The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-01-20
A GHOSTLY BRIDAL.

Here he found good-looking fellow
II his own age, and straightway the two
became great friends. At the end of an
Pour they began exchanging condolences
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 an
cestors had done before him the other,
who was the son of 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.
1t is an even thing, cried the young
Baron laughingly. "A mere money
matter for each of us. The little god
Cupid has no more concern in your
business than mine T.
There you mistake" returned the
ether IL have never seen Sylvia, but
L fell in love with her, once and for
ever, the first time l laid eyes upon her
portrait. Judge for yourself"
He opened u 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
cut for you"
Il do not complain" said the bride
groom-elect, Z" and now l am going to
sleep if this miserable, jolting concern
will allow me. am expected to break
fast at my future father-in- laws as soon
as L reach Paris, and AS l shall then be
presented to my betrothed 1 want to
look rs well rs possible"
At the end of three days and two
nights the heavy stage coach numbered
into the metropolis and the two travel.
ers went to the nearest hotel and en-
gagged two rooms, intending to take
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-
cian was brought in and the latter de-
olared that the patient was suffering
from acute colic, which had probably
been contracted before he left homo
and had been aggravated by the ia.
tigue of the journey. He pronounced
the malady a very serious one, and SO
it proved, for, in spite of every care,
the youth expired 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
bright future and now snatched away
without warning 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 man.
sion the front door flew open and two
footmen in livery came to meet him.
One relieved him of his satchel, the
other took his hat and cloak and voice
was heard exclaiming joyfully;
Monsieur here is your own son-in
law at last T.
Dear fellow !" cried little fat,
white-hairod man, rushing into the hall,
" let me embrace you, 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 -
81 pardon you for being late, inter
rupted the other. Look, it is -
o'clock, and breakfast is growing cold.
Come in and see my daughter The lit
tie puss has been watching the clock
for hours, and is all impatient to meet
you.
He pulled the young man into the
breakfast room as he spoke, and with
out pausing an instant, added MY
wife, Uncle Dorival, Aunt Dolarice,
here is the son-in-law at last Sylvia,
my y'child, bid him welcome -
Il beg pardon, sir" cried Saint
Andre, but again his host interrupted
him.
Don't tell me that you wish to draw
back at the last moment, my dear fell
low =? Everything has been arranged by
my esteemed friend, your father but if
you have any objection to urge will
hear it later; bad news can always
keep. Now let us sit down to break.
fast at once and be merry. Sit by me,
son-in-law, and give me your opinion
of this pigeon bisque.
The visitor was young and very hun
CRY, having tasted since midnight. The
shock OF his companions sudden death
had unnerved him somewhat, and so for
the time being he yielded to the force
Of circumstances.
Come what will, he said to himself
d" l can not bear to put dampener upon
the Joy of these good people; at least
not until they have had their break
fast"
He joined, therefore in the general
merriment, smiled sweetly on the blush
ing Sylvia, the bride-elect, and replied
unhesitatingly to his supposed father-in-