The Arizona sentinel., 1886-02-27
THE MISSING BRIDE.
United to Her Lover After Fifteen
 Years of Pain.

Years of Pain.
 It was Alice Graves wedding eve, and the young people, with whom she was 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 a 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 better match for her than Joe Curtis," said lively girl, rising and shaking from her dress the stray leaves that clung to it. Mot as good looking, perhaps, but he's rich and Alice can have all she wants if her husbands gen. erous enough to give it to her. I've often heard her say she would like to have plenty of money, and for my part don't blame her. One can be so much happier with moneyr
 ,14l {1,o% loi,. ko1l r d 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 8 heart which an hour be- fore had been brimming with the hap piness of 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 had 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 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. It 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.
 ''I 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 mer' Alice repeated.
 ''Yes. She sad she knew you would not go away without bidding her good bye, as she might never again see you
 A pang of remorSe shot through the girls heart.
 How was it that she had been preoc- 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 favorite.
 ''Oh, if I only had timer' she said, remorsefully. ''I feel as though I could never forgive myself for being so forget ful 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? It would not take ten minutes, and IT have an hour before me- she added, with blush.
 If you choose. Alice" he answered, 8 little hesitatingly
 No one will see me; 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. It 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?"
 And then he heard what every one in the village church was already repeat ing 60 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 Dearest station, it bore away among its