San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-11-09

/ father-ln-laW'S inquiries.
''How is your Aunt Armande, my
son?' asked the~Ol man suddenly. 81
remember her as a charming young wo.
man; when was twenty | came neal
falling in love with her! We must keep
/ her i'll good graces, for she will leave a
snug little fortune to her nephew"
Dear aunt" exclaimed the youth in
tone of deep affection; II hope she
will enjoy life for many, many years
longer" and his pious wish was reward
ed with tender glance from Sylvias
dark eyes. Aunt Dolarice also listened
to him with delight.
"He has the instincts as well as the
bearing of born gentleman" she whis-
pered to her brother. "Who would
think that his ancestors had always sold
cinnamon and nutmegs!"
Uncle Dorival, who read cyclopedias
and was thought very learned, retorted
quickly:
'And why hould he not have as fine
sentiments as nObleman? Away with
your absurd notions, sister! All men
are equal"
The clock struck 2, and Saint Andre
suddenly felt pang of remorse for the
part he was playing, as he recollected
that he had to arrange for his friends
burial and would be expected at the
hotel. He therefore rose from the table.
and announcing that he had important
business to attend to, prepared to leave
His host protested in vain, Sylvia looked
up in blank a1nazement and every one
entreated him to remain.
81 do not understand" began the old
man, following his visitor to the front
door. The young man interrupted him,
saying solemnly:
Il will explain. At II o'clock this
morning died, after a short and sud-
den attack of collie, and l gave the hotel
proprietor my word of honor that my
body should be removed this afternoon.
You see, therefore, that if | were to alb
sent myself any longer it would be very
awkward" With these words he dis.
appeared, leaving the old father over
whelmed with amazement.
When the rest of the family heard
what had been said they decided that
the youth was joking.
He has humor," said Uncle Dorival.
II shall congratulate him the next time
see him. He will be here in time for
supper"
But supper time came and passed, and
there was no sign of the sOn-in-law. The
family became anxious and alarmed,
and toward s o'clock they sent mes
senger to the hotel to inquire for the |
passenger who had arrived there by |
coach that morning. The proprietor
sent back word that the gentleman
named had died at II o'clock of collie, |
and that the body had been taken away |
for burial in the afternoon. This news |
was received with unbOunded astonish- |
ment, and little Sylvia burst into tears
as she declared that she would wear |
mourning as if she We're a widow.
ut was his ghost that came here"
said the girls mother in tone of awe,
but Uncle Dorival shrugged his shout
ders.
''Do ghosts eat and drink as he dido" |
he asked. "That fellow was merely |
some young scapegrace who wanted to |
play trick on us and get good meal |
at the same time" Nevertheless the |
ghost story went the round of the serv-
ants hall, and the fOotmen boosted of |
having seen spirit in broad daylight |
The tale spread until it became a sub |
ject of wonder in boudOirs and drawing |
rooms, and the fair young widow who
had never been married wore black |
gown and veil and shed passionate tears
for the affianced husband whom she had |
seen but once.
Two weeks later she was wandering |
about the garden one evening, listening
sadly to the songs of the nightingales.
The stars were shining brilliantly, but
the sight Of their beauty only served to
her sorrow.
"AlasI' she sighed, "if he were but
here to stroll with me along these path
ways"
AS she spoke a cracking of boughs
near her made her start with ter
ror, and in another instant a man
broke through the Towering shrubs and
knelt at her feet. The stars were shin
ing to some purpose then, for by their
light she recognized the face for which
she had been longing, and in a voice
which betokened mingled joy and dread
she cried:
"Then you are not dead!
mo indeed, sweetheart" he answered |
softly; Il am alive, and l hope to live
and love You for many long day yet"
When the two Young people entered |
the drawing room the family were play
ing backgammon. A look of amaze
ment greeted the appearance of Saint
Andre, ant ,very one being dumfound-
ed the Young ua-on had no difficulty in |