Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-08
That Affair Next Door

] was happy to sec commanded fine view of
the chanCel.
At last the church was full and the hush
which usually precedes tho coming OF the bride
was settling over the whole assembage, when
suddenly observed in the person of a respecta-
BILE looking gentleman seated in side pew the
form and features of Mr. Gryce the detective
This was a shock to me, yet what was there
in his presence there to alarm me? Might not
Miss Aithorpe have accorded him the pleasure
out of pure goodness of her hearth did not
look at anybody else, however, after once my
eyes fell upon him. but continued to watch his
expression, which was on-committal, though a
little anxious for engaged in a purely social
function.
The entrance OF the clergyman and the sud
den peal of the organ in the well-known wedding
march recalled my attention to the occasion IT
self, and at that moment the bridegroom
stepped from the vestry to await his bride at
the altar, l was absorbed by his fine appear
ance and the air of mingled pride and happi-
ness with which he watched the stately APP
proach of the bridal procession
But suddenly there was a stir through the
whole glItterlng assemblage, and the clergy
man made move and the bridegroom gave a
start, and the sound slight as 1t was, OF NOV
ing feet grew still, and I saw advancing from
the door the opposite side of the altar n
second bride, clad In white and surrounded by
long veil which completely hid her face A
second bride! and the first was halfway up
tho aisle, and only one bridegroom stood ready,
Advancing toward the chancel. she took her
place on the spot reserved for Miss Althorpe
Silence had filled the church UP to this mo-
mont. but Mt this audacious move a solitary cry
Of mingled establishment and despair went up
behind us; but before any of us could turn and
while my own heart stood still for thought l
recognized this yelled figure. the woman at the
altar raised her hand and pointed toward the
bridegroom
why does he hesltate?" she cried Does he
not recognize the only woman with whom he
dare face God and man at the altar? Because l
am already his welded wife, and have been SO
for five long years. does that make my wearing
this Veil aniss when he, a husband unreleased
by the law, dares enter this sacred place with
the hope and expectation Of a bridegroom"
II was Ruth Oliver who spoke. l recognized
her voice as | had recognized her apparel but
the emotions aroused in me by her presence and
the almost incredible claims she advanced were
lost in the horror inspired by the man she thus
vehementy accused
Yet he tried to speak
1T Is falsel" he cried: "all falsel The woman
! once called wife is dead"
Dead, John Randolph? Murderer." she ex-
claimed. The blow struck in the dark found
another victim'" And, pulling the veil from
her face Ruth Oliver advanced TO his side and
laid her trembling hand with firm and decisive
movement on his arm.
Was IT her words, her touch. or the sound OF
the clock striking in the great tower over
our heads, which so totally overwhelmed him?
At the last stroke of the hour which was TO
have seen him united with Miss Althorpe died
out in the awed spaces above him, he gave a
cry such as am sure never resounded between