The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-09-03
A GHOSTLY BRIDAL.

The stagecoach which ran between
Paris and Marseilles had Just reached
Grenoble, when the young Baron de
Saint Andre climbed mp to the front
seat.
Here he found good looking fellow
OF his own age, and straightway the
two became great friends, At the end
of an hour they began exchanging con
idences 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 ances-
tors 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 heiress.
the daughter of an old friend of his
father.
"It is an even thing" 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 Il 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 a 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"
Il do not complain" said tho bride
groom elect, "and now l am going to
sleep, if this miserably, iolting concern
will allow me. am expected to break
fast at my future father-in-laws as soon
as | reach Paris, and as shall then be
presented to my betrothed / 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 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 were summoned, a physi-
clan was brought in and the latter de-
clared that the patient was suffering
from acute colic, 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 50 it proved,
for, in spite Of every care, the YOUTH ex-
tpired 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 a bright future
and now snatched away without warn
ingi 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 exclaiIning joyfully;
Monsieur, here is your son-in-law at
lastn
"Dear fellow" cried 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, but
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.n
He pulled the young man into the
breakfast room as he spoke, and with
out pausing an instant added, "My wife,
Uncle DoIival, Aunt Dolarice, here is
the son-in-law at last Sylvia, my child,
bid him welcomer-
Il beg pardon, sir, cried Saint Andre,
but again his host interrupted him.
Don't tell me that you wish to draw
back al the last moment, my dear fel-
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-inlaw
and give me your opinion Of this pigeon
bisque."
The visitor was young and very hun,
CRY, having tasted since midnight. The
shock Of ms companions sudden death
had unneryed him somewhat, and SO foi
the time being he yielded to the force OF
circumstances.
Come what will, he said to himself
II cannot bear to put a dampener upor
the joy Of these good pie; at leasi
not until they have had their break
fast"
He joined therefore in the genera
} merriment, smiled sweetly upon blush
3 ing Sylvia, the bride-elect, and replied
z unhesitatingly to his supposed futur
father-in-law inquiries.
Glow is your Aunt Armande, m
sonY asked the old man suddenly,
3 remember her as a charming young w
e man; when was twenty / came nea
D falling in love with her! We must kee
4 her in good graces, for she will leave
I snug little fortune TO her nephew"
I "Dear aunti' exclaimed the youth
S tone of deep affection; = hope 81
will enjoy life for many, many yeal
Z longer" and his pious wish was rewart
ed with tender glance from Sylvia
/, dark eyes. Aunt Dolarice also listene
3 to him with delight.
& He has the instincts rs well as Il
r bearing Of born gentleman she whi
I pered TO her brother. "Who woul
Q think that his ancestors had always sol
cinnamon and nutmegs"
Uncle Doriyal, who read cyclopedil
and was thought very learned, retort,
d quickly;
J "And why should he not have as iI
u sentiments as uoblemau7 Away wit
~ your absurd notions, sisterl All ms
= are equalw
a The clock struck g, and Saint And.
suddenly felt pang Of remorse for q
Z, part he was playing, as he recollectg
d that he had 20 arrange for his friend
i burial and would be expected al Il
= hotel He therefore rose from the tabl
and announcing that he had importa
q business 70 attend 10, prepared 10 leav
y His host protested In vain Sylvia look
h up in blank amazement and every Of
u enilentad him 20 remain.
q Il 90 not undersiand, began the o
b man, following bis visitor % the fro
door. Iaegopng man interrupted hil