Lirriper’s Deception.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXII, Issue 3962, 14 December 1906, Page 1 (Supplement)

Lirriper’s Deception.

—*— “Bills, bills, bills! Only two years in London and £7OO in debt. By George! that’s not a bad record for a lay student. If tho old dad know that I owed even so much as a five-pound note iio’d cut mo off with tho proverbial twelve coppers.” Tom Lirriper lit his pipe and stared moodily at tho china shepherdess on mo chunney-pioco. “1 should have managed all right if I’d only had myserf to consider, but when a follow is engaged to a jolly gir l like Dulcie Doono—well, ho has to spend a bit; and I think it’s dashed inconsiderate! of tho guv’nor not to double my allowance, considering how pleased ho was when I told him of my engagement. Let’s have a look at his letter again.” Ho took tho letter from his pocketbook and spread it upon the table. My Dear Son, —The news of your engagement to Miss Doono has pleased mo beyond measure. Jasper Doono and I went to school together, and you are a lucky dog to be received into such a family. I would run up to London to sc© you, but my old enemy the gout has got me, amd I sha’n’t bo able to put my foot down for weeks. Work hard, my boy, land make yourself worthy ei her. 1 will give you £2,000 the‘day yon are married. Your affectionate father, Gregory Lirriper. “B}- George! Two thousand the- day I am married! I shall go smash long before then, and tho old man will play the Spartan father and disinherit me.” While he sat ruminating and railing at Fate tho door cf Irs room was open od and the figure of his landlady protruded into the apartment. “Miss Dcono has called, and before I sends her up I should like to remind yon, Mr. Larripcr, as my bill is now over £l(3, and as landladies must live R'J well as other folk—- “ Say nothing about your account, Mrs. Moor/ey, nothing at all ; 1 assure yon it will be seen to'. Pray send Miss Doono up at once.” The landlady retired, grumbling, and in a few minuted Dulcie Do one entered the room. “Why, Dulcie, this is a surprise.Fancy yon coming to see me in these old diggings. 1 should never have dared to invite yon hero.” “They don’t look vciy tempting, Tom, 1 must say; hut I can't stay a minute. I just came to tell you that mother and I are going down to Devonshire; we have a wire to say that my aunt is very ill and wants to sec me. i just called in on my way to the station.” “Oil, I say. and how long are yon going to bo a way? ’ “1 cannot toll you tnat, Tom, dear. Aunt is bo very id that they clo not expect her to recover, and in that case we shall stay to the end. It is tho least I can do, seeing that 1 am to iuncrit all her property; and she is very rich.” “Ah, I see flow it .is. You'll go away, and come back a rich heiress, and then forget all about poor Tom Lirriper.” “Oh, you silly -old goose, as if money would make any difference to me. But I must really go now, Tom; mother i.s waiting at the station, and I must not miss tile train.” “Well, good-bye, dear; you’ll write to me every day, and ” Tho rest of lus admonition became inaudible in an affectionate embrace, and in a few minutes he was once mote. alone, a prey to tho terrors of his monetary position. “Bv Jove! I don’t know what to do. 'What with Dulcie being away, and these beastly money worries, 1 shall have an awful fit of the blues.” The door was partly open, and as he walked moodily up and down a bright face with a pair of mischievous eyes looked in at him. “Why is the lion so restless this morning? Such pacing to and fro is not conducive to tho study of the law.” “Ah, Mrs. Crisp, good morning; come in.” Mrs. Caroline Crisp occupied tho suite of rooms above Tom Lirripor’s. Sho was a bright, cheery little woman whose husband was away in South Africa on business, and was not expected hack for another month. She had not been very long under Mrs. Mooney’s roof, but she and Tom Lirriper wore already good friends. "Well, and what’s tho matter? Yon look as cheerful as a rainy day.” Oh, everything’s the matter. I’m up to ni3 r neck in debt, and I don’t see any way of getting out of it.” “Ob, 3’ou poor boy, I’m so- sorry; but your father is a rich man, isn’t ho? vviu* not lay the whole matter before him?” “My dear Mrs. Crisp, 1 have no doubt you mean well, but .von don’t know what 3’on are talking about. If m3' old dad knew that I was in debt he would distiard me like an old boot.” “Dear, dear, that’s bad ; and I don’t see. how I can help yon. Is it much?” “About £700.” “Good gracious- What on earth have yon -been doing?” “Well, 3'on sec, I—T am engaged to bo married, and—well, a fellow must spend a bit when lie has a jolly girl to take about.” “And does your father approve of s'onr engagement?” “Rather! Just look at this letter ho sent mo when I told him of it. “That i.s very kind of him. Mr. Lirriper. ‘Two thousand pounds the day 3’ou are married.’ What a pit3’ yon can’t got married at once. You could pa3’ you-r debts and still have £1.300. ’ ‘"By Jove! that’s not a bad idea. Thank you, Mrs. Crisp; I will think about it.” It Is tho onlv way out that I can see. if you really think it is impossible to tell vonr father.” . “Uh, that is out of the question “Well, then, try the other. Cheer up and don’t bo down-hearted: all will come right. Good-bye. I must be oil now.” r , . With tho departure of airs, rtiisp, Tom Lirriper sat down and began to seriously consider tho feasibility ot her suggestion. His creditors would nowait longer than a day or two, and tho necessity of having the m °noy immediately was imperative. But Dulcie was on her way to Devonshire for an m-

definite period, mid even if she had been in London it was improbable that she would agree to such a hasty marriage. “Confound it, I don’t know what to do. ’ -And as he sat there almost despairing, ns evil genius perched himself on his shoulder and turned his thoughts into a channel from which ho started back with a shudder. . ‘/ So ' 11 (>. I could never do it; the risk IS too groat, and he would never forgive mo if he found out. And yet—and yet dad is such ,a confirmed invalid with Ins gout that lie could not come to my wedding in any case. Gould fvhl°+ t' 1 risl , c . it? Lot me see u Jiat I could say to him.’’ Lo sab down' at his desk, and after note •-* 0,1 composed tho following “xMy Dear Dad,-Yon will bo surprised to hear that I was married this morning by special license. Circumstances m my wife’s family made it impeiatiyo that wo should be married immediately or postpone tho ceremony for a oonplo of years. I foci sure you will not ’blame mo for consummating unhappiness at such short notice, and as ivo are starting at once for our honeymoon tour on tho Continent, 1 shall bo glad if you can send me tho £2 000 you promised mo. ’ In much haste, your affectionate son, firm Tom. Jhat reads dl right; tho only thiim will it succeed, and what' is my position after? Well, I must risk it. and when I have got the money 1 will buy a special licence, run down to Devonshire, and persuade Dulcic to marry mo at once.” With many misgivings he addressed tlio envelope and sealed it, and when he wont out to post it his hand lies:bated many times before he finally cliopptxl it into tho Dox, oi iniiul during the next two diivs 'can better bo imagined than described, and " hen on the second day ho found a letter on his breakfast-table in If.s father's jiand-Avriting ho tore it open with feverish haste. My Dear Son,—Your letter naturally surprised me very much, but as 1 do not believe in long engagements I cannot blame you for taking the short alternative. I am glad to toll you that my gout has wonderfully improved, and ns I should like to pay my respects to your wife I am coining to London, and will bo with yon almost as soon as you get this letter.—Tour affectionate father, , Grogoi'y Lirriper. ‘What! my father coming bore! T am lost, lost! Oh, what a fool I’ve boon! Its alll through that Mrs. Crisp putting the idea into my head. "What shall I do? Oh, I am going mad!' - ' “Anything wrong, Mr. Lirriper?" “Oh, it’s you Mrs. Crisp, is it? Yes, there is something wrong. Come in, don’t stand there; a nice little thing yon have done for me with your suggestions.'’ “Why, what have I done? - ’ “What have yon done? You .suggested that I should got married as scon as possible, so as to get the £2,000 my father promised me.’’ “Well?” “Well. I wrote to him and told him that I was married, and—and instead of sending me the money, he’s—lie's coming here.” “But you arc not married,. are you?" “Of worst of it. j.io’ll be here in .a few minutes and want mo l to produce my wife. Oh, I am ruined, and it’s all ' your fault.” “My fault? I like that. I < did not tell you to 'deceive your father.” “No, but your suggestion put it into my head. Here, what’s that? A cab has stopped at the front door, and the gnv’n.or is getting out. Oh, what shall I do?” “Well, as I don't want to he present at a painful scene I Avill go up to my OAvn room” Mrs. Crisp rose to go, but to her astonishment Tom Lirriper suddenly seized her by tho