The Disappointed Groom
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"But," said the young lady, "you know that fortune is fickle, more inconstant even than affection. Why not bestow upon your future wife a marriage portion! It will be yours to enjoy as though held in your own name, and should fortune fail you, you will have something saved from the wreck, to fall back upon. Besides, it will be a slight token of the sincerity of your professions of love to me." "That I will readily do," said Walter. "I'll give you the deed to this estate, to be given you at the altar on the day of your nuptials, to be celebrated at the parish church next Thanksgiving Day, two months hence;" to which she assented in tones of never-dying affection.
Now followed the busy note of preparation. Numerous journeys to the metropolis, a half score of milliners, dressmakers, hair-dressers, and assistants were found necessary to bring out a trousseau suitable for the future mistress of Redwood Hall. The coming wedding absorbed the talk of the town; and Walter thought himself fortunate in that he could now revenge himself for the slights of his former admirers, by leading the most beautiful of them all to the altar. Every body received cards of invitation, and no less than three clergymen were invited to be present, that there might be no hitch in the ceremony.
Thanksgiving Day arrived at length, and a most auspicious day it proved. The air was bland, the sun shone brightly, and nature seemed to don a holiday attire in keeping with the occasion. The church was gaily trimmed; carpets were spread from the doors to the carriage-way, and the pews were literally crammed with people clad in fashionable attire. The organ pealed forth its most joyous wedding march, and presently a flutter in the audience showed that the contracting parties had arrived. As the bride swept up the aisle, a bewilderment of feathers, lace and white satin, a murmur of admiration ran through the entire assembly. And, too, the manly bearing of Walter was such as to cause a perceptible flutter in the hearts of more than one damsel present.
As they took their places in front of the altar, and just as the highest flourish of the Wedding March was reached, Walter took a package from his pocket and gave it to the woman at his side. It was the deed of Redwood Hall, made over to Virginia Green, made to her before she was his bride, as a husband may not transfer real estate to his wife.
The last notes of the organ died away in semiquavers among the arches of the ceiling when the minister stepped forward and in solemn tones said, "Let the parties join hands," and in a moment continued, "If any one have reasonable objection to the marriage Walter Manning and Virginia Green, let him now make it known, or forever hold his peace."
A pause ensued in which the silence became oppressive. Presently a voice was heard. It was that of a young man in the rear of the audience. "I object to the bans." All eyes were turned in the direction of the speaker. "State the grounds of your objection," said the officiating clergyman with forced composure. "On the ground that the lady at the altar is already my wife," was the calm reply. And then all present knew a wrong had been done that robbed Walter Manning, in one moment, of a bride and an estate. In one hour's time, the disappointed groom had arranged his pecuniary affairs, and was on his way with the remains of his fortune to his home in the east.
The statements in the foregoing narrative are based on facts. The names only, for obvious reasons, are fictitious.
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