Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-10-03
A GhOstly Bridal.

The stagecoach which ran between
Paris and Marseilles had just reached
Grenoble, when the young Baron de
Saint Andre climbed up to the front
seat.
Here he found good looking fellow
of his own age, and straightway the
two became good friends. At the end
of an hour they began exchanging
condolences after the manner of youth.
The scion of noble stock was on his
way to Paris, to buy an officers brevet,
so as to serve his country, as his an
cestors had done before him; the other
who was the son of a rich tradesman
was also bound for Paris, for the pur-
pose, however, of marrying an heir
ess, the daughter of an old friend of
his father.
E'It is an even thing!" cried the
young baron laughingly. ga mere
money matter for each of US. The
little God Cupid has no more concern
in your business than in mine!"
eeThere you mistake" returned the
other. '@I have never seen Sylvia,
but 1 fell in love with her, once and
forever, the first time laid my eyes
upon her portrait. Judge for your
seIf''
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"
E'I do not complain" said the bride
groom elect, "and now am going to
sleep, if this miserable, jolting con-
Germ will allow me. I am expected to
breakfast at my future father in laws
as soon as I reach Paris, and l shall
then be presented to my betrothed
and I want to look as well as possible"
At the end of three days and two
nights the heavy stagecoach lumber
ed into the metropolis and the two
travellers went to the nearest hotel
and engaged two rooms, intending
to take little rest. Saint Andre had
just thrown himself upon the bed when
he heard deep groans in the next
room, and on rushing in he found his
late companion rolling on the floor in
agonies of pain. The servants were
summoned, a physician was brought
IN and the latter declared that the pa
tent was suffering from acute collie,
which had probably been contracted
before he left home and had been ag-
gravated by the fatigue OF the jour
ney. He pronounced the malady
very serious one, and SO it proved,
for, in spite uf every care, the youth
expired 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
Hfeless clay which lay on the narrow
bed in the bare hotel room. Poor fell
IOwl So young, SO gay, looking for
ward to a bright future and now
sEatched away without warning!
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 man
sion the front door flew open and two
fOotmen in livery came to meet him.
One relieved him Of his satchel, the
other took his hat and cloak and a
voice was heard exclaiming joyfully:
Monsieur, here is your soninlaw
at last!''
&'Dear fellow!'' cried a little, fat,
white haired man, rushing into the
hail, ''let me embrace your" and he
cIasped the newcomer rapturously to
his heart.
AS soon as ne could get his breath
Saint Andre said hurridly:
''Pardon me, sir, butt
sEI pardon you for being late,'' in
terrupted the other. ''Look, it is II |
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 Dorvial, Aunt Dolarice,
here is the son-in-law at last; Sylvia
my child, bid him Welcomed
tfI beg pardon, SIR" cried Saint An
DIRE, but again his host interrupted
him.
(iDon't tell me that you wish to
draw back at the last moment, my
dear fellow! Everything has been ar
ranged by my esteemed friend, your