Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-02-12

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a 60.
full of tho project s. ever 81 8, ID - ~,
Tom adepax tuIs ~ mol q rs .oryl
lLahurnum moro plainly than Ia ~
hitherto done. His lori shiip. without
pledging himself, gave him him "a encour.
aging reply; and he resolved "a brinrq
matters to 8 criais immediately UPON
his sons return. The, consenuenne
was that the task Of settling with
Toms & creditors proved quite 90
agreeable relaxation, and did not
Cause him g moments ill-humor.
But he was very much startled and
Disguised on hearing that his solicitor
had been asked to accept service of q
writ on Tom d behalf ii an action for
damages for breach of promise ofmar
riage brought BY Miss Fabian against
her faithless love-. The news unset
him considerably, for such q scandal
would set all the papers gossipina
about his antecedents, while Tom
could hardly fail to cut q ridiculous
figure in the witness-b box. Old M.
Moiyneux soon arrived at the con-
clusion that the action must be com
promised atany cost, .eor. the sake OF
his own dignity, not to mention the
projected alliance with the Labur-
NUNS. He rushed up to town IN quite
a frantic state, and 1disregarding the
advice and protestatlons Of his solic-
itor, insisted that Miss e abian 8 claim
should be settled forthwith at any
sacrifice, in order totavert the danger
OF the affair finding its way into the
papers. s#x ~ &23.s.&
He was successful in his main object,
but rich man as he was, he almost
.grroaned when he sat down to write
the check that Miss Fabian's advisers
demanded. The amount was repre-
sented by no less than five figures,
and the worst Of it was that he got no
sympathy whatever from his solicitor,
who declared that by his going to tri-
al, or even by holding out, he might
have saved the greater part of the
money. q $780,
In spite Of his great relief that the
Threatened scandal had been averted,
old Mr.. Molyneux soon began to re-
greet the sacrifice he had made, and to
fret about his enormous loss. He was
not by any means q penurious man,
but, like all parvenus, he keenly APP
preciated the value ofmoney. He did
not mind what he spent so long as he
had something to show for his outlay;
but in this instance the result attained
was entirely negative. Every one
Is inclined to underate danger when
it has passed, and Mr.. Molyneux
could not help suspecting that he had
been too easily frightened. This un-
comfortable reflection worried him q
good deal, particularly when he learnt
that Lord Labprnum had made ar
rangements to take his family to the
south of France for the winter. This
did not look as If his lordship was
very anxious about his daughters
marriage with Tom, and old Mr.. Molly
neux was seized with an ominous fore
boding when he heard the news. p. a..
Tom returned after an absence OF
three or four months, and was evil
IDENTIFY not 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 had to pay; and he therefore ap-
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.
+ "1'm not going to allude to what has
happened, my boy, I'm willing to let
bygones be bygones." 49,,
"You are very good, father, but
but"
"What is the NATTER" inquired old
Mr.: Molyneux, as Tom paused in con-
fusion. =,
IL still cling to the hope that you
will consent to my marriage with Miss
Fabian" said Tom desperately.
"What!" roared his father, with a
great start
"You see, guv'nor," proceeded Tom,
"1'm in a much better position than
was before I went away. Then, as
you justly pointed out, was in debt,
had no capital, and was altogether
dependent upon you. But my debts
are now paid, and as for capital"
"Well, sir, what&about capital?" in
terrupted the old man, too much
amazed to be angry.
'"There is the money you paid to
Miss Fa bian," said Tom, with a fleet
ing smile. ''The interest on it would
keep us from starving, and at least it
is enough to buy and stock farm
with"
"But--but I paid the money because
you broke your promise to marry
her." urged his father, incredulously.
"She would never marry you now"
Il think she would" replied Tom, in
a confident tone. 80. - i,
'The fact is, Sir, that / have been
victimised," exclaimed old Mr.. Molly
neux, suddenly, as the truth flashed
across his mind.
mot exactly, father--aJ least, not
yet, " returned Tom, with great earn
estness. Ihope you will not withhold
your consent to our marriage. nyou
will consent, the money shall be paid
back to YOU: every farthing. don't
wish to defy you, as it were; and both
Of us are willing to rely entirely, with
regard TO the future, upon your gen.
erosity." s ...$s.> :.Ee.. -. -,
: Old Mr.. Molyneux had turned pu--
pie in the face, and Tom was Justly
alarmed at his aspect. But before he
could utter a word in reply, a man
servant brought in note remarking
that q messenger was waiting to know
# there was any reply. Mr.. Molyneux
opened the envelope half-absentlY,
glanced hurriedly at the contents, and
then gave vent to a muttered execra-
ton which apparently relieved his
ver-wrought feelings After stridlng
about the room for a few moments in
great AGITATION hp s,I1d dan1u hoitnd