The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-03
INTRODUCING MRS. GODFREY.
nY MARY U. RRAY.

HF MARY L. BRAY.
 KCopyright, 1907, by Homer Sprague)
 At the tender age of g. an enter prising mother had brought Alice be- Fore the public as Little Lord Faunt- leroy" At 1s, the girl was living in strict retirement, almost nun-like se- rlusion, because she had married the younger son of a wealthy and conserv. ntive family, who deemed it unwise for the present moment to introduce his Dharming wife to his critical family. Alice had never stood in the lime-Iight of notofiety, but the Godfreys, she Knew. were conservatives of conserva. lives. and would see only disgrace in her connection with the stage
 Naturally imaginative. she spent much of the time in the pretty apart ments which Robert Godfrey had fur uished for her picturing her reception by his family. Indeed she acted out every conceivable situation. She fam cfsd his mother severe. white-haired. straight, with piercing eyes that would look through her very soul with con- demnation, and herself with every sweet humility winning her way into the proud old heart. Little did she know that Roberts mother was the last person woman of her kind would need to fear; that his mother would Do the first to read love and purity in her eyes, the first to welcome with sin- pie dignity the girl honored by the love of her son.
 The true shadow over Alice was one which she suspected least--her sister, sn-law. It was not fear of his mother that prevented Robert from making inc mediate acknowledgment of his mar Ttage, but dread of exposing his bride ko the speeches. scorn of his brothers wife. He knew her pride in her name and descent, and that she had made tremendous efforts to interest him in a fQx tr1 gifa wmrnr rar. her requirements of wealth and family If it had been Miss Benedict, now, with whom he had eIopedi Miss Benedict. who could do anything, sing delightful 1y, wear stunning dresses, urge her horse over the highest fence in the country. swim a mile and scarcely tire, empty as many glasses of wine as her Father and never turn a hair--if 1t had been Miss Benedict, what a glad ex~ cuse Edwina would have had for fur ther elaborate and original entertain Rngi But what were all that young wo- snan's Vaccinations in comparison with Alice of the lovely eyes, of the carol ing voice, Alice, whose very existence spelled love? Every time, during the seven weeks of their married life, that Robert Godfrey had come to the deter animation that his wife must be intro- duced today. something had happened. through Edwina, to break his purpose. | This morning, at the office. as he went through his mail, the sight of an envelope addressed in A1ice's handwrit- ing made him feel a contemplate cow ard.
 aMy. dear. dear Love:
 You did not come to see me yesterk day, and know 1t was because you could not; but that did not keep me from being very, very lonely. l don't do anything all day long but sit behind the curtains and watch for youA ~f dcnr leave that big muffler the other day. You don't Intend 1t for such a piF- nose of course; but I hold it in my hands Of Afbund my neck all day long and think of you. It seems to bring you nearerss
 well. I didn't intend to write a slet- ter--only a wee, wee note. for | am perfectly certain of seeing you today am not7 Only. dearest. do you know it is seven weeks, and you haven't told anybody yet? I honestly believe that if you would take me to your Tnother--just open the door of her room, and let me in, and then run away that I oauld-teu her and make her Y0TniVe me for having won away hor beautiful son She will forgive me any s thing when tell her how I love you
 Sweetheart I have written such n long letter. Do come today. I know you will Alce.
 Robert Godfrey dropped the letter and snatched a pen. That settles it." he said: then he wrote:
 ssMv beloved little Alice:
 If you think or if anybody, thinks Ahat I am going to hide you any longer, then you and everybody else are mis- taken. I am coming out to see you to- night Couldn't come yesterday-there were doings at the house, and my ab- gence would have looked very unfilial. q say I am coming out tonight. and I want you to be ready to come wtraiRht back home with me Delaying doesn't help matters.
 Be ready at eight I have been a brute to think that the sight of you wouldn't make anybody forgive any thing.
 I can't write an the things want to you will receive it in the afternoon mall.
 Til tonight. little one Bob's
 He sealed and addressed the letter self; then with beaming face and hap py heart settled down to work for the Ray.
 Godfrey Brothers was the name oi the firm and 1t stood for square buzi- ness dealing, integrity and responsibil- tty throughout Will, the elder broth pr. had been in London for some time on business; so at the present moment the burden of management fell upon Robert. He had barely begun tho