I spent some time earlier analyzing and notating that code (only to have it all erased when I mistakenly did a search in that tab), and couldn't find anything that should have been affected by the sort order number entered in admin.

One thing that has occurred to me is that it should be possible to get a two-column layout from the stock file just by using CSS.
Code:
/*eliminate hard break between attributes*/
.wrapperAttribsOptions+br.clearBoth {display: none;}/*allow floated attributes to sit side by side if desired*/
.wrapperAttribsOptions {float: left; width: 48%;}/*float attributes and make them half the available width*/
This basic code should make the attributes sit two to a row. Some supplemental rules may well be needed to make the attribute group play well with its surroundings.

The attributes will all need to be set to the same height so there is no snagging in the float.