The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-07-27
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 q good looking fellow
OF his own age, and straightway the
two became great friends. At the end
of an hour they began exchanging con-
fidences after the manner of youth.
The scion Of noble stock was on his
way to Paris, TO buy an officers brevet,
80 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 pur-
pose, however, Of marrying an heiress,
the daughter Of an old friend of his
father.
at is an even thingr cried the young
baron laughingly. "A mere money mat
ter for each of us. The little god Cupid
has no more concern in your business
than In Miner
There you mistake" returned the
other. 81 have never seen Sylvia, but
fell IN love with her, once and forever,
the first time 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, land now / am going 10
sleep, if this miserably, jolting concern
will allow me. l am expected to break
fast at my future father-in-law's as soon
as l reach Paris, and as shall then be
presented to my betrothed 1 want to
look as we'll 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 a
little rest. Saint Andre had just thrown
himself upon the bed when he heard
deep groans in the next room, and ON
rushing in found his late companion
rolling on the floor in agonies of pain.
The servants We're summoned, a 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, aud 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 feJlowt So young, SO
gay, looking forward to bright future
and now snatched away without warn
mgl What would the fair b1ide-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 of, carrying with him the
dead youths satchel.
When he reached the stately mansion
the front door few 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 fellowi" cried little, fat.
white haired man, rushing into the hall,
'tlet 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
81 pardon you for being late,n inter
rupted the other, Look, it is IL o'clock,
and breakfast is growing cold. Come
in and see my daughter. The little pnss
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 weicomer-
81 bog pardon, sir," cried Saint Andre,
hut again his host interrupted him.
Don't tell me that you wish to draw
back at the last moment, my dear fell
lowl Everything has been arranged by
my esteemed friend, your father, but If
you have any objection to urge l will
hear it later; bad news 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.p
The visitor was young and very hum
CRY, having tasted since midnight. The
shock of his companions sudden death
had unnerYed him somewhat, and SO for
the time being he yielded to the force of
circumstances.
Come what will j" he said to himself,
II cannot bear to put dampener upon
the joy of these good people; ut least
not until they have had their break
fast"
He joined therefore in the general
merriment, smiled sweetly upon i
ing Sylvia, the bride-elect, and replied
to his supposed future
inquiries.
"How Is your Aunt Ar1nande, my
sonf' asked the old man suddenly. 81
her as q charming young wo-
man; when / was twenty l came near
falling in love with herl We must keep
her in good graces, for she will leave
snug little fortune TO her nephew"
Dear aunt" exclaimed the youth in
a t9ne of deep affection; 81 hope she
will enjoy life for many, many years
longer" and his pious wish was reward
cd with a tender glance from Sylvia's
dark eyes. Aunt Dolarice also listened
to him with delight.
HE has the instincts as well as the
bearing of a 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