The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-01-03

Is gone.
And you, too, will soon make an
other and a happier choice, / hope,
he had said 10 her afterwards.
But Alice had smillngly replied
THAT is possible, though hardly prob
able. intend to devote myself entire
ly to trying to help and to improve
the condition OF these poor, ignorant
working girls who interest me so deep
ly. That is TO be my life work, and
| shall hardly find time or inclination
to think of anything else"
And now the moment for their part
ing had come. The train was at the
station, and Godfrey, who had been
standing by the phaeton chatting with
Alice, extended his hand and said
'GOodby.' And as his eyes met hers
so friendly, but unembarrassed-he
suddenly added almost mechanically,
For the last time"
"No, don't say that" Alice said has
tily. My friends are always well
come, Run down any time-if you
can stand the chance of seeing half a
dozen working girls enjoying their va
cation, for l expect to keep the house
full of them all summer"
A word of thanks as he lifted his hat.
then he jumped aboard the already
moving train and soon settled him
self for the hours ride back to town.
Godfrey had been in his office less
than an hour when the door burst
open and Dick Williams, who lived IN
the little town from which Godfrey
had just come, came hurrying in. He
was evidently very much excited
Say, old man, you haven't heard
anything yet, have your" Williams
questioned breathlessly.
"Anything-about what" Godfrey
asked calmly. oh you poor fellow,
l see you haven't How shall tell
you. Maitland, old man, you must
brace up and prepare yourself for-the
worst"
Hang 1t all, what are you driving
at?" asked Godfrey.
Il have just come in from Elmcourt,"
Williams said significantly
Have your" said Godfrey pleasant
ly. so have I-only l took the $40
train"
you did? I hadn't heard of that
though l remember now they did say
she had driven some one over to the
station and was on her way home It
must have happened almost directly
afterwards"
"She?" cried Godfrey, now beginning
to feel a strange alarm. What has
happened? Tell me quick"
THE very worst; prepare yourself,
my dear fellow. 1t was over instantly
she was killed"
''Who"' gasped Godfrey in strange
choked voice, grasping at the frail
straw of some possible mistake.
Your own Miss Wright" said Will
liams pityingly Il knew you'd be
dreadfully cut up, you were so fond
of one another and had been engaged
so long"
The little ring in Geoffrey's breast
pocket seemed suddenly to pierce him
like knife. Oh, that it had never lief!
her hand.
What happened?" he asked again
hoarsely.
"She was driving home, they toll
me, and on the road she was overtaker
by one of those Internal locomobiles
Her horse took fright and bolted, she
was thrown out-neck broken-picket
up-dead"
Godfrey sprang up and the express
sion on his face made the other mar
suddenly fear that he was going mad
He stood staring blankly at the Office
, clock.
IF you want to go out there on thu
noon train I'll arrange to go with you,
Williams said kindly.
I'm goin-on the 1885"
But my dear fellow, you can't pos
! sibly-you've only seven minutes"
He ended abruptly when he fount
himself talking to the empty air, 70
Godfrey had seized his hat and wa
gone.
Out into the crowded street rushe,
! Godfrey, and never in old college day
when he was in training did he run a
, he ran now. Broadway was at it
worst-a confusion of rapidly movin
, ears, carts and carriages-but Geoffre
: stopped for none Of them. He dashe
under the heads Of horses and ran be
! tween cable cars, escaping so narrow
ly that the gripman yelled at him i
. a sudden chill, but he plunged on an
gained the opposite side unscathed.
> Some one humorously raised the cri
stop thief" but no one attempted t
fnllnu and nnna could have canght @