Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-12-16
md give me your opinion Of this pigeon

|A.H x
shock Of his companions sudden deatb
had unnerved him somewhat, and so, for
the time being, be yielded to the force
OF circumstances.
Come what will" he said to himself,
cannot bear to put damper upon
the Joy OF these good people at least.
not until they have had their breakfast A"
tie Joined therefore in the general mer.
riDent, smiled sweetly upon blushing
Sylvia, the bride-elect, and replied nm.
h's'tatlngly to his supposed future father
in-law's inquiries.
i''ltow is your Aunt Armande. nv
son q asked the old man suddenly. II
remember her as charming young
wonan /; when | was twenty, / came
near falling in love with her We must
keep in her good graces, for she will
leave a snug little fortune to her
nephew"
Dear Aunt exclaimed tho youth
in tone Of deep affection, 81 hope she
will enjoy life for many, many years
longer" and his pious wish was re-
warded with tender glance from Syl-
Was dark eyes. Aunt Dolarice also
listened to him with delight.
He has the instincts, as woll a. the
bearing, of a born gentleman, she whis-
pered TO her brother. "Who would think
that his ancestors had always sold cin-
namon and nutmegs ~
Uncle Dorival, who read cyclopedias
and was thought very learned, retorted
quickly.
"And why should he not have as fine
sentiments as nobleman ? Away with
your absurd notions, sister Ali mon
are equal J"
The clock struck two, and Saint Andre
suddenly felt pang of remorsc for the
part he was playing, as he recollccted
that he had to arrange for his friends
burial aud would be expected at the
hotel. He therefore rose from the table,
and announcing that no had important
business to attend to, prepared to leave.
Ills host protested in vain, Sylvia looked
up IN blank amazement, 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 solcmnly:
81 will explain. At eleven o'clock
this morning | died, after short and
sudden attack of collie, and | gave the
hotel proprietor my word Of honor that
my body should be removed this after.
noon. You see, therefore, that il were
to absent myself any longer, il would be
very awkward" With these words, he
disappeared, 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.
Gle has humor," said Uncle Borival.
81 shall congratulate him the next time
| sec him. He will be here 10 time for
supper"
But supper-tiwe came and passed, and
there was no sign Of the son-in-law
The family became anxious and alarmed,
ind toward 8 o'clock they sent a messen-
ger to the hotel to inquire for the passen-
ger who had arrived there, by coach,
that morning The proprietor sent back
word that tho gentleman named had
died at o'clock Of collie, and that the
body had been taken away for burial in
the afternoon. This news was received
with unbounded astonishment, aud little
Sylvia burst into tears as she declared
that she would wear mourning as If she
were widow.
1T was his ghost that came here"
said the girls mother in u tone of
awe, bat Uncle Dorival shrugged his
shoulders.
"Do ghosts cat and drink as he did p
he asked. That fellow was merely
some young scapegrace, who wanted to
play a trick on US. and get good meal
ut the same time" Nevertheless, the
ghost story went the round of the ser
wants hall, aud the footmen boosted of
having seen spirit 10 broad daylight.
The tale spread, until il 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 tho aflianced husband whom she had
seen but once.
Two weeks later, she was wandering
about the garden one evening, listening
sadly to tho songs Of the nightingales.
The stars were shining brilliantly, but
the sight Of their beauty only served to
increase her sorrow.
"Alas !" she sighed, "if he were but
here 10 stroll with me along these path
ways !"
AS she spoke, cracking Of boughs
near her made her start with terror, and
in an other instant a man broke through
the Towering shrubs and kneIt ut her
feet. The stars were shining 10 some
purpose then, for by their light she
recognized tho face for which she was
longing. aud, in voice which betoken-
ed mingled joy and dread. she cried:
Then you are not dead p
''No indeed, sweetheart" bo answered
softly, 81 am alive aud hope TO live
and love you for many long day yet"
When the two young people entered
the drawing.room, the family we're play
ing backgammon. A look of amaze
ment greeted tho appearance of Saint
Andre, and every one being dumfound-
cd, tho young baron had no difficulty in
telling his story, which no con,lu led
by asking for Sylvia's hand
The marriage took place as soon as
the proper period OF mourning had
elapsed, and Aunt Dolaricc was tri-
umphant.
"Did | not tell you he had the bear
ing Of nobleman :" she cried.
"AlPs well that ends we'll, AMI
baron is as good as a grocer" said
Uncle Dorival.
Mrs. Slimson--"Willie, since you
have been playing with that little Raw.
son boy your clothes don't last half 50