The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-07-27
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and announcing that he had Important
business TO attend TO, prepared to leave.
His host protested In vain, Sylvia looked
mp In blank ainaxement 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 eolemnly:
81 will explain. AT II O'Clock this
morning died, after short and sud
den attack Of collie, and gave the hotel
proprietor my word Of honor that my
body should be removed this afternoon.
You see, therefore, that If I were to alb
sent myself any longer 1t would be very
awkward" With these words he dis.
appeared, leaving the old father over
whelmed with arnazement.
When the rest of the family heard
what had been said they decided that
the youth was joking.
HE has humor," said Uncle Dorival
ST shall congratulate him the next time
] see him. He will be here In time fol
supper"
But supper imescame and passed, and
there was no sign of the son-in-law. The
family became anxious and alarmed
and toward 8 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 newl
was received with unbounded astonish
ment, and little Sylvia burst into tear.
as she declared that she would veal
mourning as If she were q widow.
ut was his ghost that came here,
said the girls mother in tone Of awe
but Uncle Dorival shrugged his shoul
ders.
"Do ghosts eat and drink as he didT
he asked. "That fellow was merely
some young scapegraoe who wanted te
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 q spirit in broad daylight.
The tale spread until 1t became sub
ject of wonder in boudoirs and drawing
rooms, and the fair young widow who
had never been married wore q 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
increase her sorrow.
"Alasi' she sighed, "if he were but
here to stroll with me along these path
waysi'
AS she spoke cracking Of boughs
near her made her start with ter
ror, and in another instant man
broke through the Towering shrubs and
kuelt 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 betoleened mingled joy and dread
she cried:
"Then you are not deadi"
"Eo indeed, sweetheart" he answered
softly; II 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. and every one being dumfound-
ed the young baron had no difficulty in
telling his story, which he concluded by
asking for Sylvia's hand.
The marriage took place as soon as the
proper period of mourning had elapsed,
and Aunt Dolarice was triumphant.
'fDid I not tell you he had the bearing
of a noblelnanf" she cried.
Calls well that ends well, and baron
is as good as grocer" said Uncle Dori-
val.-Translated from the French by
Isabel Smithson for Romance.