Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-11-10
BROWNS MARRIAGE.

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bent ON him to spend. that he had to do
something. As he had neither wit nor
industry enough ia take 10 trade or
sport. he took to falling 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 fas-
cinating employment on ten years or so
and wasted a fortune on bonbons and
opera boxes, diamonds and lap dogs,
lawn parties and midnight banqucts,
according to the social and moral quail
ties of his impartial inamoratas, his
friend Robinson suggested it was about
time he got married. Brown had IA
great regard for Robinson for several
reasons. One was that they belonged
TO the same club, and perhaps still more
because Robinson owed him money.
Robinson had the tastes of a prince and
the income OF n parasite. Browns
ready good nature and plethoric bank
account represented all of this income
but u couple of thousand dollars a year.
the rent of q house IN eccentric old
aunt had left her pet nephew in trust.
for fear he would squandcr the PRINCIPAL
if il was given TO him. Robinson had
reason to bless the foresight of his ven
cradle bencfactor after he finished his
share of Robinson seniors estate. IL
provided him, at any rate, with club
dues and pocket money, and chance
and ready wit supplied the rcst-that is
TO say, they supplied him with Brown,
and for ten years Brown fulfilled the
rcst Of the contract.
80 YOU think | ought TO get married.
eh?' said Brown.
You ought" returned Robinson. de-
c"isively; tits too bad. You're ~frittcr-
inc yourself away like a raw member,
and I'll swear there are grey hairs III
' your mustache."
well" said Brown. perhaps you're
right. But who is she?"
Didn't you meet my sister when YOU
were ut Naples last wintcr?' demanded
Robinson.
''Oh!" retortcd his friend. "She--"
'She's the best and pureSt girl alive"
cried Robinson, with sudden animation,
dealing the table a blow with his open
palm.
"ANcll, whothc deuce said she wasn't?'
asked Brown. calmly. Il was going to
say she wouldn't have me-"
"My dear boy" said Robinson, draw
ing his chair closer. and patting his
knee in friendly confidence, you're
wrong"
mo" said Brown incrcdulouslv.
81 tell You YES insisted Robinson.
'Thc poor girl adorcs you. She has
written to mt u dozen times. and made
me promise never to give it away TO
you. | am breaking my word, but
can't help it. Friendship, dear boy
hobby" said Brown. getting up,
'you're a good follow. Thank you. Iii
think of it,
They went out together. AS they
parted at the first corner Robinson,
having some special business and Brown
an engagement at the stage door of the
Casino. the former borrowed Il spare
fifty from his friend. While Brown was
bowling uptown in a hanson Robin
son was in the Office OF the Commercial
Cable company writing the following
dispatch, which he paid for out of the
clean, crisp note which had not grown
warm in his hand:
Miss Louise Robinson, Hotel RdgOsSy
Paris, France: Come home ut once.
Brown and wedding bells arc ready.
FRED.
IT was grey morning when Brown's
cat-footed valet pulled his masters boots
of. Invested in his night-robe Brown
dismissed his attendant. His head was
hot and the bed looked warm. He
opened the window and looked into the
mist. Then he closed it and lighted q
cigar from a stand on the mantcl, went
TO his desk, and from one of its com
partmcnts produced a little account
book in q cover of aromatic leather.
This book was headed, page for page:
i. Robinson, DR.. L. Robinson, Or.
The pages under ''F. Robinson, Dr.
were full of dates and figures. Those
under #. Robinson, Cr.." were blank,
For half an hour Brown totted up
column after column of figures, pulling
his cigar calmly and with rs impassivC
Il face us if he had been counting grains
of sand instead of gold.
Cad ne said, when he had made 9
total. lies too greedy"
And lie closed his book, threw his
cigar and the baiance-shcet into the
CRATE, rinscd his mouth out, and wcn;
10 bed.
Three weeks later 'Amcriquc steamed
up tlp tdiDoI. iio UEoJ shore NlSlL0r1
TO board her at her pier were Brown and
Robinson. The greeting between Rob
inson and his sister WAS charmingly
bender. Miss Robinson's reception of
Brown WAS delightfully."- gentle and con-
tidlng. Miss Robinson might have been
a few years younger, but she could not
have been more innocent and truStful
if she had tried. Happy rs she was to
meet her old acquaintance, for whose
sake the devouring worm had ever since
been preying upon her check, she in
sisted on Dear Fred putting her in the
coach. Brown, whose gallantry was
natural, however vicious indulgence
had rendered it, performed that Office
for her maid. 1t was raining and he
insisted on the maids sharing the coach
with them. His valet remained to bat
lie with the tide-waiters.
Fo" the next month nothing was
talked about in Il certain set but the ap-
proaching union of Brown and the Rob
inSons. 1t was II splendid match for
them was the universal verdict. Brown
was n millionaire. Miss Robinson had
about enough a year to pay hor board
abroad and dress her dccently, and