MISS FALCON'S ENGAGEMENT.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 10, 11 August 1883, Page 4

MISS FALCON'S ENGAGEMENT.

Mr Dig?!)*, of Gray's Inn-square, regarded the widow of his former friend and client, the late Alderman Sir Benjamin Falcon, as a severe affliction. As the acting trustee of the deceased Alderman's will — his co-trustee being a mere nonentity — the solicitor was brought into constant communication with the widow in the way of business. Lady Falcon, who, was twenty years younger than her husband' when he married her, was an extravagaut, frivolous, flighty person, with no notion of prudence or economy, and a very unreasonable and wayward temper. She and Mr Deeds had been at loggerheads ever since the death of the lamented Alderman, for the widow was constantly exceeding her income and running into debt, and the lawyer wns often driven to his wits' end to relieve her from her embarrassments. Perhaps Mr Deeds was wanting hi tact and inclined to be fussy ; at all events, lie contrived to make Lady Falcon lose her temper whenever they met, and a visit from her ladyship was sure to end in a disagreeable, scene. It is not surprising, therefore, that when, on a certain afternoon, his clerk brought in Lady Faleou's card, Mr Deeds should have given vent eotto voce to some very unparliamentary language. 1 Show her ladyship in,' he said, when he had indulged in this refreshment to his heart's content. ' Confound bur !' he added, glancing at tho date indicator on the shelf, *it wants five weeks to quarter-day. ' I'll not advance her a farthing.' ; NoW, Mr Deeds, don't look as black as thunder!' exclaimed the lady, as she entered the room in a whirlwind of rustling silks. ' You are not hurt yet, you know. You have evidently quite made up your mind what I have come about.' * Experientia docet. Pray take a seat, madam,' said the lawyer, shaking his head. 'I don't know what you mean by that Mr Deeds. I have not come here to-tlay about my own affairs. I think you might give me cre-Ht for noh hnvinir broken my promise,' returned Lady Falcon, with some asperity, as she sank into a chair. ' I am denying myself almost the necessaries of life — certainly every comfort and luxury — in order to make both ends meet.' This was a figure of speech, for the Alderman had left a considerable fortune, and his widow was in comfortable circumstances, even when — as at the present time — her income was temporarily diminished owing to her extravagance. Tlie truth was, that if Lady Falcon had had fifty times her income, she wonld have contrived to run through it and land herself in pecuniar}) difficulties. Mr Deeds wts surpiisei) at her ladyship's disclaimer, for this was the first time within his experience that the object of her visit had nol related to her personal necessities. ' I have not come about myself at all, resumed Lady Falcon in a more amiable tone. ' I wish to speak to you about my daughter Amy. Amy is nineteen, you know, and she is going te be married.' ' Indeed 1 That is good news !' said Mr. Deeds, as he thought of the inariage settlement. ' I hope she is making a good match.' ' From a worldly point of view, I feai not,' replied Lady Falcon. 'But, aftei all, money is not everything, Mr. Deeds I would sooner a daughter of mint married a poor man whom she loved than a rich one whom she only liked, 01 perhaps hated.' 1 Very proper sentiments/ remarked the lawyer, smiling inwardly at th( source from which they emanated. '^ i However, I did not come heue t( moralise. Fancy moralising in a lawyer's office !' exclaimed Lady Falcon, •with her' shrill laugh. ' The fact is Mr. Deeds, it is time for me to begin t( ,tbink of getting Amy's trousseau ready <6he is to be married in less than thre< months ; and time passes so quickly Now, you can imagine bow readily ] would, if I could afford it, pay for th< dear child's outfit out of my income But, alas ! in my present circumstance; •*■--<- j- v ,u~ -..,*. *v.v anesfion. Ant yet she must nave a trousseau acou-ju* o to her station in life.' * I—lI — I think, if 1 recollect rightly that there was « special provision ir your husband's will on that subject, said Mr. Deeds, putting on his glasses and producing a copy of the documeni from his safe. ♦ Yes ! Here it is. *Or tho marriage of any daughter entitled ir expectancy, et ceetera, the trustees an authorised to raise £500 for the purpose of purchaiing a trousseau.' Ahem ! Yes. « The money to be paid to th( guardian, or guardians, within three months of contemplated marriage." *I am dear Amy's guardian, you know,' inteposed Lady Falcon. « ] thought I recollected a clause of that sort in the will. When can I have the money, Mr Deeds.' 4 The trustees appear to have no discretion in the matter,' continued Mi Deeds, with his nose still buried in the document. ' Well, I suppose the money 4Eaust be raised, Lady Falcon. No help Jiir%. Vm afraid,' he added, with a grim humour. * Could you let me have it immediately, Mr Deeds V inquired the lady, anxiously. '* The time is so short, and there are so many ' things to be purchased, and I? v must be^ia shoppii q immediately.' 4 Ajty-d«»ar madam 1 there can be no -♦uch^violent hurry as all that,' said Mr De6ds. ' Besides, the preliminaries of

