The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-01-26
ppEts fra amsde gebs gra et 9tt n sims @sneaip 81


other, or that she was marrying himself.
sa her fhoughlless Dung friend had hinti
ed, for money! But then cathe the
words of the grave, tall girl With the dark
eyes, to soothe and resssure him. Yes,
be would believe Alice true and noble, as
be had hitherto thought her, he said to
himself. even though at that moment he
wss conscious of ,he pang OF doubt
which would Intfhde itself despite his
resolve,
Up at the little Graves homestead. jus,
on the BORDERS OF the village The bridal
party was assembled@Alice and her six
bridesmaids.
The sun had set, already the village
church was lighted and the people were
vending their way thither, eager 10 gel
possession of the most adyantsseoea
places for Witnessing the ceremony i
Alice, attired in complete travelling
costume, was in her o. wn room. At her
rtqnest she bad been left alone until the
carrisge should arrive to convey her to
church. She looked about the cozy little
room which had been her own, at the
little ornamentsl articles in which she
had taken 30 much pleasure in furnish.
ing it, and through the open side door
into the garden.
This last was favori,e haunt of hers
At the end Of the walk leading from bel
door was a vine covered arbor, where
she had spent manv quiet and happy
hour with ber books or work. Why
should she not take last look at this
spot snd of the flowers which she bad
trained over and around 1t 1t was GU,
OF sight of the road and of the bel
part of the house, 90 no one could sec
her.
Slowly and pensively she strolled dowr
tbs walk-paused for m 3ment unde
the arbor; then, approaching little gate
which here opened upon green lane
she stood looking across the field to wart
the woodlands.
The sound of swiftly approaching
wheels aroused her. It wss Joe Curtis
in bis gig, driving rapidly down ib'
lane.
Before A ice had time to turn away b.
drew up suddenly opposite the gate OF
which she leaned.
81 don't know that ought to intrud,
upon you at such time, Alice" be said
"hut ] have just seen old Aunt Peggy
Barnet and she vas speaking of you
Do you know that, as passed her cab
in,the old soul was standing in her door
way watching for yon."
"Watching for me ?" Alice repeated.
eyes. She saiS she knew YOU would
not 60 away without bidding her good
by, as she might never again see YOU"
A papg OF remorse shot through tn,
girls heart.
How was it that she had been 80 PIE
occupied with her own affairs as to hav,
forgotten old Peggy BARNETT the goot
and kindly soul whom all the young REQ
Pile called aunt, and with whom Alice hat
heon since her baby hyhood a special favor
| lite.
"Oh, If only had time!" abe said re
morsefully. IL feel as though coult
never forgive myself for being so for
getful of the dear old woman. and sh
watching for and expecting me. Joe,
she added, looking mp hastily, "do 20,
think you could drive me there and bacl
in your gig7 1t would not take ten min
utes, and IL have an hour before me,
she added.
IF You choose, Alice," be answered
little hesitatingly.
mo one will see me. / shall be hacl
before l am missed," she said in her US
ual impulsive way.
And the next moment she was seated
in the gig by the side Of her old friend
and former lover, speeding down th,
lane toward Peggy Barnet's cottage.
At The church every seat was filed ant
an impatient crowd awaited the BRIDE
arrival.
1t was already past the appointed
hour. Two messengers bad been dispatch
ed to inquire into the cause Of the de
Law. and In the vestrv. room the groom
and his attendants awaited the expect e,
summons.
Suddenly the vestry door opened ant
one of the deacons of the church enter
ed with face in which i'll news was 81
palpably written that Gilbert Warne
started to bis feet.
"What is it ?" be said quickly. "Wha
has happened ?"
And then be heard what every one il
the church and village was already re
peating 80 each other.
Alice Graves and Joe Curtis hsve rul
away together. They we're seen drivin,
at break.neck speed down the Mill Rua.
in the direction Of the station-to cato
the north.bound train, no doubt.
Warner heard the news in silence bu
with white face and set lips.
"You will follow them, of course,
some one said.
BIT be answered coldly:
"Certainlv not. She has chosen an,
| have no wish to interfere"
And be added bitterly to himself:
"This was why she wished to be mar
ried in travelling dress"
And when, some two hours thereafter
the southern. bound train went shriekin!
past the nearest station, 1t bore ava,
among its passengers,n mot happy bride
groom, but stern and disappointe,
man.
Time went on it's way with the chan
ges which time always brings.
Five, ten, fifteen years passed, and th
village where Alice Graves had lived hat
prospered and WAS fast growing into
little town with brighter prospects ahead
The little Graves homestead no longe
stood alone in the midst of its gardel
and fruit trees, but was encroacbed upol
ny newly-built houses. and board nail
ed on the old front porch informed II,
public that the place vas "For Sale."
One autumn evening tall, grave, mid
die aged gentleman stslked slowly up tn
street, with bis eyes thoughtiullv wan
dering over the faded old house and it
neglected grounds.
| D.,.;.- 49,. L.,