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

] saying sOitnnly:
81 will cSrlain At II o'clock thil
morning | died, aftcr "a short and snl
den attack Of collie. and gave the bote
proprietor my word of honor that IN,
body should be removed this afternoon
You see. therefore, that if were TO alb
sent myself any longer it would be yer,
awkward. With these words be dis
appeared, leaving the old father over
whelmed with amazemcnt.
When the rest Of the family heard
what had been said they decided that
the youth was joking.
He has humor," said Uncle Dorival.
II shall congratulate him the next time
see him. He viii 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 s 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 awav
for burial in the afternoon. This news
was received with unbounded astonish-
ment, and little Sylvia burst into tears
as she declared that she would wear
mourning as if she were a widow.
ut was his ghost that came here, A"
said the girls mother in a tone of awe.
but Uncle Dorival shrugged his shoul-
ders.
do ghosts eat and drink as he did?o
he asked THAT fellow was merely
some young scapegrace who wanted to
play trick on us and get a good meal
at the same time" Nevertheless the
ghost story went the round OF the serv-
ants hall, and the foohnen boasted Of
having seen a spirit in broad daylight.
The tale spread until it became sub
ject 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 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.
"Alas" she sighed, ''if he were but
here to stroll with me along these path
ways!"
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
knelt 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 voice
which betokened mingled joy and dread
she cried:
"Then you are not deadl"
'No indeed, sweetheart" " he answered
softly; II am alive, and | 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.
"Did not tell you he had the bearing
of a noblemanl" she cried.
"All's well that ends well, and baron
is as good as a grocer" said Uncle Dori-
val.-Translsted from the French by
Isabel Smithson for Romance.