The Hon. Vesey's Last hope.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4413, 24 February 1883, Page 1

The Hon. Vesey's Last hope.

The Honorable Vesey Merthyn war almost played out. He had run through two fortunes, besides thatwhich came from his deceased wife. No further assistance was forthcoming from his brother, the Peer, and the rich aunt, from whom he i cherished expectations, left the whole of her property to the Society for the Conversion of the Jews to Christianity. He had long since exhausted the patienc of friends and creditors ! his paper was worthless, and his reputation somewhat tarnished. No one knew exactly why he suddenly retired from the Phoenix Club, of which he was an original member. He was mixed up with some bubble companies in the City, and his name figured regularly in the list of patrons ofmushs-, room co-operative stores. At fifty he was beginning to lose his good looks and fascinating manners, bis stories were stale, and his conversation had lost its piquancy. It required no great stretch of imagination to picture the Honorable Vesey leading a precarious existence at some foreign watering-place, by levying blackmail on every acquaintance he came across, anddissembling his- skill and experience at e*carfe. But the Honorable Vesey Merthyn did not at present entertain any such gloomy forebodings, for he was awaiting his opportunity to play his trump card, and was sanguine of satisfactory results. , r His daughter Constance little, realised how important a part she played in her . father's prospects. From her school-days, when she began to develop that singular grace and beauty which presently took society by storm, the Honorable Vesey confidently relied upon his daughter to relieve him from his embarrassments by making a brilliant marriage. To secure for her an. eligible parti, and to guard against hopeless entanglements, had been bis constant aim, and the result was that Miss Merthyn had wealthy suitors in abundance, and seemed dutifully disposed to be guided by her father in the selection of a husband. This state of things was scarcely more satisfactory to the Honour-, able Vesey than to his numerous creditors, , who perfectly well understood how the land lay, and felt a vital interest in the successful issue of the parental manoeuvres. The Honorable Vesey made the grave mistake of being too exacting in his requirements. He not only desired that his „. son-in-law should be wealthy, but also of a generous easy-going disposition: the sort of individual, in short, who .would not fail in his duty towards his wife's father. ;It was somewhat'difficnlt to discover such' a desirable combination, but the Honorable Vesey did not suffer himself to be easily discouraged. He kept his keen eyes open, and bided his time patiently : but in the interval his daughter complicated matters by developing a decided penchant for .young Reginald Courtland,, ot the foreign office. The Honorable Vesey did not discourage the attentions of young Courtland. It suited bis purpose to be tolerant, : with the young man. Reginald Courtland was heir to a wealthy Baronet, whose gout was creeping towards his heart; he was an open*handed and generous young feK Tow in money matters, as the Honorable Vesey knew from personal experience, and his devotion to Miss Merthyn was sufficiently apparent to stimulate less demonstrative suitors to declare themselves. The Honorable Vesey foresaw that Mr Dives, the millionaire, was of a jealous disposition. Mr Dives was tbe fortunate individual destined by the Honorable Vesey for his son-in-law. It is true the millionaire was elderly, vulgar, and illiterate; but on the other hand, his wealth was untold, his life was abad one, and, above all, he enter* tamed the highest respect and admiration for the Honorable Vesey. The anxious father attached great importance to the last qualification, especially as Mr Dives' was a plain business man, who had no fine feelings or sentimental nonsense about him. The Honorable Vesey felt, therefore, that he could discuss his affair? with Mr Dives without delicacy. Eeginald Courtland's marked attention to Miss Merthyn had the desired effect upon M? Dives. The rich man sulked at first, then grew angry, and finally became desperate. He sought out the Honorable Vesey, and formally proposed for his daughter's hand, offering settlements, diamonds, and pin money on the most liberal scale. An arrangement was come to without much discussion, but Mr Dives looked glum at the prospect of paying .his future father-in-law's debts, and only agreed to make him the allowance stipulated for after considerable hesitation. • ... When the Honorable Vesey informed

his daughter of the fH:ci»y which awaited her^ he learnt, to his disgust, that she considered herself engaged to Reginald Courtland. No formal engagement existed; but the young people had come to ah understanding between themselves, and Courtland was only waiting to hear what his_ uncle, the Baronet, proposed to do for him, before asking Mr Merthyn's consent. Under these circumstances the Honorable Vesey found it no easy task to reconcile his daughter to the choice-he had .made_.for her. .He was obliged to exert his parental authority, and to give his child a clearer insight into his own affairs than ho had bargained for. The upshot; of the matter was. that Courtland received his Conge. It was the old story of a dutiful daughter sacrificing her. happiness from a sense of filial obligation.

