Miss Falcon's Engagement

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4395, 3 February 1883, Page 1

Miss Falcon's Engagement

[Concluded fbom iast Satubdat]

Mr Deeds' . impulse was to call on Lady Falcon directly, ho made this great discovery. On second thoughts, however, he resolved to act more' cautiously. It would never do fo go to Lady Falcon with news of this, kind -heard at secondband It might be false 'or exaggerated, or possibly the whole affair might turn out a case,'of mistaken identity. After mature consideration he determined to pay a visit to, .young Mj Ponder, and verify the. information .that hadi come to his knowledge before taking any steps upon it. ' ' , - r Young Ponder received him civilly enough, though he 1 looked rather askance at him. The!young man was-making a light breakfast' of spda and brandy and dry toast, from which circumstance, and from the fact of bii_still being arrayed in dressing»gown .and^ljppcrs, the lawyer concluded he, had, been up very late the night before. .~It» factj Mr Ponder admitted the impeachment while apologising for, his sate of deshabille, adding with charming condoor that he had, been " deucedly sprung" last night and was consequently rather " chippy;' 1 " I'm devilish glad to see you, sir,- all the saate., -Have a #fast?W .<lierryP":saul Mr Ps4|£ hospitably. , '"* " " NoJfenk yeu.^oTMg man," returned knotf who Lam*; >+■ 3l ' " •:<wCan't say I d'oP^Sfcturneflt Mr Ponder, carelessly. ' : l r ' . "^tj. ■"* "I am Lady Falcon's solicitor," saidMr Deeds, with mraniiig ;;•" a under her husband's will, and in a -'sense *"' the guardian of her children." Mr Ponder seemed rather taken aback at th'is'anriouncetnent, and looked disconcerted.'- Hetoolt a deep draught' of brandy^ and-:soda t apparently to hide his cbnfution, and to fortify himself for the ordeal which he probably aprehendedi 7 ' " I think that fact is sufficient justification for my calling upon you, Mr Ponder," continued Mr Deeds' with great severity. ".I have beard certain rumours - about you which require contradiction, or I shajl feel it my duty to reveal my inform a 1 ion to Lady Falcon an dber danghter." . , ■, " What have you beard, sir ?" said Mr Ponder, defiantly. , r „ „ , " Several things which are hardly to your credit. For instance, lam told that you are—ahem !—carrying on a disgraceful flirtation with an-actress," said 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 Tclation in which I stand to Lady Falcon and her daughter, I thirile your question is rather superfluous," said Mr Deeds, 1 pompously. ." Lady Falcon and her daughter may go to the—l mean," ; »aid the young man, checking himself, " that it is a d—d piece of impertinence, you coming here and lecturing me about my private affairs. . You may tell Lady Falcon—and her daughter, too—that I'm not a fit person to be received in decent society, if you like. And you may add that I- would marry Dot gingham to-morrow 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," added;Mr Ponder, with; unpleasant emphasis, and a very angry look in his eyes. -■ " !,•■•-. " 'Ponmyword, Mr fonder,", gasped Mr Deeds, perfectly aghast'; "Your behaviour is poitively scandalous. I——" " Are you going, to clear out of this, sir ?" interrupted young Ponder, springing to his feet, angrily. Mr Deeds did not seek 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 ou the smallest provocation. His irritation was no doubt partly due to the _ lingering effects of the previous night's dissipation, and partly to vexation and annoyance at - the lawyer's threat' of disclosing hia delinquencies to Lady Faloon. Mr Deeds no' longer felt the slightest hesitation about the course he should pursue." Ih fact,, on emerging from Mr Ponder*

chambers —with a secret feeling of reliaf t&bpvtng escaped personal violence, which for the moment modified his jrage%apd | indignation—the lawyer at once hailed a cab, and drove straight to the widow's residence. X>n arriving there he heard that.Lady Falcon- was" not within, cbut Amy w"as at home, and he therefore ■ sent in his name,,and asked to see,her.

The young lady was 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 rpretty faoe. Mr Deeds' heart><misgave. him,when he thought of the pain he. was .•boot to inflict, ; and, he began, to wi^h - he : &d~B6t been soprecipitate. .' x : '? . " My dear yeung lady," he said, seeking to express, himself as'idelicately, as possible. "I am afraid lam the bearer of ill news, I have come to speSk to you aboutyoung Mr Ponder. . : : -. "'Whatabout him !" said the,young lady, looking frightened. - -.Tii TnTfactlsriny "dear, I have aVcertslin " ed that the young man is not worthy of you," said the lawyer, gently. "I have * discovered that he is carrying on a flirttation with; an actress, in the most open manner."

" I heard something.of the kind," said Mits Amy, blushing. " But I really don't see how that concerns me, Mr Deeds."

i.: " What! Not when you are engaged to be married to him !" cried the lawyer, in amaaement. " I am not engaged to be married to Mr Fonder,", returned the young lady, with embarrassment, " or to anyone." " Is it broken off, then ?" gasped Mr Deeds. " I was never engaged to him, Mr Deeds. I cannot imagine what makes you think so. Mr Ponder is only a friend—a slight acquaintance—who comes to dance here sometimes. I hope this rumour has not got about," said the young ■ lady, looking distressed. " " This is extraordinary J" exclaimed Mr Deeds, after a blank stare of amaze* ment. - •• "Where is your mother ?" he

added, sharply. " Mamma is abroad. Sbe has gone for a tour in Italy, with some friends," re» : turned the young lady. ; " That is what she wanted the money for, then !." muttered the lawyer, under his: breath. . " Confound her ! It was a trick ! What is worse, I am personally liable for money, and have made a fool of myself into the bargain." "What,is the matter, Mr. Deeds P Are you ill!" exclaimed Miss Amy, alarmed by the expression on his face. "■No, my dear. Certainly not," he replied, with a start. " Pray pardon me for my stupidity. I certainly understood —r- However, Fm very glad I was mistaken. Good day, Miss Amy. When you writo to your, mother, you can tell ber I called, and give her my compliments," he added, ominously.— Truth.