The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-08-04
A GHOSTLY BRIDAL.

huCH JIIC yOullS DdIOH
Saint Andre climbed up to the frol
seat.
Here he found a good looking fello
Of his own age, and straightway IL
two became great friends. At the en-
of an hour they began exchanging COZ
tidences after the manner Of youth.
The scion of noble stock was on hi
way to Paris, to buy an officers brevet
so as to serve his country, as his ances
tors had done before him; the Other
who was the son Of rich tradesman
was also bound for Paris, for the pun
pose, however, of marrying an heiress
the daughter of an old friend of hi
father.
at is an even thingw cried the youn!
baron laughingly. ga mere money mat
ter for each of us. The little god Cupit
has no more concern in your business
than in mine"
"There you mistake" returned the
other. 81 have never seen Sylvia, but
fell in love with her, once and forever
the first time l laid eyes upon her por
trait Judge for yourself"
He opened tortoise shell case, and
Saint Andre exclaimed admiringly:
"What an angel! Indeed, my dear
fellow, you are very fortunate to have
that charming, dainty creature picked
out for you"
81 do not complain" said the bride
groom elect, "and now l am going to
sleep, if this miserably, jolting concern
will allow me. | am expected to break
fast at my future father-in-law's as soon
as reach Paris, and as | shall then be
presented to my betrothed l want to
look as well as possible"
AT the end of three days and two
nights the heavy stagecoach numbered
into the metropolis and the two travel
ers went to the nearest hotel and en-
gagged two rooms, intending to take u
little rest. Saint Andre had just thrown
himself upon the bed when he heard
deep groans in the next room, and on
rushing IL found his late companion
rolling on the floor in agonies of pain.
Tho servants were summoned, physi-
clan was brought in and the latter de-
clared that the patient was suffering
from acute collie, which had probably
been contracted before he left home and
had been aggravated by the fatigue of
the journey. He pronounced the mala-
'dy very serious one, and so it proved,
for, in spite of every care, the youth ex-
PRED at the end of an hour.
Saint Andre was overwhelmed by the
catastrophe, and when he found that he
could do nothing more for his friend he
stood gazing sadly at the lifeless clay
which lay on the narrow bed in the bare
hotel room. Poor fellow! So young, so
gay, looking forward to bright future
and now snatched away without warn
ing! What would the fair bride-elect
say when she heard of this tragedy?
Saint Andre dreaded the bearing of
the sad news to the family, but there
was no one else to perform the errand,
and so he set off, carrying with him the
dead youths satchel.
When he reached the stately mansion
the front door flew open and two foot
men in livery came to meet him. One
relieved him of his satchel, the other
took his hat and cloak and voice was
heard exclaiming joyfully:
Monsieur, here is your son-in-law at
lastr'
Dear fellow" cried a little, fat,
white haired man, rushing into the hall,
"let me embrace your and he clasped
the newcomer rapturously to his heart.
AS soon as he could get his breath
Saint Andre said hurriedly:
Pardon me, sir, butt
ii pardon you for being late" inter
rupted the other. Look, it is 12 o'clock,
and breakfast is growing cold. Come
in and see my daughter. The little puss
has been watching the clock for hours,
and is all impatient to meet YOU"
He pulled the young man into the
breakfast room as he spoke, and with
out pausing an instant added, my wife,
Uncle Dorival, Aunt Dolarice, here is
the son-in-law at last; Sylvia, my child,
bid him welcome"--
81 beg pardon, sir" cried Saint Andre,
but again his host interrupted him.
Don't tel me that you wish to draw
back at the last moment, my dear fell
low! Everything has been arranged by
my esteemed friend, your father, but if
you have any objection to urge l will
hear it later; badnews can always keep.
Now let us sit down to breakfast at once
and be merry. Sit by me, son-in-law,
and give me your opinion of this pigeon
bisque."
The visitor was young and very hun
cry, having tasted since midnight. The
shock of his companions sudden death
had unnerved him somewhat, and so for
the time being he yielded to the force of
circumstances.
"Come what will, he said to himself,
81 cannot bear to put dampener upon
the joy Of these good people; at least
not until they have had their break
fast"
He Joined therefore in the general
merriment, smiled sweetly upon blush
Ing Sylvia, the bride-elect, and replied