The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-12-04
For the Last Time.
BY JUDITH SPENCER.

he stepped into the phaeton and seat
cd himself beside the smiling girl who
was to drive him into the station for
the early morning train. And he was
simply echoing her words of the night
before.
''All ready. Alice" he said lightly.
So Alice flicked tho pony with her
whip and they were on their way.
II was a glorious summer morning
and Godfrey and Alice apparently en-
joyed the drive-even though the con-
<itions now were irrevocably changed.
Yesterday afternoon she had met him
mt the train and they had driven back
together an engaged pair. But since
then their engagement had been ended
by mutual consent, and this morning
found them merely friends.
Godfrey Maitland and Alice Wright
had known each other all their lives,
and had been engaged to one another
of and on-for years.
Their first engagement, while he was
still in college and she just out of
school, was broken by Alice in a fit Of
childish jealousy because he had gone
on a picnic and hail had a good time
with the other girls, though she had
been unexpectedly kept at home. But
after few weeks interval and a due
show of penitence on his part. she had
forgiven him and taken him back into
favor.
The next break occurred soon after
Geoffrey's graduation. His father had
set him up in business and he wanted
TO be married at once. But Alice had
set her heart upon spending the sum-
mer abroad, and when Geoffrey unrea-
Honably declared that she must marry
him now or never, Alice returned her
ring.
But the summer did not prove as
pleasant rs she had anticipated. and
she was honestly glad to see Geoffrey
waiting on the dock when the vessel
reached its New York pier. He had
big bunch of roses for her-and when
she discovered her engagement ring
tied clumsily among the stems she
laughed and blushed and slipped 1t on
again.
That had occurred three years be-
AOlC tut Pitotht llllt, anu olhtt thtii
Geotfrey had had the grace to be pa
fient, to say the least.
Indeed, he could rot we'll be other
wise than patient, for his first busi-
ness venture had not been a success,
and soon he found himself in no posi-
fion to marry
Fortunately, the failure which had
at one time seemed inevitable had
been everted. and presently the tide
of his fortune turned.
But when Godfrey was once more
IN a position to think of marriage ne
had made the startling discovery that
during all this time his tastes had
been developing in one direction and
Alices in quite another, and that now
they were no longer as congenial as
they had been.
He was q born athlete, a lover of
all outdoor sports, and just at present
golf engrossed most of his leisure time.
But Alice cared nothing for sports of
any kind. and she was so entirely
wrapped up in her Working Girls Va
cation clubs and College Settlements
and all sorts of charitable schemes
that Godfrey was bored to death in
hearing of them.
Who possibly could have foreseen
that such pretty and attractive girl
rs Alice would all OF O sudden have
taken such serious turn?
Geoffrey had thought very often
about all this lately. and sometimes
had wondered II it would not be bet
ter for them both to separate in time,
rather than to marry and go on grow
ing apart and be miserable for life. IL
bad been the subject uppermost in his
mind when he had arrived the after
noon before, and it had been a relief
as well as surprise TO him when Alice
had frankly broached the subject.
They talked 1t all over together then,
reasonably discussing their varying
tastes, their chances for future un-
happiness, and in conclusion had
calmly agreed that 1. would be better
Infinitely better-to put an end to
the engagement now. with no feeling
but one of perfect friendliness ard
good will On either side.
but we must remember" Alice had
@,stCh Wtth u duNlOuS
ing of her brows, that this decision
is final Our engagement has been off
and on SO many times that even the
possibility of another change would
lie TO introduce an element of humor,
&c which / seriously object We have
carefully considered everything now,
nnd have arrived at this decision-for
fhe last time" And Godfrey had CIV
en his assent.
The only thing he had felt really
uncomfortable about was that Alice
had Insisted upon giving back her
ring He wanted her to keep 1t ''for
1rtendnhip's sake" but she had posi-
lively refused.
mo, Godfrey" she said.. at is my
dearest wiah that you should soon
mike another and a happier choice,
and IL Will be satisfaction to me to
feel that your wife-though she may
IY<xt LmA <.F