The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-01-02
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once, No., rs aud ~ Tourtssnth Street,
THE MISSING BRIDE.

It was Alice Graves wedding eve, and
the young people, with whom abe was a
iavorits, were busted in putting the last
finishing touches to the floral decoEa-
tons Of the village church in which the
ceremony was 10 DO performed,
AZ with the def and busy fingers they
disposed the tfelhly gathered roses here
and there among the evergreen gRrlRndS,
their tongues moved as busily, and thsy
talked In groupa Of tWos and thfeeB about
the bride anu the groom, and various
matters connected with the wedding.
Some were disappointed that there was
% be no wedding party, but only sober
ceremony In the church, with the bride at
tired in Q travelling suit. What satisfRC-
ton could there be in being bride II
there were no bridal dress or veil or we'd
ding gaityP
The groom, Mr.. Gilbert Warner, had
proposed to give supper and a reception
ct the hotel, but Alice had seemed strange
ly set.upon her own plan oil leaving i'm.
mediately alter the ceremony for her tu.
tuEe 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 sweetheRrt the bride OF another,
while others were Of the opinion that AL.
Ices treatment Of him had estranged the
love he had once felt for her,
"sho certainly did treat him shame.
tulV said one OF the group which was
standing close to the Yestry door. eve
all remember the attention he paid her,
and how she seemed to encouraged it, No
one doubted 1t would be o match and for
my part, felt awiully sorry for Joe when
she came back from the South engaged to
this stranger, Mr.. Warner.
He's better match for her than Joe
Curtis" said lively girl, rising and
shaking from her dress the stray leaves
that chung to 1t. "NOt as good looking
perhaps, but he's rich, and Alice can
have all she wants II her husband ia gen.
erous enough to give 1t to her, I've
often heard her ssyshe would like to have
plenty Of money; and for my part don't
blame her. One can bsso much happier
with money!
~ don't believe that Alice Is marrying
for money" said tall, dsrk.eyed girl,
with some indignation In her tone. ~
have observed her, and am certain that
she Is more in love with Mr.. Warner than
ever she was with Joe Curtis. l don't
think she ever cared for Joe except as q
friend, though she might have thought 80.
| tell you, girls, one never knows when
one is really in love until the right one
comes."
Then there was Bcmo moro light chatter,
and the gay group, having completed anu
admired their work, left the church and
dispersed to their homes to prepare for
being present at the wedding ceremony.
They did not know that their talk had
been overheard by a tall, dark gentleman
who stood Just inside the Vestry door and
that their careless words had planted u
sharp pang OF doubt and Jealousy In a
heart which an hour before had been
Drumming with the happiness OF loving
and trusting bridegroom.
Mr.. Warner and his "best man" had
come quietly 10 the church, ut the request
Of the clergyman, In order to 20 through
slight rehearsal necessary to the perfect
carrying. out Of the proposed ceremony.
The clergyman had not arrived, and
while waiting for him and the departure
Of the ladies who Wero experimenting the
decorations, Warner had approached the
vestry door, which stood little open, and
overheard the whole OF the conversation
OIL tho other aldo.
It was shock and revelation to him.
Was II possible, he thought, that he had
been deceived In tho fair gill, in whose
love no had so implicitly trusted? Was 1t
true that she had ever loved another, or
that she was marrying himself, az her
thoughtlesB young friend had limited, for
money! but then came the words OF the
grave, tall girl with The dark eyep, to
sOothe and reassure him. Yes, he would
believe Alice true and noble, as he had
hitherto thought her, he said 10 himself,
though even at the moment he was con.
sCious Of the paDg Of doubt, which would
intrude itself despite his resolve.
Up at the little Graves homestead, Just
on the borders Of the village the bridal
party was sssembled-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 get
possession Of the most advantageous
places for witnessing the ceremony.
Alice, attired in complete travelling cos.
tune, was In her own room. AT her re-
quest she had been left alone until the
carriage should arrive 10 convey her to
the ChulCh. She looked about the coy
little room, which had been her own, at
the little ornamental articles, in which
she had taken so much pleasure In fur.
nishing 1t, and through the open side door
into the garden.
This last was favorite haunt Of hers.
At the end Of the walk leading from her
door was o vine covered arbor, where she
bad spent many quiet and happy hour
with her books or work. Why should
she not take last look OF this spot, and
Of the flowers which she had trained over
and around it2 II was out Of sight Of the
road and Of the other part Of the house,
30 no one could see her.
/ Slowly and pensively she strolled down
the wslk-paused for moment under
the arbor then, approaching the little
gate which here opened upon q green
lane, she stood looking across the fields
toward the woodlands.
The sound OF Bwiitly.approaching
wheels aroused her. II was Joe Curtis,
In his zig, driving rapidly down the lane.
Before Alice had time 10 turn away, be
drew up suddenly opposite the gate on
on which she leaned.
~ don't know that ! ounht to intrude
upon you OF such time, Alice" he said
"but have Just seen old Aunt Peggy Bar.
net, and she was speaking Of you. Do you
know that, as l passed her cabin, the old
soul was standing In her doorway watch.
ing for you"
"WatchiDs for the ~ Alice repeated.
Eyes. She said she knew you would
not 60 way without bidding her good.by,
as shemight never again see YOU"
A panR Of temorse shot through tho
girls heart. :
How was Il that she had been 60 preoc.
Cupied with her own affairs as 10 have for.
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