shoulders and forced her back into her chair. “No, you don’t, Mrs. Crisp. Yon got mo into this mess, and you’ve got to get mo out of it, unless you Avant to see me ruined.” “1! "What can I do?” “Be my Avife for an hour.” “Impassible. I ” “But I insist upon it; not a word. W’o leave lor our honeymoon by tho 11.5 train from Cannon Street, so it will bo only for an hour; don’t ruin mo, for goodness’ sake. Agree to everything I say, and I Avil.l get rid of him as soon ;a.s possible. Hush! not a AA’ord, ho is here.” Dumbly protesting. Mrs. Crisp collapsed in’the chair and nervously aAvaitcd the approaching intorvicAv. In anotliev instant the door opened and Gregory L'Triper entered. “Well, dad, this is a surprise.” “Aye, my boy, it is, but it is nothing to tho surprise you gave me Avhcn I received your letter saying that yon were married. And this is my dangh-ter-in-laAv, oh? Come dear, and give tho old man a kiss. - ’ And before Mrs. Crisp could protest Gregory Lirriper had seized her in liis arms and given her half-a-dozen kisses. “And a bonnv lass you are, too, and I’m proud of yon. Funny thing, your lather iaiul I 'wore at .school together. “indeed, sir, I ” “No. I don't suppose you knoAv anything about it; but look here, I ve brought 3'ou a little Aveckhug present. Hoav do vou like that, eh?” And Gregory Lirriper produced from a leather case a magnificent diamond necklet. “Oh, sir. I couldn’t really. 1 ' Seeing that Mrs. Crisp was al>ont to refuse the costly gift, Tom immediately came forward. “Don't bo silly, my dear; dad Avoultl not giA-o you such an expensive present unless he could afford it. Hero, lot ind clasp it on. There, my dear, it looks beautiful; thank you _ very much, dad, for your kind present.” “Oh, that’s all right, my boy, and hero is tho little cheque I promised you, but you haven’t told me yet the reason yon got married in such a hurry.” “Well, Ico-i here, dad; you sec, it c ibis way. Wo didn't knoAv that you would be able to come up, and avo ar-

ranged to start on our honeymoon by the 11.5 from Cannon Street. If I stay to tell you the Avhole story -we shall miss our train, so you won’t mind if I postpone it. ’ “Certainly not, my boy. But it’s tho rummiest business I over heard of, getting married at five minutes’ notice. No, no; don't let mo spoil your arrangements. Hallo! Avhere’s me girl? - ’’ Mias. Crisp found herself unable to bear tho situation any longer, and taking an opportunity when Gregory Lirnipers back Avas turned, had made her escape from the room. “Funny going off like that. I thought she seemed a bit dazed. No msanty i n the family, is there?” • , ull > no ) I assure yon; but she is shy—very sny; and you coming along so suddenly ” ° Ah made her nervous, I dare say. W ell Avell. my boy, I hope you Avill ho tciy happy. By the Avay, I met an old friend in tho train, and I asked him to meet mo here. You Avon’t mind mo waiting until ho comes.?” liko^’ 1 ’ ” 0 ’ dad ’ stay as loil S as you ready P ” y Wd ' ; ° ff you S° got . “You are not vexed that I got married m such a hurry?” b “Not at all, my boy. She seems a, IvnLc'? f 7 U !~~'i f J uito s 0 yo»ng as I expected; but she s none the Averse for tliat. 1 only hope she Avon’t be afraid oi her okl dad-m-law.” Feeling very much like a kicked spanicf, lorn hurried upstairs, AA-here lie had to use all Ins powers of persuasion to induce Mrs. Crisp to continue the deception and got ready for the supposed departure for the station. MoaiiAvliilc Gregory Lirriper lit a cigar and made hit. self comfortable in loins sitting-room \ bile he .waited tho arrival cf his friend. He had not long to Avait. for in a feAv minutes a tall, broad-shouldered man Avith a bronzed face entered the room. Ah, Anthony! You’ve found your way here, eh? You are just in time to see my boy and his wife start off on their honeymoon.” “Wo'l. lie’s luckie'r than I am, for I can t find my Avife at all.” “Not find your Avife?” “That's about the size of it. Yon see, I went aAray to South Africa for nine months, and left my Avife in lodgings at Bloomsbury. Well, I found I could come back a month before my time; .so to give her a surprise I started for England Aviuiont telling her, and now I find that she has left her lodgings, and no one knoAA’s Avhoro she has gone to." “That is very awkAAard, Anthony; you’ll have to advertise in the agony columns of the papers. Halloa! avlio ia this?” At this juncture the door opened and Dulcie Doono entered the room. “Oh ! I bog your pardon ; I thought to find Tom—l mean Mr. Lirriper—hero.” “That's