The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-24
THE MISSING BRIDE.
United to Her Lover After Fifteen
Years of Pain.

4 III was Alice GraveS wedding eve,
and the young people, with whom she
was a favorite, were busted in putting
the last finishing touches to the floral
decoration of the village church in
which the ceremony was to be per-
formed. The groom, Gilbert Warner,
had proposed to give supper and re-
ception at the hotel, but Alice had
seemed strangely set upon her own plan
of leaving Immediately after the cere-
mony for her future home away in the
South. The girls wondered whether
Joe Curtis would be at the marriage
Some thought he would shrink from the
ordeal of seeing his old sweetheart the
bride of another, while others were of
the opinion that Alice's treatment of
him had estranged the love he had once
felt for her.
He's a better match for her than Joe
Curtis" said q lively girl, rising and
shaking from her dress the stray leaves
that chung to it. "Not as good looking,
perhaps, but he's rich and Alice can
fhave all she wants if her husband is gen.
erous enough to give it to her. I've
often heard her say she would like to
d nave plentyof money, and for my part
I don't blame her. One can be SO much
happier with money!
They did not know that their talk had
been overheard by tall, dark gentle
man who stood just inside the vestry
door; and that their careless words had
caused sharp pang of doubt and
jealousy in heart which an hour be-
fore had been trimming with the hap
,piness of a loving and trusting bride
groom. .
Up to the little Graves homestead,
just on the borders of the village, the
bridal party was assembled-Alice and
her six bridesmaids. Alice, arrayed in
complete travelling costume, was in her
own room. At her request she had been
left alone until the carriage should ar
rive to convey her to the church, She
looked about the cozy little room, which
mad been her own, at the little orna-
mental articles in which she had taken
so much pleasure in furnishing it, and
through the open side door into the gar
den. Slowly and pensively she strolled
down the walk-paused for a moment
under the arbor; then, approaching the
little gate which here opened upon a
green lane, she stood looking across the
fields toward the woodlands. The sound
of swiftly approaching wheels aroused
her 1t was Joe Curtis in his gig, driv-
ing rapidly down the lane. Before
Alice could turn away he drew up sud-
denly opposite the gate on which she
leaned.
II don't know that | ought to intrude
upon you at such time, Alice" he
said, ''but I have just seen old Aunt
Peggy Barnett, and she was speaking of
You. Do you know that as passed her
cabin the old soul was standing in the
door watching for you?'
Watching for me'' Alice repeated.
Eyes She SAID she knew You would
not 90 away without bidding her good
bye, as she might never again see
You" a.l- a#.
A pang of remorse shot through the
girls heart.
How was it that she had been preoe-
cupied with her own affairs so as to have
forgotten old Peggy Barnett, the good
and kindly soul whom the young folks
called aunt, and with whom Alice had
been since her babyhood a special
fayorite. g
'.Oh. if only had timer' she said,
remorsefully. II feel as though | could
never forgive myself for being so forget
full of the dear old woman, as she was
watching for and expecting me. Joe.
she added, looking up hastily, "do you
think you could drive me there and back
in your gig? 1t would not take ten
minutes, and II have an hour before
me-" she added, with blush.
IF you choose. ALICE he answered,
little hesitatingly
NO one will see me; l shall be back
before l am missed" she said, in her
usual impulsive way.
At the church every seat was filled,
and an impatient crowd awaited the
brides arrival. 1t was already past the
appointed hour. Two messengers had
been dispatched to inquire into the cause
of the delay, and in the vestry-room the
groom and his attendants awaited the
expected summons. Suddenly the YES
try door opened and one of the deacons
of the church entered, with face in
which i'll news was so palpably written
that Gilbert Warner started to his feet
What is it?' he said quickly.
"What has happened?' y
And then he heard what every one in
che village church was already repeat
inc 10 each other. Alice Graves and
Joe Curtis have run away together.
They were seen driving at breakneck
speed down the mill road in the direc-
ton of the station---to catch the north
bound train, no doubt
Warner heard the news in silence, but
with white face and set lips. And when.
some two hours thereafter, the southern
bound train went shrieking past the
nearest station, it bore away among its