Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-10-15

the day, and l hope, On your return,
that you will settle down and reside
permanently in the country"
He had it on the tip of his tongue
to hint that he must be prepared to
marry Lady Florence; but he wisely
refrained. Nevertheless, 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
pledging himself, gave him an en-
couraging reply; and he resolved to
bring matters to a crisis Immediately
upon his sons return. The con-
sequence was that the task of settling
with Toms creditors proved quite an
agreeable relaxation, and did not
cause him moments ill-humor.
But he was very much startled and
disgusted on hearing that his solici-
tor had been asked to accept service
of writ on Toms behalf in an ac-
tion for damages for a 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 pa
pers gossiping about his antecedents,
while Tom could hardly fail to cut a
ridiculous figure III 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 men,
ton the projected alliance with the
Laburnums. He rushed up town in
quite a frantic state, and disregard.
ing the advice and protestations oi
his solicitor, insisted that Miss Fa-
bian's claim should be settled forth
with at any sacrifice, in order tn
avert the danger of the affair finding
its way into the papers.
He was successful in his main OBJ.
lject 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 re.
presented by no less than five figures
and the worst of it was that he 90,
no sympathy whatever frem his so
licitor, who declared that by going te
trial, or even by holding out, he NIGH
have saved the greater part Of his
money.
| In spite Of his great relief that tht
threatened scandal had been averted
old Mr.. Molyneux soon began to re
gret the sacrifice he had made, ant
to fret about his enormous loss. H,
was not by any means penuriou
man, but, like all parvenus, he keenly
appreciated the value of money. HI
did not mind what he spent SO Ions
as he had something to show for hi
outlay; but in this instance the resul
attained was entirely negative. Ever,
one is inclined to underrate DANCE
when it has passed, and Mr.. Molly
neux could hot help suspecting tina
. he had been too easily frightened
This uncomfortable reflection worrie,
him a good deal, particularly whe
he learned that Lord Laburnum ha
made arrangements to take his famil
to the south of France for the winter
This did not look as if his lordshi
/ was very anxious about his daughter
marriage with Tom, and old Nj
Molyneux was seized with an ON
E nous foreboding when he heard th
news.
Tom returned after an absence {
/ three or four months, and was ev
I dently not a little apprehensive {
r the reception he would meet wit
k He had received some angry letts
Il from his father, referring to the dan
# ages he had had to pay; and /
therefore appeared nervous and er
e barrassed at their first meeting. B
E, the old man, delighted at seeing hi
.s again, sought to put him at his ca
II by saying:-
l. I'm not going to allude to VIII
s. has happened, my boy, I'm willil
is to let bygones be bygones."
+ "You are very good, father, but
ID but
"What is the matter?" inquir
q old Mr.. Molyneux, as Tom paused