The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1888-09-07
HE. MARRIAGE GIFT.

1t was Phil Barbados wcdding-day.
AID the girl he was to have married
had iilled him-gone off with another
MAJ at the last moment.
That was not all.
John Pommery, the banker, was deep
~ in debt to Barrada, and it had been
the tacit understanding that this mar
riaec was TO cancel all obligations.
Not that there had been the slightest
approach to a bargain. even in thought
Phil loved, and supposedhimself loved
again-but 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 II stranger.
Phil staggered under the blow, but
the banker seemed crushed.
He sat in his elegant library, his
hands hanging limp from tile arms OF
his chair. his fine form shrunken into
such Il piiiable heap OF shame and dis
may that few would have known him.
Barrada stood by the maniclpicce, his
handsome face white, his hands
clenchcd. 1t was rage that shook his
soul.
The manner in which he had been
tit'iiCt WIS IsIiNitllllgs IL udNc DCtli
dcluded until this last supreme moment.
and then fcrsakcn for the creature Rose
Pommery had chosen.
See here, Pommcry.' he said to the
overwhelmed banker bitterly. "Rouse
up. man! i want to talk TO vou. l came
here to be married, and | must have my
Wiie!'
John Pommcry stared at him help
lesslv, with dropped jaw.
Good heavens, man, don't look at
me that way!!n exclaimed Barrada. i'm
patiently. '.You have other daughters.
Let MS have n wedding in spite of Rose.
VIII you do it: mean it-yes. De
eide quickly; there is no time to lose
The banker Strengthened himself, and
tried TO look q little more rational.
"Which-which?' he gasped.
AT that moment Il young girl, per
haps fifteen. ran into the library.
Papa, are you ill?' she cried in a
scared voice, flinging her arms around
his neck.
She vas Lii Pommcry, the youngest
of Mr.. Pommery's daughters, and pos.
sessod the least claims to beauty.
She was in white, of course, which
hia'tS ici SiPSy M sScui oNSh utihci
by contrast. But she had splendid big
black eyes, which turned in luminou.
wonder now on Phil Barrada, as he en-,
claimed. coming forward and taking
her hand in his:
Iii, you are sorry for me. You like
me u little. | know. Will you put on
the bridal-veil your sister has discarded
and come with me and be married to
morrow? / will never let you regret it.
Lis very lips turned white and stiff.
Her father put his arm around her.
she is such a child, Barrada," b.
said family.
IAN the better" Phil answered stern
~, keeping fast hold of the little culver
Ing hand. '.She is more likely to b.
honest and true. Neither you nor sh'
shall ever regret it, if you give her Il
me, sir. What do you say, Lip
'Papa?" questioned the girl timidly
turning her little, dark, startled fac
towards him.
MY Child"
Shall l, papap Would you like it?'
MI. Pcmmery drew a long anxiou
breath. Such a marriage would kec]
money matters on the old footing, am
TO pay Burrada now would break him
1t did lot take him long to decide.
Yes" he said, lit would crafty IN
very much, and save us all-your moth
CT and sisters-froin great humiliation.
Then | will" said Lii.
Her father went himself with her t