The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1907-09-06
THE GHOSTLY
BRIDEGROOM
BY JAMES ALLEN.

was to be at four O'Clock.
Il have been unexpectedly de-
tained," he had telegraphed from Mil
waukee at noon. But life or death,
will be there in time"
If the 1926 was on time, and he
came on that train, we would barely
have time to reach the church at the
stroke Of four. He would be com.
PEELED to appear, dusty and travel
stained, before his bride and her
friends. Perhaps he would come in a
special. | could only wait and hope.
Life or death, | will be there in
time" be had said. and Wantman
never lied.
| went into the telephone booth and
called up the house "Wantman has
been detained, but he says he will be
for the last train"
What shall we do?" demanded
Helen's father.
Il think you are safe in waiting at
the church." l said. Il don't know
what else can be done. He said he
would be here in time, and unless he
sends word to the contrary we must
depend upon him. If he is alive he
either will be here or send word"
After that l had no further message. |
l waited, waited, waited.
The train was late, of course. When
was it ever ON time when you were
waiting for it?
1t was SIS when it came, and
Wantman was not on board.
leaped into the carriage and drove
madly to the church, where l knew
the bridal party would be waiting.
Poor Helen
l met Beaumont at the door.
HE did not come" | cried.
20, yes, he came at the stroke of
four" said Beaumont. "You have
missed him somehow. The ceremony
must be over by this time. And say"
he drew me to one side and spoke
in whispers-"so something awful must
have happened to Wantman. He was
white as ghost and he did not speak |
nor look to right or left. 1t made me
SILVER just to see him. Look, there
they come now!"
AS the bridal party left the church
/ saw that Wantman indeed was as
white as a ghost. His eyes turned |
toward me for one fleeting moment, |
but there was no speculation in them |
They were like the wide, staring eyes
of man who just has died.
Helen chung to his arm She seemed |
terrified, but she was not weeping |
AS they disappeared in the carriage |
by some fendish mischance or else |
as the result of some hideous joke,
the organ pealed forth funeral |
march.
A shudder passed over the throng
of guests. | could hear some of the |
women weeping Historically.
With a curse that l could not |
restrain | leaped into carriage by |
Beaumont's side and we were driven |
rapidly to the house. We reached |
the door ahead of the brides carriage, |
and as the door was thrown open the |
vehicle in which the couple had rid !
den seemed to be empty.
Wantman was not there.
Helen was huddled on the floor, I'M
conscious, pitiful thing
Her father took her in his arms |
and carried her into the house.
AS we gathered at the door, silent,
aghast, the driver was swearing that |
his vehicle had not been stopped, and |
that the carriage door had not been
opened between the church and the
house
What hideous mystery was before
us? We were soon to know, for a
messenger came with telegram, and
/ opened it and read.
"Wantman was killed in a runaway
at ~ O'Clock as he drove to the sta
ton at Milwaukee"
Subsequent Investigations proved
that the message was correct.
There could be no possible doubt
or dispute of the fact. He had been
driving madly to the station in cab
there had been collision, and the
lifeless Wantman had been taken
from the wrecked vehicle. His body
had been taken in charge by the po-
ice, anu III Tie UGldy sudI was CduoSu
By identification and addresses, word
was not sent to us until half past four
o'clock.
At the time of the ceremony, when
Wantman appeared in the church be-
side his waiting bride, before scores
of people who knew him and won
dered at his spectral appearance and
1nanimate responses-at this time
Wantman was lying dead in Milwau-
kee.
1t is unbelievable myself cannot
believe it.
But these are the facts.
Wantman was killed in Milwaukee
at noon