all right, my dear; come in and sit doAA'n. Tom Avill be here in a minute; he’s just getting ready to go off on bis honeymoon.” ‘“His honeymoon! Is Tom-Tom married?” “Ah, my dear, that surprises you, does it? Well, I can tell you it surprised me last night when I got tho letter telling me the news.” “Tom—married! I—l can’t believe it.” “But it is true, my dear; I’ve scon his Avife, and purely I—Tom’s own father—ought to knoAA-.” “Tom’s father?” “Yo.s; I am Gregory Lirriper, and would you mind telling me who you are, my dear? Yon seem upset.” “I—am Dulcie Doone ; and I—l was engaged to Tom. I can’t believe it.” "What! You Dulcie Doone! Then avlio is tho woman he has married?” “Hoav can I tell? I left London two days ago and—and Tom told mo nothing about this Avhen I said good-bye to him.” “Two days ago! Why, he must have been married by then. Look herd, my dear, there is some mystery here, and I’m going to solve it. Hero comes Tom noAA"; you go behind this screen for a minute while I tackle him. Anthony, would yon mind going also?” Gregory Lirriper bundled the tAvo behind the screen just as Tom entered tho room. “Well, Tom, my boy, all ready, oh?” “Yes, dad; my Avife Avill be doAvn in a minute.” “Well, look here, my boy. I’m not quite satisfied about this hasty marriage of yours. Can you assure me that everything is all right?” “Why. Avhat do you mean?” “I will ask you a plain question. Can you assure me that you have not been playing fast and loose .Avith the affections of any young lady other than your Avife?” “I don’t understand you, sir, and I beg you Avill not upset my Avife just as aa’o are starting on our honeymoon. She is so very sensitive that the slightest Avorry makes her ill. Hush! here she is now.” Mrs. Crisp entered the room dressed for travelling, but looking more dead than alive. Tom sprang forward and supported her round the A\ - aist. “H’m! She certainly looks very guilty about something. May I ask. madam, what your Christian name is?” “Dulcie,” answered Tom, promptly. “Oh. indeed! then may I ask who this is?” ansAvered the old man, as ho droAV Dulcie from behind tho screen. “Oh. Tom, Tom, why did yon do it?” “Dulcie! yon here?” “Yes. I am here; I am sorry I came, but it gives me the opportunity of returning your ring.” “But, Dulcie, I can explain ’ “You cannot explain tho fact of your marriage.” While Tom was still supporting the half-fainting form of Mrs. Crisp, tho man whom Gregory Lirtdper called Anthony came from behind the screen and gazed at her in astonishment. “Caroline!” “Anthony!” Sho took a step forward and held outlier arms, but Anthony Crisp stood like a statue. ■ ... “I should like- some explanation of this. I leave England for a considerable time, and when I return I find that yon have left your lodgings and committed a bigamous marriage Avith this man.” “But Anthony, Anthony, wc are not

married.” “And yet you are about to start on your honeymoon.” “Oh, this is preposterous; Tom Lirriper, bo a man, and got mo out of this trouble.” * 4, ‘Ay£!” exclaimed Gregory Lirripor, “I should like to hear Tom’s explanation. It ■will take a lot to convince mo that he’s not a young blackguard.” “t)h,' Tom, what is it? You are not married;, are you?” asked Dulcio. V- “No, dear, lam hot, but I have made , a thorough fool of myself, and must risk your .forgiveness ail round. I am sorry tot say, dad, that I am deeply in debt, and in order to avoid a smash urtjwps necessary that I should find some money. Knowing your horror of debts ' I could not ask you, and in an evil moment I ttrought of the £2,000 you promised me on my wedding day.” , .. “And you wrote and told mo you wore married, while all the time it was an untruth?” .. . “That is so, dad, and I am very sorry 'for it. As soon as I got the money 1 t was going do\vu to Devonshire to ask j Dulcio to marry me, but you turned up, and I—l made Mrs. Crisp play 'ho part of .my wife.” , “Very well, sir, you have mado a 'fool'of me and a fool of yourself, and so you must bear the’consequences. I 'don’t ever to see you again; and you will ’ not inherit a penny of my money. Good day.” “Oh, Mr. Lirriper, don’t go like that,” exclaimed Duloie. “If I can forgive Tom, surely you can. As for your 'money, we don’t want it, as my aunt has Idft mo £20,000; but wo do want your lovo, and you will nob refuse us mat?” “Well, well, if you put it like that, I suppose I must forgive him. And what about you, Anthony?** “Oh! I pm so rejoiced at finding my wife that I am ready to forgive anybody and everybody.”