THE STORY-TELLER. MISS FALCON'S ENGAGEMENT. (Concluded.)

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 11, 18 August 1883, Page 4

THE STORY- TELLER. MISS FALCON'S ENGAGEMENT. (Concluded.)

Mr Deeds was naturally very much startled and horrified at this information. The young man's pecuniary embarrassments were a fatal objection to his suit, white his barefaced flirtation with an actress was an insult to Miss Falcon, which rendered it imperatively necessary to break o5 the engagement immediately. It seemed that his admiration for Miss Dot Bingham was neither secret nor platonic. He was infatuated with her, passed all his leisure at the theatre, and his friends were unanimously of opinion that he would end by marrying her. Nobody appeared to have the least suspicion that he was engaged to be married to another young lady, and this deceit made his conduct the more reprehensible. Mr Deeds, of course, considered he was in duty bound to open Lady Falcon's eyes to this disgraceful state of things, of which she must of necessity be ignorant. Probably she had consented to the engagement because the young mnn was handsome and agreeable, without making any inquiries about his character and antecedents. Mr Deeds' impulse was to call upon Lady Falcon directly he made this startling discovery. On second thoughts, however, he resolved to act more cautiously. It would never do to go to Lady Falcon with news of this kind heard at second-hand. It might be false or exaggerated, or possibly the whole affair might turn out to be a case of mistaken identity. After mature consideration he determined to pay a visit to young Mr Ponder, and verify the information that had come to his knowledge before taking any steps upon it. He therefore obtained the young man's address, and presented himself ai his chambers one morning, about midday, when, judging from what lie hail heard of his mode of life, he was pretty sure to find him at home. Young Ponder received him civilly enough, though he looked rather askance. The young man was making a light breakfast of soda-and-brandy and dry toast, from which circumstance, and from the fact of his still being arrayed in dressing-gown and slippers, th( lawyer concluded lie had been ur very late the night before. In fact, Mi Ponder admitted the impeachment wbifr apologising for his state of dishabille adding with charming candour that Ik had been i deucedly pprung ' last night and was consequently rather ' chippy.' * I'm devilish glad to see you, shall the same. Have a glass of sherry ? said Mr Ponder, hospitably. 'No, thank you, young man,' returned Mr Deeds, gravely. ' Yoi evidently don't know who I am.' * Can'fc say I do,' returned Mi Ponder, carelessly. * I tun Lady Falcon's solicitor,' said Mr Deeds, with meaning ; ( a trustee nnder her husband's will, and in a sense (he guardian of her children.' Mr Ponder seemed rather taker aback at this announcement, and looker disconcerted. He took a deep drtnghi -of brandy-and-soda, apparently to lml( his confusion, and to fortify himself foi the ordeal which lie probably apprehended. 'I think that fact is sufficient justifi--cation for my calling upon you, Mi Ponder/ continued Mr Deeds, with great severity. * I have heard certain rumours about you which require contradiction, or I shall feel it my duty to reveal my information to Lady Falcon and her daughter.' ' What have you heard sir V said Mr Ponder, defiantly. * Several things which are hardly to your credit. For instance, I am told that you are — ahem I—carrying1 — carrying on a disgraceful flirtation with an actress,' eaid Mr Deeds, looking at the young man over his spectacles. ' What the deuce has that to do with you, sir ?' cried young Ponder, with a flash of temper. ' Well, Mr Ponder, considering the relation in which I stand to Lady Falcon and her daughter, I think your question is rather superfluous, said Mr Deeds, pompously, 'Lady Falcon and her daughter may go to the — I mean,' said the young man, checking himself, ' that it is a A — d piece of impertinence, yourcotninc: here and lecturing me ahont my private affairs. You may tell Lady Falcon — ami her daughter, too — that I'm not fit person to be received into decent

