Fifty pairs of eyes watched Louisiana Rainsburgh creep slowly down the aisle of the church. Resplendent in an ivory gown, Louisiana clutched a bouquet of periwinkle flowers in her shaking hands. A small tear rolled down her cheek as she approached the altar where her husband-to-be, Ben Allen, stood.
With trepidation, the beautiful bride tiptoed up the steps and stood face-to-face with the man she was to wed. She barely heard the minister drone the 'dearly beloved' speech and the vows passed in a blur. Finally, the moment had arrived. "If anyone here thinks these two should not be wed, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
"I object!" came a strong voice. The congregation looked around wildly before realizing that the objection had emanated from the bride's own mouth! "I will not marry this man! He is a thief and a liar!"
The crowd gasped in shock at this turn of events. All eyes turned accusingly to Ben Allen. "A thief?" echoed Ben. "Louisiana, please explain!"
"I shouldn't have to," Louisiana scoffed coldly. "You should know perfectly well that you stole my priceless diamond necklace. That was a deathbed gift from my grandmother, you heartless cur! Where did you hide it?"
"I've stolen nothing!" Ben protested desperately, but it was too late; mob mentality had taken over the congregation.
"Hang 'im!" "Drown 'im!" "Search 'is house!" "Tar n' feathers!" the bloodthirsty crowd began to shout. But before vigilante justice could ensue, Ben Allen vanished into the twilight.
Although their victim had escaped, the mob instead turned to finding the stolen property. They stormed out of the church in mass exodus to demolish the thief's home.
Louisiana sadly watched as her former lover's house was ransacked in the mad search for the necklace. Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped itself around Louisiana's throat and dragged her away from the scene. Louisiana struggled mightily, but to no avail.
"I should kill you," the mysterious assailant hissed. "But that would be too kind." Louisiana gasped in horror as she recognized the voice of Ben Allen! "You know in your heart of hearts that I'm innocent. I want you to live with that knowledge the rest of your days." He spun Louisiana around and kissed her passionately. She offered no resistance. "I still love you and always will," Ben sighed before relinquishing his hold on her and sprinting off into the night.
That was the last that Louisiana saw of her true love. In shame, her family married her off to a family friend named Charles Briggs. She died soon afterwards, some say of a broken heart. But her restless spirit continued to roam the earth, striving for a way to be reunited with her one true love…