Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-04-21

OF Guy CI0FK you WOuIu 10 II1dh'hS 0
mesalliance:n
'Just. as Lady Florence would by
marrying me-" said Tom, looking
wonderfully innocent.
"Who is talking about Lady Flor
ence?" said old Mr.. Molyneux,. taken
aback by this unexpected thrust. ~
"Nobody-only have an idea you
wish me to marry out of my station, F."
retorted Tom.
81 don't wish you to marry at all,
sir, not for many a long year " cried
the old man, fairly nonplussed.
"What / mean is, father said Tom
doggedly, chat 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
must be" Il
"Stuff and nonsense, sir! You don't
know what you're talking about !" ex-
claimed Mr.. Molyneux. 81 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.
Therel It is no use talking. Let there
be an end of it or | shall have some
thing very unpleasant to say
The old man bounced out OF the
room as he spoke, not a little startled
and amazed at his sons tone and at
titude. Hitherto Tom had never
ventured to argue with him, partly
from filial duty and partly from in
herent weakness Of character. He be-
gan to fear that the lad possessed un-
expected frmness. until he soothed
his mind by the reflection that he had
probably been carefully coached for
the interview. This suspicion ex-
planned Master Toms unaccustomed
readiness of repartee, which had made
| him appear q dangerous adversary.
Relieved in his mind by the discovery,
old Mr.. Molyneux gradually cooled
down and completely recovered his
self confidence. He easily convinced
himself that Tom would never dare to
disobey him, and instead of feeling the
least apprehension of the marriage tax
ing place, he was only uneasy lest
rumors of the engagement should reach
the Laburnums.
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 appear
ances the lad seemed completely sub.
dued. He spent the next few days
Strengthening pheasants in B. detected
and sulky frame of mind. His father
smiled within himself and held his
tongue, though he showed by his man.
ner that he did not intend to be trihed
with. When he considered that he
might safely speak, he said one morn
ing, with assumed carelessness:
well, my boy, what are you going
to do ?'
"I'm going to shoot over Bailey's
farm" replied Tom.
Nonsense. You know what / am
referring to-" said the old man
turning red. 81 am speaking of this
idiotic love affair.""
"Oh Well, of course / must keep
my word" said Tom, with flushed
cheek.
"Whatl you haven't written to
break it OFF," said Mr.. Molyneux,
feigning surprise.
''No, guv'nor, / haven t." said Tom.
II hoped you would have softened by
this time"
"And [ believed you would have re-
membered that your first duty was to
obey your father" cried the old man
beginning to boil. "Do you mean to
tell me that you are still contem-
plating marrying "a dressmaker?'
"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"
CGAFr1 ruioho, ~, NJ,
Molyneux, angrily. 81 don't care if
she carries on twenty businesses.
What | say is that you shall never
marry her with my consent. That's
ALL"
"I should be very sorry to disobey
you, father began Tom, gravely,
"but-'
"Look here, my boy" interrupted
the old gentleman, quickly, speaking
with unnatural calmness, ''let lis un-
derstand each other. I forbid this
foolish engagement, and l order you
to break it off instantly. That is my
bark. Now for my bite. You leave
my house within aD hour, and unless
you inform me in the course of g. week
that the affair is at an end, I stop
supplies. If you persist in marrying
the girl, then, by heaven! 1 will alter
my will and leave every farthing |
possess to your cousin Ted-in fact, l
will make him my heir and discard 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 determined 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
instant
"You know, Tom," he added, motto
ing the wholesome effect of his words,
"you are entirely dependent upon rae,
and unless you took to poaching,
don't see how you could possibly earn
a crust. Besides, you are up to your
ears IN debt"
''Idon't owe much, said Tom, quick
ly, with a telltale blush.
"You will find out chat you owe a