Delta chief., 1883-09-19

his presence grew an essential sweetness
to her life, and the image of RAYMOND
Renniman, as fate oft ordains it, drop
ped out of memory.
She loved this new John Renniman
she knew that he loved her. But there
was strange reticence between them
which puzzled her on both their parts.
His love seemed ever to tremble on his
lips, but he did not speak it she knew
surely, at times, that he forced it back
And she could never bring herself to
speak to him of Little Haven, much
less to tell the tale of that other John
Renniman, which should have been all
so natural.
She was pondering its strangeness
even in his company one evening. when
a letter came from Jacques. She opened
it for mere glance at the contents,
and her eyes fell on bit of news which
made her quite forget herself. Raymond
Renniman was bankrupt by the rash
est speculations he has lost the entire
wealth which had but just accrued to
him.
He has done this - she cried aloud,
RAYMOND Renniman has done this !?
Thrown away the money which came
to him only from dead man What
- she spoke as if to herself, but
suddenly she paused remembering, and
startled by the look in her companion s
face. 1t was a look of surprise not un-
mixed with pain.
You know Raymond Renniman ?n
he broke in hastily. And you say that
he has done this folly? l." His
look changed a smile, much the smile
OF that other day crept over his counten-
ance. Il am very glad. he finished,
grasping with sudden venting passion
the hand which held the letter. $50
glad, little Renie. because this news
rids me of all perplexity, and makes all
things right between us
What did he mean ? She could only
stare at him; while he, a bit freed from
that first blissful thought that had so
.engrossed him, looked back. ah. as
tenderly. but again surprisedly. at her.
You have known all this. and YOU
never suspected me Pr he said. But
how could you? Ii is strange tale.
little Renie. A few months ago | was
in London, and decided to return home.
NY stateroom was engaged | had
but. almost at the last moment. the
freak seized me not TO go. a poor fel-
low | had long known was anxious TO
90 over. and to him | proffered the
passage. intrusting 10 him some import
ant papers and baggage, thinking to
follow at my pleasure. Ten days after
read what YOU know. The facts
moved me strangely. He had been
;.l a., a -, a
lirium, none had ever learned his name.
There was naught in his belongings by
which the truth could be traced: he
was not unlike me in appearance.
Moreover. he was a friendless man to
no one his death would matter. 1t all
flashed on me. and | was an unhappy
man, little Renie. had often wished
was dead. and resolved to leave the
matter ss il was. knew Raymond 5
troubles. and determined to let him
have my fortune and to live. where |
did not care, somewhere away from
him. drifted ont into this new coun-
try lived on-ah. the dull. dead life
till that day saw you. little Renie
Darling. the touch of your little hand
brought back something more than life
to met And have been loving YOU
loving you ever since that blessed mo-
mcnt, but with always the thought in
my heart how could come back to life,
and do what was right by Raymond.
But now Poor Raymond, am sor-
~ for him, but, ah, my way is open.
Darling darling, do you care so much
for this lost money. or can You do with
me ?''
She had listened in amazemcnt, but
his arms had closed around her, now
the tender kisses were raining on her
lips. What more for Renie Endicott
Shyly she looked mp at him.
with joy she. murmured. family.
The smile of other years beamcd again
on John Rcnnimau's face. Life had
paid the debt it owed him.
1t was a strange tale TO go back to
Little Haven.