The Washington critic., 1886-04-19
BROWNS MARRIAGE.


Concerning Brown, it was said that
he never saw pretty face without
falling in love with it. He certainly
was Of a susceptible nature, but he had
so much time on his hands and so
much money which he considered 1t
incumbent on him to spend, that he
had to do something. AS he had
neither wit nor industry enough to
take to trade or sport he took to fall
ing in love, and in his drowsy and easy
going way did his best TO-. do his self
imposed vocation justice.
One day, after he had carried his
fascinating employment on ten years or
so, and wasted fortune on bon-bons
and opera boxes, diamonds and lap
dogs, lawn parties and midnight ban.
quets, according TO the social and
moral qualities Of his impartial in.
amoratas, his friend Robinson sug.
gested 1t was about time he got mar.
ried. Brown had great regard for
Robinson, for several reasons. One
was that they belonged to the same
club, and perhaps still moro because
itODlubOu OWCNl hObiloOu
had the tastes Of prince and the in
come Of parasite. Browns ready
good nature and plethoric bank account
represented all Of this income but a
couple of thousand dollars year,
the rent of house an eccentric
old aunt had left her pet nephew in
trust, for fear he would squander
the principal If it was given to him.
Robinson had reason TO bless the fore.
sight of his venerable benefactor after
he finished his share of Robinson
seniors estate. 1t provided him, at
any rate, with club dues and pocket
money, and chance and ready wit
supplied the rest--that is to say, they
supplied him with Brown, and for ten
years Brown fulfilled the rest of the
contract.
$50 you think I ought to get mar
ried, chr" said Brown.
"You ought" returned Robinson.
decislvely; "it's too bad. You're fritter-
ing yourself away like raw member,
and I'll swear there are gray hairs in
your moustachc."
"Well," said Brown, "perhaps
you're right. But who is she?"
Didn't you meet my sister when
you were at Naples last winter?" de-
manded Robinson.
"Ohl" retorted his friend. "She-''
"She's the best and purest girl alive, -
cried Robinson, with sudden animation,
dealing the table blow with his open
palm.
well, who the deuce said she
wasn't?" asked Brown calmly. 81
was going to say she wouldn't have
me"
"My dear boy" said Robinson,
drawing his chair closer, and patting
his knee in friendly confidence, you're
wrong"
"No," said Brown, incredulously.
81 tell you yes" insisted Robinson
"The poor girl adores you. She ha:
written to me dozen times, and made
me promise never to give 1t away tC
you. l am breaking my word, bu
/ can't help 1t. Friendship, deal
boy"
"Robby," said Brown, getting up
you're good fellow. Thank you
I'll think oft"
They went out together. AS they
parted at the first corner, Robinson
having some special business ant
Brown an engagement at the stage dool
of the Casino, the former borrowed {
spare fifty from his friend. Will,
Brown was bowling up town in han
som, Robinson was In the office of thu
Commercial Cable Company writing
the following dispatch, which he pai(
for out of the clean, crisp note whicl
had not grown warm in his hand:
Mss Louise Robinson, Hotel Ragossy, Paris
| France,
Come home at once. Brown and weddn
bells are ready. FIRED.
1t was grey morning when Brown
cat.footed valet pulled his master
boots off. Invested in his night rob,
Brown dismissed his attendant. Hi
head was hot and the bed looked warm
He opened the window and looked int
the mist. Then he closed it ant
lighted a cigar from stand on tn
mantle, went to his desk and from on
account book in cover of aromatic
leather. This book was headed, pag,
for page:
+. ROBINSON, DIR. f. Robinson, CIR.
The pages under "F. Robinson, DR..
were full of dates and figures. Thos
under "F. Robinson, Or" were blank
For half an hour Brown totted up col
umn after column of figures, putting
his cigar calmly and with as impassiv
face as if he had been counting grain
Of sand instead of gold.
"Gadv' he said, when he had mad
total. "IIe's too greedy"
And he closed his book, threw hi
cigar and the balance sheet into tn
CRATE, rinsed his mouth out and went t
bed.
Three weeks later L'Ameriqu
steamed up the harbor. The first shor
, visitors to board her at her pier wer
Brown and Robinson. The greetin
,, between Robinson and his sister wa
charmingly tender. Miss Robinson
reception of Brown was delightful
gentle and conhding. Miss Robinso
) might have been few years younger
but she could not have been more il
nocent and trustful II she had tried
Happy as she was to meet her old AZ
quaintance, for whose sake the de
Youring worm had ever since bee
preying upon her cheek, she insiste
on Dear Fred" putting her in tn
coach. Brown, whose gallantry wa
natural, however vicious indulgenc
, had rendered it, performed that oilic
, for her maid. 1t was raining and h
insisted ON the maids sharing tn
coach-with them. His valet RENAME
to battle with the tide.waiters.
, For the next month nothing wa
, talked about in certain set but the ~
, preaching union of Brown and tn
Robinsons. 1t was splendid mate
! for them was the universal verdic
: Brown was a millionaire, Miss Robir
/ son had about enough q year to pa
/, her board abroad and dress her d
0 Gently, and every one knew what Ere
was. A good many people went so Il
a as to express sorrow for Brown. Il
| nn1,, e,,i1o1 ,rh an lio yolat rovn hi