to avert
the danger of the affair finding it's 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 he got no sympathy
whatever from his solicitor who declared
that by going to trial. or 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 averted, old Mr.
Molyneux soon began to regret the sacrifice
he had made, and to fret about his enormous
loss. He was not by any means a penurious
man. but. like all parvenus, he keenly ap-
preciated the value of money. He did not
mind what he spent so long as he had some
thing to show for his outlay; but in this in
stance the result attained was entirely mega
tive. Every one is inclined to underrate
danger when it has passed, and Mr.. Molly
neuX could not help suspecting that he had
been too easily frightened. This uncom-
Portable reflection worried him good deal,
particularly when he learnt that Lord La
burnum had made arrangements to take his
family to the south of France for the winter.
rTbiC did 1oOly if hic lord chin woo ynr
anxious about his daughters marriage with
Tom, and old Mr.. Molyneux was seized
with an ominous foreboding when he heard
the news.
Tom returned after an absence of three or
four MONTHS and was evidently uot a little
apprehensive of the reception he would
meet with. He had received some angry
letters from his father, referring to the
damages he had to pay; and he therefore APP
peared nervous and embarrassed at their
first meeting. But the old man, delighted
at seeing him again, sought to put him at his
ease by saying:
I'm not going to allude to what has hap
pened. my boy. I'm willing to let bygones
be bygones."
'sY )u are very good, father, but-but-"
''What is the matter?" inquired old Mr..
Molyneux, as Tom paused in confusion.
Il still cling to the hope that you will con-
sent to my marriage with Miss Fabian" said
Tom desperately.
'.Whatr roared his father with great
start.
You see, guv'nor," proceeded Tom, ''I'm
in much better position than was before
L went away. Then, as you justly pointed
out. 1 was in debt, L had no capital, and l
was altogether dependent upon you. But
n for
tai"
''Well, sir. what about capital9" inter-
rupted the old man, too much amazed to be
angry