The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1886-11-21
HER MARRIAGE GIFT.

last moment.
That was not all.
John Pommery, the banker, was deeply
in debt to Barrada, and it had been the
tacit understanding that this marriage was
to cancel all obligations.
Not that there had been the slightest APP
proach to a bargain, even in thought
Phil loved, and supposed himself loved
again-5ut naturally, he had been more
easy in money-matters with the man
whose son-in-law he expected TO be. than
he would have been with stranger.
Poll staggered under the blow, but the
banker seemed crushed.
He sat in his elegant library, his hands
hanging limp from the arms of his chair,
his fine form shrunken' into such pitt
able heap of shame and dismay that few
would have known him.
Barrada stood by the mautelpiece, his
handsome face white, his hands clenched.
1t was rage that shook his soul.
The manner in which he had been
cheated was maddening. To have been
deluded until this last supreme moment,
and then forsaken for the creature Rose
Pommery had chosen.
s'See here, Pommeryr' he said to the
overwhelmed banker bitterly, Grouse up,
man! | Wnt to talk to you. | came
here to be married, and / must have my
wife"
John Pommery stared athim helplessly,
with dropped jaw,
GOOD heavens. man, don't look at me
that wayl'' exclaimed Barrada, impatient
". ..You have other daughters. Let us
have wedding in spite of Rose. Will
you do it? mean it-yes. Decide quick
"; there is no time to lose.
The banker Strengthened himself, and
tried to look a little more rational.
"Which-which?" he gasped.
AT that moment a young girl, perhaps
fifteen, ran into the library.
Papa, are you i'll ?" she cried in scared
voice. fiinging her arms around his neck.
She was Lii Pommery, the youngest of
Mr. Pommery's daughters, and possessed
he least claims to beauty.
She was in white, of course, which
made her gypsy skin seem even darker by
contrast. But she had splendid big black
eyes, which turned in luminous wonder
now on Phil Barrada, as he exclaimed,
coming forward aud taking her hand in
his:
s'Iil, you are sorry for me. You like
me little, know VIII you put on the
bridal veil your sister has discarded, and
come with me and be married tomorrow?
] win never let you regret it.
Lifs very lips turned. white and stiff.
Her father put his arm around aer.
She is such child, Barrada," he said
family.
"AIi the better" Phil answered sternly,
keeping FIST hold Of the little qniveripg
hand ''She is more likely to be honest
and true Neither you nor she shall ever
regret it, if you giveher to me, sir. What
do you say, Liz"
"Papap' questioned the girl timidly,
turning her little, dark, startled face to-
wards him.
My child"
ssShall l, papa? Would you like it,"
Mr.. Pommery drew a long, anxious
breath. Such a marriage would keep |
monev matters on the ola footinnss, and to |
pay Barrada now would break him. 1t |
did not take him long to decide.
eyes" he said, sit would crafty me |
verv much, and save us all-your mother |
and sisters-from great humiliation.
"Then will, SAID Lii.
Her father went himself with her to |
her sisters and mother, and explained |
briefly.
There was not time to get excited, and |
oy the next day all was ready. and the |
ceremony was over, almost before anyone |
had discovered that the bride was Lii, in
stead of Rose.
1t was q e::ile days wonder, and then
vas succeeded by some other eccentric |
in the fashionable heavens.
< : * 4
Fur years went by.
Ii had spent them at school, Phil Bar
rada in travelling.
AGAIN. a lovely and interesting widow VINO
had long ago wished she had known when
She was well off, and married rich man
while she could get him.
She was entirely dependent on her
father. and not too welcome in his house.
she almost hated lii, Ia her envy OF her.
as she was mistress Of Barrada's splendid
home.
best that no regrets should follow that
hasty and seemingly ill-iudged marriage.
ne was the master of large means, and
he had helped Mr.. Pommery layshly,
while he had poured out gifts on Lii, and
STAYED abroad purposely to leave her un-
They had corresponded freely and con
stantly, and seemed, neither of them, to
have repented.
He was coming home now; was expect
ed daily, hourly almost.
"shall certainly be with you BY the
tenth, he wrote Lii, "and bring with me
a marriage gift for my wife-something
worthy princess's acceptance.
Barrada's main income was derived
from a mining enterprise called the Grand
Golden Mining Company" in which he
-r,,s a lorra cha ah older