The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1886-02-26
THE MISSING BRIDE.

II 1sUyehe Ptctbs
THE MISSING BRIDE.
BUnited to Her Lover After Fifteen
Years of Pain.
\ It was Alice Graves wedding eve,
and the young people, with whom she
twas 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-
Horned. 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.
ssHe's better match for her than Joe
ECurtis," said lively girl, rising and
shaking from her dress The stray leaves
that clung to it. ssNot as good looking,
#perhaps, but he's rich and Alice can
#have all she wants if her husbands is gen
#erous enough to give it to her. I've
often heard her say she would like to
Ehave plenty of money, and for my part
# don't blame her. One can be SO much
happier with money!'
They did not know that their talk had
been overheard by a tall, dark gentle
man who stood just inside the vestry
Edoor; and that their careless words had
caused sharp pang of doubt and
Eealousy in heart which an hour be-
bore had been brimming with the hap
Epiness of a loving and trusting bride.
Egroom.
Up to the little Graves homestead,
6ust ON the borders of the village, the
&bridal party was ssembled-Alice and
Eher six bridesmaids. Alice, arrayed in
Ecomplete travelling costume, was in hel
Gown room. At her request she had beer
left alone until the carriage should ar.
&rive to convey her to the church. She
Hooked about the cozy little room, which
had been her own, at the little orna
Emental articles in which she had taker
so much pleasure in furnishing it, and
through the open side door into the gar
den. Slowly and pensiyely she strollec
&down the walk-paused for moment
Eunder the arbor; then, approaching thu
Elittle gate which here opened upon {
kgreen lane, she stood looking across the
Fields toward the woodlands. The sount
Hof swiftly approaching wheels aroused
#her 1t was Joe Curtis in his gig, driv
Eing rapidly down the lane. Before
EAlice could turn away he drew up sud
#denly opposite the gate on which she
Hleaned.
81 don't know that ought to intrud,
Eupon you at such time, Alice" HI
Esaid, ''but / have just seen old Aun
PEGGY Barnett, and she was speaking o.
lyon. Do you know that as passed hel
&cabin the old soul was standing in tht
&door watching for your
"Watching for men' Alice repeated
"Yes. She said she knew you woult
mot go away without bidding her good
Nbye, as she might never again sci
Eyou."
A pang of remorse shot through th,
Egirl's heart.
n How was it that she had been preoc
#cupied with her own affairs so as to hav,
8forgotten old Peggy Barnett, the gooc
land kindly soul whom the young folk
called aunt, and with whom Alice hat
been since her babyhood a specia
favorite.
"Oh, if only had tinie!" she said
remorsefully. 81 feel as though coult
never forgive myself for being so forget
ful of the dear old woman, as she wa
watching for and expecting me. Joe, ;
she added, looking up hastily, ''do 20,
think you could drive me there and bacl
in your gigp 1t would not take ten
minutes, and II have an hour befor
me,N she added, with blush.
II "If you choose. Alice, he answered
a little hesitatingly
mo one will see me; I shall be bacl
before I am missed" she said, in he
usual impulsive way.
At the church every seat was filled
and an impatient crowd awaited tn
brides arrival. 1t was already past tn
appointed hour. Two messengers ha,
been dispatched to inquire into the caus
of the delay, and in the vestryroom tn
groom and his attendants awaited tn
expected summons. Suddenly the yes
Try door opened and one of the deacon
OF the church entered, with face ii
which ill news was SO palpably writer
that Gilbert Warner started to his feet
'What is itp'' he said quickly
"What has happened?"
And then he heard what every one il
the village church was already repeat
ng to each other. Alice Graves am
Joe Curtis have run away together
They were seen driving at breaknecl
Epeed down the mill road in the direc
aon of the station-to catch thenorth
pound train, no doubt.
Warner heard the news in silefce, bu
wlth white face and set lips. AMI when
ONE two hours thereafter, the soathern
'ound train went shrieking past til
e.xx 4