Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-09-09

kul!e. i pIeSSeu III Uebheeu IL hnSeio
close to my ear it cracked as though
we'll dried. 1t was neither too dark
nor too light. In word, it was q
cigar of The first class. threw it
back quickly into the box md closed
my eyes to escape tho temptation.
Fifteen minutes past twelve. Still
more than three quarters of an hour
to wait. l returned to the mantle,
took up The cigar (everv ore has mo-
mcnts of folly now and then) and cut
it with my teeth. 1 lighted it and,
sitting down in my armchair, COM
menced smoking. 1t was delicious.
Was the odor OF the cigar too strong,
or was it because I had LOST the habit
OF smoking? At the end of few mo-
ment my head fell back, I partly
closed my eyes aud gave myself up to
the luxury OF that sensation neighbor-
ing upon q slumber, at the paint where
thoughts cnls and dreams begin.
Suddenly I awoie by the odor Of
something scorching. L got up and
looked about the room. Nothing. l
went 10 the curtains, to the drsperie'.
Nothing. I felt my coat, my vest.
Nothing.
"Bah it was only an idea," thought
T, AMI am mistaken. J. looked at my
watch. 1t vas twenty-five minutes
past one. I grabbed my hat and my
gloves. flew down the stairs four
ct time and jumped into the carriage
that was waiting for me. The ianitor
was there standing on the door-sill.
On seeing me pass he burst out laugh
ing, and so did the coaohman. They
are laughing at me because nm late,
thought /.
"Whsn I reached my father-in-l laws
1 was up the steps in one bound an
rang the bell. As Johu, the domestic,
who opened the door. caught sight of
me he started Us though he had re-
ceived sudden shock, and said,
every one has gone, Monsieur, after
having waited for Monsieur, although
NIaaemoiselle Gcnsvie7o did not seem
satisfied. She told me to say to Mon
sieur, if Monsieur camo, that he should
go to the Mayors Office. have given
the message to Monsieur
"And the entire time he was repeat.
ing his eternal Monsieur he was try
| ing 10 repress IN irresistible dcsiro to
laugh.
"'Are you laughing atme like that,
my boy9' said I.
"Monsieur knows very well that /
would not allow myself, ID the pres.
ence OF Monsieur, and, after alI, evory
one is free, is he not, Monsieur
Monsieur must know we'll what pleases
Mademoiselle, and if Mademoiselle
likes it like that
"But had not the time to try to
understand him, ,and Struggling my
shoulders I descended the steps more
rapidly than I had gone up. all the
servants in tho yard ranged in two
rows forming lane. Although / ran
the gauntlet quickly, could, never.
theless, hear the smothered bursts Of
laughter.
"Decidedly,' growled I, st seems
that they have never seen . bride.
groom late.
81 rushed the CO.. nan AMI at q
quarter of two we were ut the Mayors
Office.
"'The room for marriages" de-
murded I OF the usher.
"'The room for marriages. he re-
Piled. 1T is not for you, perhaps9'
"tYes, it is for ME.
"'For you? Ah2 that is good Oh.
but that is richl' And he fell into o
chair, holding his sides as ho shook
with laughter. I don't know what
kept mo from boxing his ears. How
ever, was able to control myself, and
in tone that admitted Of no delay
demanded, will you, yes or no, show
me tho rnarriage.roomT
"He got up and with emphatic ges.
ture said, 10 the right, Monsieur, at
the end Of The vcstibule, md falling
back upon hla chair, continued: 'Ab,
but that Is good Oh, but it is rich 7
"I rushed to the door UNI entered.
tAt last, there ho is, criod my father
in law on seeing me.
''As advanced step or two I wes
met with q roar of laughter. Hand.
kerchiefs came ont of pockets and flew
to mouths as by magic. J heard the
'ohs, 'ahs,' 'deur me but it 10 comical,
etc. The mayor almoat strangled in
his armchair. l stood still, not know
ing what to do, and saying to myself,
'What In the world is every ono laugh
ing at?'
"GenevieYe hid her face iu her
hands. Ny monthcr-in.law, almost
smothered, was making frantic
gestures OF Indignation. Ny father
ln-law came to me and tn On air
that brooIed no contradiction said,
Monsieur, all is crdol between us.
"'3nt whnt is the mattcr2 Explain
to me, begged.
Monsieur, marriage is sacred
affair and we nre not a! carnival
"'But 1 do not understand
"'Then look in the glass;
"I went to the mantei. aud cry OF
surprise and horror escaped my lips.
The entire right side of my mus.ache
had been burned OF. l asked moth.
ing more and rushed out OF the room.
Do you understand now why do not
smoke?'
CTS that all?" we asked. "Has the
story no ending?"
"No, if has none. But ] made one.
Six months sfterward met Cenevieve.
My mustaeae had grown out again.
We explained. I was eloquent.
"And she forgave you?"
"Yes, Monsieur, sho forgave him, "
said woman, still young mud very
prepossessing, who was sitting oppo-
site me. From tie French, In Path.
finder.
Is Lightning Caused by Rain!
1t is popularly supposed that the
sudden downpour which usually fol
lows o bright fash of lightning has ir