The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-02-17
CHANGED HIS MIND.

in Great Britain which he had bought
cheaply, having taken over at the same
time the good will, so to speak, of It's
former owners social influence and dig
nity. In consideration of his great wealth
his neighbors charitably ignored the
fact that his father had been a small
tradcsman and that he himself had car
ried on lucrative business in the hard
ware line for many years. He was not a
bad old fellow. his vulgarity being of a
subdued and inoffensive kind, and con-
sequently he was received in the best
county society But he aspired tc even
greater distinction, for his pet project
was to marry his only son, Tom, to one
of the Earl of Laburnum's daughters.
There seemed no reason why this auspic-
ious event should not come about, for
the Lady Florence looked kindly upon
Master Tom, and his lordship had more
than once limited that he would raise no
objection. Lord Laburnum was the
lord lieutenant of the county, and alli-
ance with his family meant admission
into the most aristocratic circles.
Unfortunately Master Tom was rather
scapegrace. and his father preferred to
let him see little of the world before
revealing the high honors that were IN
store for him.
j One Gay, however, the young man came
down from town, where he was ostensi-
bly, studying for the bar. and with very
grave and determined air announced that
he was engaged to be married. Old Mr..
Molyneux nearly had a fit Of apopleNy on
the spot, and when Tom began to state
that the young lady earned her own liv-
ing by carrying on the business of Il
dressmaker at the West End his horror
and indignation knew no bounds. In vain
Tom pleaded that Miss Fabian was lady
by birth and education, and that the pow
erty of her family was her only crime.
His father became more and more furi-
Gus, until Tom showed symptoms of flat
rebellion
Think of your position in the coun-
typ cried old Mr.. Molyneux, percciving
this, and wisely making an effort to con-
troll himself. Il will take it for granted,
if you like, that the girl is an exemplary
character. She may be ladylikc and the
rest of it. But her station is altogether
inferior to yours"
I * don't see that," said Ton: stub
bornly.
why, Of course. 1t is ridiculou~,'
said the old gentleman, swelling with
self-importance. Her father, you say,
is a poor out at elbows clerk in the city"
q II never noticed that his coat had
holes in it," retorted Tom. ''As for his
being 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 radical nonsense, sir"
cried old Mr.. MolyncuX, infuriated at
this reference to his own origin. 1T
would be just as sensible to say that you
and are the equals of Lord Laburnum
because Adam was our common anccs-
tor. What does it matter if 1 was a
clerk in the city2 have since attained
a superior grade in the social scale, and
that is the fact that must be faced. By
marrying the daughter of city clerk,
who earns her living by dressmaking,
you would be making mess-alliance. l
don't want to have an argument with
you. The long and short of the matter
is, that I won't hear of this foolish en-
gagement. There! 1t is no use talking.
Let there be an end of it, or I shall have
something very unpleasant to say"
The old man bounced out Of the room
as he spoke, not u little startled and
amazed by his sons tone and attitude.
Hitherto Tom had never ventured to
argue with him. He began to fear that
the lad possessed unexpected tirmness.
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 time for reflection. Judging
from appearances, the lad seemed COM
pletcly subducd. He spent the next few
days slaughtering phcaSants in adcjcctcd
and sulky frame of mind. His father
smiled within himself and held his
tongue, though he showed by his manner
that he did not intend to be trifled with.
When he considered that he might safely
speak, he said one morning, with an as
sumcd carclcssncss:
well, my boy, what are you going to
do2"
''Oh? Well, of course, I must keep
my word" said Tom, with flushed
cheek.
"What! you haven't written to break
it off," said Mr.. Molyneux, fcigning SUI
prise.
mo guv'nor, haven't. I hoped you
would have softencd by this time.
She has sold her business, father" said
Tom, eagerly. "She might have done
better had she waited a bit, but out of
Difference to your wishes"
''My Wishes" interrupted Mr.. Molly
neux, angrily. Il don't care if she car
ried on twenty businesses. What | say
is that you shall never marry her with
my consent That's ALL"
Il should be very sorry to disobey YOU,
father" began Tom, gravcly, but"
Look here, my boy" interrupted the
old gentleman, quickly. speaking with
unusual calmness, ''let us understand
each other l forbid this foolish en-
gagemcnt, and order YOU to break it
off instantly. That is my bark. Now
for 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.
If you persist in marrying the girl, then,