the marriage are" not arranged yet. I must put myself into communication with the young gentleman about the settlement. By-the-by, what is his name V * Oh, never mind the settlement. It is quite unnecessary/ said her ladyship, sharply. 'My daughter's future husband has nothing to settle. As for the money that Amy will come is for at my death, it is secured to her own use by her father's will. I remember noticing that. It is so ; isn't it V { Yes, certainly ; it is so,' replied Mr Deeds. * Bat, still, even in that case, and though the gentleman may have nothing, a settlement is advisable.' 'My dear Mr Deeds ! Really, you lesral gentlemen are too absurd,' laughed Lady Falcon. ' I mean, of course, the system is absurd,' she added, noticing the flush on the lawyer's cheek. tAs dear Amy's natural as well as legal guardian, I am quite content to dispense with a settlement. Than!? you all the same for the suggestion, Mr Deeds. I hope you can let me have the money at once.' * Certainly not, madam,' returned Mr Deeds, sulkily ; f I shall have to sell out stock, and that will involve some day's delay — perhaps a fortnight.' ' At all events, you will let me have it as soon as possible, I'm sure,' said Lady Falcon, with a sudden accession of graciousness, as she rose from her seat and extended her hand. . There shall be no undue delay/ replied Mr Deeds, somewhat mollified. ' Perhaps you will kindly convey my congratulations to the young lady. You did not mention the gentleman's name, I believe/ added the lawyer, as he bowed his visitor ont. 1 Didn't I ? Oh, I'm sure yon don't know him/ said Lady Falcon, carelessly. 1 Ponder his name is — Charley Ponder. Good day, Mr Deeds.' When her ladyship had gone, Mr Deeds returned to his desk, and made a note of the name on his blotting-pad. He did this mechanically, from a longacquired habit of taking notes. He felt very uneasy in his mind when he thought over the conversation that had just taken place. It seemed the height of folly to band over a large sum of money to Lady Falcon. She would probably squander it, if not actually upon herself, at lea^t by making imprudent and reckless purchases for her daughter. Mr Deeds remembered that at the time of drawing the will he had pointed out the risk of such a clause, but the testator had insisted upon it, and the lawyer could not, out of delicacy, press his objection too strongly. The result was that he now found himself obliged to pay £500 to a foolish, extravagant woman, who could be safely relied upon to fritter it away in the most ridiculous manner. His only consolation was that by the terms of the will he was absolutely powerless in the matter, and incurred no responsibility by parting with the money. He was scarcely less disgusted at Lady Falcon's conduct in so airily disregarding his advice about a settlement. It was true that her daughter's money was settled upon herself by the will, but the precaution was by no means sufficient. If the young lady's husband could not touch it, there was nothing to prevent her handing over every farthing of it to him, unless she were protected from her own weakness and her husband's influence by the intervention of trustees. Moreover, surely the young man — this Mr Ponder — might be persuaded to make some provision for his wife at his death. Even if he were a joor man, he could and ought to insure liis. life ; and probably it would only be necessary to broach the subject to him in order to get him to do what was proper and usual. However, in this matter as in the other, Mr Deeds was unable to interfere. Lady Falcon was | the legal guardian of her children during her life, and the lawyer knew from -experience that she would not .listen 'to him if he were to repeat his j advice^. But he resolved to make in- ! quirifs about young Mr Ponder, and, if possible, to get introduced to him, in order to sound him as to his willingness to execute a settlemeut. In justice to Mr Deeds, it should be stated that his motives nroiv perfectly honest and disinterested, his only desire being tv promote Miss Amy's welfare. A week or two slipped by before he came across any one who happened to be acquainted with the bridegroom elect, and meanwhile he sent Lady Falcon the £500 with inward misgivings. At length, however, he mentioned Mr Ponders name to a chance acquaintance at his club, who knew a little about him. From the description given, Mr Deeds did not conceive a very favourable impression of Miss Falcon's intended. He seemed to he a young man about town, who contrived to keep up appearances on nothing a .year,'' moved in good society, had a great reputation for gallantry, and was supposed to be on the look-out for a wife with money. Mr Deeds' friend obligingly undertook to ascertain further details as to the young man's income and prospects from some one who knew liim intimately,; and the lawyer, without revealing the reason for his curiosity, g!a<lly availed himself of the offer. Ihe consequence was that it came to his knowledge that young Mr Ponder was not only wfthoutjprtune, and deeply in debt, but that tie was the, derated' slave of a certain Miss -Dot Bingham,, a most fascinating, young burlesque actress of the Monarchy Theatre. (To be Continued.)