The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-22
'TWIXT CUP AND THE LIP


program thus far was to lead her thoughts
further away from him and back 10 that
past from which he wished To draw her
entirely; and he watched her intent face
with furtive uneasiness and perturba-
tion, conscious that he had made "a grave
mistake. Finally, as the curtain fell at
the close Of the first part, 10 DO followed
! by short interval, Neal rose with evident
relief
II see friend in.another part Of the
house To whom l wish 10 speak, if you
! will excuse me for moment" he said.
Then with forced laugh II hope they
will give Us something little more cheer
| ful in the remaining numbers of the
program. This high strung sentiment
Is rather too rarifled f9r actual every day
experience.
lie turned away without waiting for
an answer; and Rennie was sitting with
her head bowed. and her eyes full OF
! tears when a step sounded near her and
| a voiGe-vibrating with earnest pathos,
sincerity and orief-said;
MAY / sit here and talk with you for a
! few moments. may l. Miss Rennie Law
| renCey' and lifting her head with u
sudden start. she looked into the frank
! but troubled face of Roscoe Farnham.
Where was doubt mistrust. suspicion
| now!
Gone, before the whispcrings of that
| truer voice, whose accents no heart could
lnlsluko or GISItllcNt-lUGb NOlCe tntU
babe him welcome To her side.
II thought you had gone To Europe,
she faltered, scarcely Knowing what she
said. MIR. Neal, then she stopped
abruptly.
Mr.. Neal told you so, supplemented
Roscoe with involuntary bitterness
Perhaps il may prove To be not tho first
misrepresentation for which am indebted
to MIR Neal. Then with quick move
ment drawing a letter from his pocket:
Tell Inc, Rennio what does this mean:
Did this indeed come from you? It seems
impossible, and yet the writing is yours. "
Mechanically Rennie took the letter he
offered.
A glance at the address brought an ex-
preston of astonishment to her face.
Then taking out the enclosed sheet she
read ii To the end
THE writing is not mine, " she said,
trembling violently. sit is u clever Tor
gerry, | admit; but never saw this letter
before. / did write you or that date. but
| did not direct it to that address, for |
did not know you were out Of the city,"
Thank heavenl' calculated Roscoe
fervently; then more earnestly: "Rcnnie,
IL is currently reported that you are On
gagged 10 William Neal. But IA / looked
at you both tonight from where | sat, |
read admiration and triumph in Meals
face, but neither love nor interest in
yours and in spite Of all that has passed.
my heart gave "a sudden hound of renewed
hope and courage. SO when Neal left you
just now / resolved To avail myself of the
first opportunity / had round To approach
you since the receipt of that cruel letter |
am convinced that there has bcen some
terrible wrong-some shameful treachery.
Toll me. did you see Neal tho day this
letter was writtenY
For answer Rennie related briefly as
possible what she knew of the whole mat
ter.
Meal knew that / was called away
from the rity by a telegram that very
evening" said Roscoe He accom- panied
me to the cars, and received message
from me for you, with the promise to
write in day or two i expecting TO be
absout for about three weeks He evil
IDENTIFY thought that would give him time
for his sinister work; and having heard
you make tho declaration that you would
send IA letter and let me witness for
myself, he doubtless contrived, by bribing
the servant, or in some other way To OBJ
tain posse ssion Of the letter and initiated
your handwriting in preparing this one
very clever forgery
- During the period you were absent, |
wrote twice, begging you to explain that
strange letter. Those letters were re-
turned unopened--see, here they are--we
can guess now by whom, Never
mind darling he added quickly, as he
saw her turn deadly pale, ut Is all right
now | hope l Will furnish your father
any credentials he may require in refer
once to my business and social standing;
as for Mr.. Neal, his character is pretty
thoroughly established. But see. they are
preparing TO 20 Oh with the entertain
ment.
II will just add that would have
beon on the ocean tonight hut for an
accident TO the mach inery Of the vessel;
aud having nothing better To do, l con-
! Cludcd to attend this concert, which
proved, after all, the very best thing |
could have done. My sailing will be de-
layed for week, and a great deal can bo
done in that time. Tomorrow will call
upon your father and invite him TO au-
company us-you md l. Rennie-when
we do go OH our wedding tour. May II"
One glad, grateful, joyous look an
swered him, and as he pressed her hand
at parting,a step at his side announced the
return of William Neal
A dark frown overspread Meals face as
thcir eyes met. but with quie. bow Ros-
| coe Farnham passed him ana returned to
| his seat.
Take me home, plensc were Rennie's
| first words to her escort; II feel unable To
remain any longer.
Without comment, Neal obeyed.
The carriage was called and n short
| time later Rennio was at her own house
Coed -iight" she said, quietly with
out offering her hand; and thu next mo-
ment William Neal was standing outside
the door alone, ia "a very bcwildored frame
of r1ind, ana inwardly cursing the impru-
denco that permitted him To leave her for
n single moment unguarded in n public
place.
just what mischief had been done lie
could not determine; there was no help
| Tor ~ but TO wait nnd see
Ills enlightenment came very soon in
! the form OF hrief note from Rennie. in.
! forming him that their acquaintance was
at AN end absolutely and forever
Roscoe farnham called next day, had n
| long interview with Mr. Lawrence and "a
! longer one with his daughter at tbs CLOSE
of which Rennie whispered as he kissed
| her for bricf good bye
Let us forgive him, Roscoe. for hc did
us one good turn, In prevailing upon
me TO GO TO that concert II | had ro-
mained at home as | wanted to, YOU
would have left the city without an op.
portunity for an explanation. and we
should have missed our life's happiness
| forever Fl"
There's many slip twixt the cup
| md tho lin ~ lnnuhaH Il,cano ttp,,,