AN ATTRACTION FOR FATHER AND SON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 27, 4 July 1891, Page 129

AN ATTRACTION FOR FATHER AND SON.

Christopher Bi.eyer is the name of a retired merchant of large means, whose daughters were married to well-known men, and whose son is a popular club member. Although Christopher has been a grandfather ten years and more, and is close upon 70, yet he still remains an ardent admirer of the gentler sex, and may often be seen taking young girls to the theatre or opera, or may be seen calling u|>on some dashing widow. He has plenty of money and spends it freely, and as a natural consequence is very popular. A few weeks ago it was remarked by members of his family that he was haunting a theatre where a fascinating actress is singing and dancing. Mor* than this, his daughters were informed that he was sending valuable presents to Miss Flossie Biemer ; that she had answered bis notes, and was leading him on. To call the old gentleman into a private room, lecture him for his frivolity, and forbid him to go near Flossie, might merely make him obdurate, and there was no telling what his hot blood might prompt him to do. There was £200,000 at stake- If old Bleyer

should marry the actress it would give to her a dower right worth £3,000 a year. The situation called for wise and immediate action and heroic treatment.

The two daughters were equal to it. They went straight to Flossie, laid the matter before her in its true light, and asked her to help them to save their father. Flossie listened attentively to these two fine

ladies who had come to her as suppliants. A faint smile parted her pretty lips, and her lingers toyed with the long, silken ears of her King Charles spaniel. ‘ Ladies,’ said she at length, • I have no desire to disturb the serenity of your family oracle. I'll dismiss Mr Bleyer in a few days ;be patient. Old men are often very persistent. It may take a week or more. ’ The elegantly-clad ladies shed, tears of gratitude as they pressed Flossie's little hand. ‘ You are so good,’ they exclaimed, ‘so noble. Gori bless you. ’ Flossie was as good as her word, and such was the contemptuous manner in which she received the attentions of old Mr Bleyer that he got his temper up and abandoned the beautiful Flossie. After the thing was all over, and the gossips hail got hold of the veritable facts, one of Flossie’s intimate fiiends rushed in upon her with a long string of hard names. ‘ Why.' you little fool,’ she cried, ‘old Bleyer is worth a million, and you have lost the opportunity of your life. In heaven’s name, what prompted you to turn him away !’ • Well, I’ll tell you,’ gurgled this sweet thing in womankind, as she moistened the

end of a tiny rose-coloured cigarette with her tongue. • You see, it was deucedly hard for me to keep the old gentleman from meeting Fred. Poor boy '. he was so afraid of running foul of the governor, as he calls him, that he never had a moment's peace of mind in my presence. Just try to have father and son in love with you and you’ll see how it is yourself. <lf course, I might have given Fred the sack, but, ah me, he is so handsome ! And then, you know, love is more than money.' Brave Flossie !