The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-04-22
Mechanically Rennis took the letter

lace. Then taxing out the
sheet she reed it to the end.
"The writing is not mine," she
said. trembling violently. ut is a
clever forgery, / admit ; but I never
saw this letter before. l did write you
on that date, but / did not direct it to
that address, for l did not know you
were out of the city"
"Thank Heaven !" calculated Ros-
coe fervently; then, more earnestly:
''Rennie, it is William Neal. But as
l looked at you both tonight from
where l sat, l read admiration and
triumph in Meals face. but neither
love nor interest in yours; and in
spite OF all that had passed, my heart
gave a sudden bound of renewed hope
and courage. So when Neal left you
just now, 1 resolved to avail myself OF
the first opportunity I had found to
approach you since the receipt Of that
cruel letter. ] am convinced that
there has been some terrible wrong
some shameful treachery. Tell me,
did you see Neal the day this letter
was written?"
For answer Rennie related briefly
as possible what she knew ofthe whole
matter.
"Neal knew that l was called away
from the city by a telegram that very
evening"" said Roscoe. "He econ.
panied me to the cars, and received q
message from me to you, with the
promise to write in n day or two-I
expecting to be absent for about three
weeks. He evidently thought that
would give him time for his sinister
work and having heard you make
the declaration that you would send a
letter and let me witness for myself,
he doubtless contrived, by bribing the
servant, or in some other way, to OBJ.
tain possession of the letter, and Imi-
tated your handwriting in preparing
this ono-a very clever forgery.
"During the period you were alb.
sent, | wrote twice, begging you to
explain that astrange letter. Those
letters were returned unorened-see,
here they are-we can guess row by
whom. Never mind, darling ,uhe
added quickly, as he saw her noUp
deadly pale, sit is all right mr.
hope. will furnish your fatheF my
credentials he may require in refer.
ence to my business and social stand
ing; as for Mr.. Neal, his character is
pretty thoroughly established. But
see, they are preparing 70 go OF with
the entertainment.
"a will just add that I would have
been on the ocean tonight, but for an
accident to the machinery OF the
vessel and having nothing better to
do. / concluded to attend this con.
cert, which proved. after all, the very
best thing l could have done. My
sailing will DO delayed for a week, and
a great deal can be done in that time.
Tomorrow l will call upon your father
and invite him to accompany us-you
and /, Rennie-when We do go on our
Wedding journey. May II"
One glad. grateful, joyous look
answered him f; and as he pressed her
hand at parting, a step at his side
announced the return Of William
Neal.
A dark frown o%verspread Meals face
as their eyes met; but with n quiet
bow Roscoe Farnham passed him and
returned to his seat.
Take me home, please" were Rem
MES first words to her escort. 81 feel
unable to remain any longer"
Withou. comment, Neal obeyed.
The carriage was called, and n short
time later Rennie was ut her own
house.
"Good night" she said, quietly,
without Offering her hand; and the
next moment William Neal was stand
ing outside the door, alone, in u very
bewildered frame of mind, and in
wardly cursing the lmprudence that
permitted him to leave her for n single
moment un9uarded in a public place.
Just what mischief had been done he
could not determine; there was no help
for it but to wait and see.
His enlightenment came very soon
in the form of n brief note from Rem
ME, informing him that their acquaint-
ance was at an end absolutely and for.
ever.
Roscoe Farnham called the next day,
had a long interview with Mr.. Law
enc and a longer one with his daugh-
ter, at the close of which Rennie
whispered, as he kissed her for a brief
goodby:
"Let us forgive him, Roscoe. for he
did us ono good turn in prevailing up.
on me to go to that concert. II | had
remained at home, rs l wanted to,
you would have lef. the city without
an opportunity for an explanation, and
we should have missed our life's hap.
piness forever"
There's many a slip 'twixt the cup
and lip" laughed Roscoe. uncon.
scious that he was quoting the very
expression his rival had used. "But
the slip was not ours this time, darling
and SO we will forgive him."-Dublin
World.
A Costly Clock.