society, if yon like. And you may add that I would marry Dot Bingham tomorrow if she would have me. And now, Mr Deeds, or whatever your name is, you may go to the devil, and* I'll trouble you to clear out of this, 1 added Mr Ponder, with unpleasant emphasis, aud a very angry look in his eyes. ; ' 'Pon my word, Mr Ponder,' gasped Mr Deeds, perfectly aghast 5 * your behaviour is positively scandalous. I ' ' Are you going to clear out of this, sir ?' interrupted young Ponder, springing to his feet, angrily. Mr Deeds did not seelc to prolong the interview, thereby showing his discretion ; for evidently the young man's temper was thoroughly roused, and he would have proceeded to unpleasant extremities on the smallest provocation. His irritation was no doubt partly duo to the lingering effects of the previous night's dissipation, and partly to vexation and annoyance of the lawyer's threat of disclosing his delinquencies to Lady Falcon, Mr Deeds no longer felt the slightest hesitation about the course he should pursue. la fact, on emerging from Mr Ponders chambers — with a secret feeling of relief at having escaped personal violence, which for the moment modified his rage and indignation — the lawyer at once hailed a cab, ad drove straight to the widow's residence. On arriving there he heard that Lady Falcon was not within, but Miss Amy was at home, and he therefore sent in his name, and asked to see her. The young lady was evidently rather startled at the lawyer's unexpected visit, and received him nervously, as though she had a foreboding of evil. She was a pleasant, ladylike girl, with quiet-manners and a pretty face. Mr Deeds' heart misgave him when he thought of the pain he was about to iuflicf, and he began to wish he had not been so precipitate. 'My dear young lady/ he* said, seeking to express himself as delicately as possible. <• lam afraid lam the bearer of ill news. I have come to speak to yon about young Mr Ponder.' * What about him ?' said the young lady, looking frightened. 1 The fact is, my dear, I have ascertained that the young man is not worthy of you,' said the lawyer, gently. 'I have discovered that he is carrying on a flirtation with an actress in the most open manner. 1 <I heard something of the kind,' said Miss Amy, blushing. 'But I really don't sco how that concerns me MiDeeds.' ' What 1 Not when you are engaged to be married to him V cried the lawyer, in amazement. 'I am not engaged to be married to Mr Ponder,' returned the young lady, with embarrassment, ' or to anyone.' 'Is it broken off, then ? ' gasped Mr Deeds. ' I was never engaged to him, MiDeeds. I cannot imagine what makes you think so. Mr Ponder is only a friend — a slight acquaintance — who comes to dances here sometimes. I iiope this rumour has not got about,' said the young lady, looking distressed. i This is extraordinary ! ' exclaimed Mr Deeds, after a blank stare of amaee- ; ment. * Where is your mother V he added, sharply. * Mamma is abroad. She has gone for a tour in Italy f with some friends,' returned the young lady. 1 That is what she wanted the money for, then I' muttered the lawyer/ under his breath. ' Confound her ! It was a trick I What is worse, lam personally liable for the money, and have made a fool of myself into the bargain.' ' What is the matter, Mr Deeds ? Are you ill !' exclaimed Miss Amy, alarmed by the expression of his face, * No, my dear. Certainly not/ lie replied, with a start. * Pray pardon me for my stupidity. I certainly understood——. However, I'm very glad I i was mistaken. Good day, Miss Amy. When you write to your mother, you can tell her I called, and give her my compliments/ he added, ominously.

Says a popular writer in a London paper : — The county-court judge of a London district, who had made himself rather famous for certain eccentricities of character, was endeavouring, the other day, to elicit from a female witness the tcrmß of friendship on which she was with one of the parties in the cause. • How did you write to him ?' asked the judge. 'By post* she replied. 'That's not what I want to know,' continued the judge. ' Did you write to him as "Sir,"j " Dear sir," " My dear sir," or " D n your eyes," or how ?' The editor of the ? Polite Letter-Writer ' may take a euggostion from this in laying down rules of conduct for the uninitiated in addressing their inimical correspondents,