The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-02-01
For the Last Time.
BY JUDITH SPENCER

For the last time," Godfrey said
to himself. as with varying emotions
he stepped into the phaeton and seat
ed 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.
IAN ready, Alice" he said lightly,
30 Alice fiicked the pony with her
whip and they were on their way.
1t was glorious summer morning
and Godfrey and Alice apparently en-
5oyed the drive-even though the con-
ditfons now were irrevocably changed.
Yesterday afternoon she had met him
ut 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
--on and on-for years
Their first engagement, while he was
still in college and she just out OK
school, was broken by Alice In fit OF
childish jealousy because he had gone
on a picnic and hail had good time
with the other girls, though she had
been Unexpectedly kept at home. But
after a few weeks interval and 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 Godfrey unreal
Bonably declared that she must marry
him now or never. Alice returned her
ring.
But the summer did not prove as
pleasant as she had anticipated, and
she was honestly glad to see Godfrey
waiting on the dock when the vessel
reached It's New York pier. He had a
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-
fore the present time, and since then
Godfrey had had the grace to be pa
tient. to say Che least.
Indeed, he could not well be other
wise than patient, for his first bust
ness venture had not been a success,
and soon he found himself in no posi-
ton to marry.
Fortunately, the failure which had
at one time seemed inevitable had
been averted. and presently the tide
of his fortune turned.
But when Geoffrey 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
Alice's In quite another. and that now
they were no longer as congenial as
they had been.
He was born athlete, 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.
WhN ,xDccihlv cnu1d houo foroooou
that such pretty and attractive girl
as Alice would all of a sudden have
taken such q serious turn?
Godfrey 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. 1t
bad been the subject uppermost In his
mind when he had arrived the after
noon before, and 1t had been a relief
as well as surprise TO him when Alice
had frankly preached the subject.
They talked 1t all over together then,
reasonably discussing their varying
tastes. their chances for future I'M
happiness. and in conclusion had
calmly agreed that 4: 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
added with q sudden anxious pucker-
Ing of her brows. that this decision
is final. Our engagement has been of
and on SO many times that even the
possibility of another change would
te to introduce an element of humor,
to which seriously object. We have
carefully considered everything now,
and have arrived at this decision--for
the last time" And Geoffrey 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 it ''for
friendships sake" but she had posi-
lively refused.
mo. Godfrey" she said, at Is my
dearest wish that you should soon
make another and happier choice,
and 1t will be satisfaction to me to
feel that your wife--though she may
not know Of my existence-will wear
and prize this beautiful pure gem. AS
for myself" she added, you know
am not fond of jewelry, and I should
never wear it now that its significance
Is gone"
"And you, too, will soon make an
other and a happier choice, hope,
he had said to her afterwards.
But Alice had smilingly replied.
THAT is possible, though hardly prob
able. l intend to devote myself entire
ly to trying to help and to improve