St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-07-07

was rewarded With 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. y
she Whispered to her brother. Who
would think that his ancestors had
always sold cinnamon and nut
megs!"
Uncle Dorival, who read cvclope-
dias and was thought very learned,
retorted quickly,
"And why should he not have as
fine sentiments as nobleman /!
Away with your absurd notions sis
teri All men are equal"
| The clock struck two, and Saint
Andre suddenly felt pang of remorse
for the part he was playing, as he
recollected that he had to arrange
for his friends burial and would be
expected at the hotel He therefore
arose from the table, and announc-
ing that he had important business
to attend to, prepared to leave. His
| host protested in vain, Sylvia looked
up in blank amazement. and every
one entreated him to remain.
Il don't understand" began the
old man, following his visitor to the
front door. The young man inter
rupted him, saying solemnly:
81 will explain. At eleven o'clock
this morning l died, after short and
sudden attack of collie, and l gave
the hotel proprietor my word of hon
or that m V body should be removed
this afternoon. You see, therefore,
that if l were to absent myself any
longer, it would be very awkward"
With these words he DISAPPEARED,
leaving the old father overwhelmed
with amazement.
When the rest of the family heard
what had been said, they decided
that the youth was joking.
He has humor," said Uncle Dori-
val. 81 shall congratulate him the
next time l see him. He will be here
in time for supper"
But supper-time came and passed,
and there was no sign of the son-in-
law. The family became anxious
and alarmed, and toward eight
o'clock they sent a messenger 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 eleven o'clock of
collie, and that the body had been
taken away for burial in the after
noon. This news was received with
unbounded astonishment, and little
Sylvia burst into tears as she de-
clared she would wear mourning as
if she were a widow.
ut was his ghost that ca me here"
said the girls mother in tone of
awe, but Uncle Dorival shrugged his
shoulders.
do ghosts eat and drink as he
merely some young scapegrace, who
wanted to play trick on us, and
get good meal at the same time"
Nevertheless the ghost story went
the round of the servants'-hall, and
the footmen boasted of having seen
a spirit in broad daylight. The tale
spread, until it beca me subject of
wonder in boudoirs and drawing
rooms, and the fair young widow
who had never been married wore a
black gown and veil, and shed pas
sionate tears for the affianced hus-
band whom she had seen but once
Two weeks later, she was wander
ing about the garden one evening,
listening sadly to the songs of the
nightingales. The stars were shin
ing brilliantly, but the sight of their
beauty only served to increase her
sorrow.
ALAS she sighed, eff he were but
here to stroll with me along these
pathwaysn'
AS she spoke, cracking of boughs
near her made her start with terror,
and in another instant a man broke
through the Towering shrubs and
knelt at her feet. The stars were
shining to some purpose then, for by
their light she recognized the face for
which she had been longing, and, in
voice which betokened mingled joy
and dread, she cried,
"Then you are not dead ~
''No indeed, sweetheart" he an
swered softly, 81 am alive, and l
hope to live and love you for many
long day yet"
When the two young people en-
tered the drawing room, the family
were playing backgammon. A look
of amazement greeted the appear
ance of Saint-Andre, and every one
being dumbfounded, 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.
did not tell you he had the bear
idg of nobleman ?" she cried.
ALPS we'll that ends well, and a
baron is as good as grocer" said
Uncle Dori1al.-[ Romance for July.
BAD INSURANCE RISK
For two or three years a tall
Young man renreSentinO the Ea stern