For a while matters progressed' to the Honorable ■ Vesey's entire satisfaction. His .daughter received the attentions of Mt Dive's With resignation, and the millionaire expanded under the influence of hls-courtship. —The Honorable Vosey revelled in the agreeable sensation of returning prosperity. His creditors suddenly became, civil and accommodating, and. he was congratulated, on all sides upon the splendid match* his daughter was making. But he Boon found Reginald Courtland was likely to give trouble. The young 1 nan naturally complained of the way in which he had been treated, and managed to infect Miss Merthyn with his rebellious spirit. The lady began to grow colder than ever towards Mr Dives, and evinced a disposition to jilt that estimable gentleman on the smallest provocation. To make matters worse the millionaire discovered tHat his future father-in-law's debts were much heavier than he had been led to be Heve, and appeared discontented with his bargain. The Honourable Vesey consequently, resolved to take his daughter for a trip to the Continent. He bad misgivings tbat if he allowed her to re mam in England, Coartland might prevail upon her to elope with him. Besides which, he was anxious to humour Mr Dives, by inducing his creditors to accept a composition, and thought he could effect this desirable object more easily if he were out of reach. He kept his own counsel as long as possible, for obvious reasons, and did not inform his daughter of the intended

journey until the morning of the day on which they were to start. Mis<» Merthyn contrived, nevertheless, to send.a note to Courtland, informing him of her sudden departure. The young man received the news wiih a sinking heart. He easily guessed that part of the scheme which the Honorable Vessey had not thought necessary .to explain, to his daughter. Mr Dives' was going on the Continent also, and had dropped hints from which his •uspicioas rival gathered that a quiet wedding at one of .the British Embassies was in contemplation.. The travellers startpd by the evening mail, and the Honorable Vesey deemed it necessary to adopt a few precautions to elude the vigilance of his creditors, who would naturally object to his leaving the country. He shaved off his whiskers and muffled himself up,so that his features were \ liardly visible. When the train arrived at Dover, he lingered at the station on Pretence of keeping an eye on bis .luggage, and did not attempt to embark sill the Inst moment. When ha reached the landing stage; with his daughter on his arm, the other passengers were all on board; the last batch of luggage had been lowered on deck; and the warning, bell was sounding. The Honorable Yesey glanced uneasily at the small group of persons assembled round the gangway of the steamer, and was startled to behold Eeginald Court* land. Fortunately Miss Merthyn did not perceive him, and stepped on board without looking round. Her father was about to follow, when somebody touched his arm. It was a peremptory touch—a touch which the Honorable Vesey knew instinctively it would be vain to ignore. A quiet, unobtrusive, but resolute individual politely informed him that he was arrested on a warrant of ne exeat regno. The Honorable Vesey, though taken a-back, retained' his presence of mind. He was a man of resources, and the resource he had most faith in was the power of gold. He drew the man aside, and asked bis price. The officer, tbouph at first indignant,, showed signs of yielding. The Honorable Vesey exerted all his powers of persuasion, and, in his eagerness, did not notice the steamer beginning to glide off. When he realised the .fact, she was well under weigh, and he caught a glimpse of his daughter standing on deck with Courtland by her sidn. The marriage of the beautiful Miss Merthyn with young Eeginald Courtland took everyone by surprise. Dives was furious, and the Honorable Vesey had the sympathy of his creditors. 1 lie story of the romantic elopement was in everyone's mouth; but only the bereaved father knew the true version.