The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1897-09-04
MIR. Neal told you So, supplement-

ed Roscoe, with involuntary bitterness.
Perhaps it may prove to be not the
first Misrepresentation for which I am
indebted to Mr.. Neal" Then, with a
quick movement. drawing a letter from
his pocket: Tell me, Rennie, what
does this mean? Did this indeed come
from you? Tt seel1s impossible, and yet
tie writing is yours"
Mechanically Rennie took the letter
he offered.
A glance at tie address brought an
expression OF astonisllment to her face.
Ihec, taking out the enclosed sheet,
she read il to the end.
The writing is not mine,'' she said,
trembling violently. 1T is d clever for
gerry, | admit, bat | never saw this let
ter before. ! did write yon on that date,
but did net direct it to that address,
for did not know yo1 were out Of the
city"
Thank h~eaven!' CALCULATED Roscoe
tervently, then more earnestly: Rem
ME, It IS currently reported that you are
engaged to William Neal, but as I looked
at you both tonight from where I sat |
read admiration and triumph III Neal
face, but neither love nor interest iii
yours. and, in spite Of all that had
passed, my heart gave a sudden bound
Ct renewed hope and courage. So,
when Neal left you Just NOW, I resolved
TO avail myself OF the first opportunity
| had found to approach you since the
receipt Ct that cruel letter. [ am con-
WINGED that there has been ora terrible
wrong, some shameful treachery. Tell
me, did you see Neal the day this letter
was written r.
For answer Rennie related briefly is
possible what she knew Of the whole
matter.
Meal knew that ] was called from
the city BY a telegram that very even
ing said Roscoe. lie accompanied
me to the cars and received a message
from me for you, with the promise to
write IL q day Or two, ! expecting to be
absent for about three weeks. He evil
IDENTIFY thought that would give him
time for his sinister work, and having
heard yoa make the declaration that
You would send il letter and let me Wit
Eess for myself, he doubtless contrived,
By hribing the servant or in some other
way, to obtain possession Of the letter
and initiated your handwriting in pre-
pairing this cne-a very clever forgery.
During the period You We're absent
! wrote twice, begging you to explain
that strange letter. Those letters were
returned unopGned-see, here they are
we can guess now By whom. Never
mind, darling" be added quickly as
he saw her turn deadly pale. 1T is all
right now, | hope. / will furnish your
father any credentials be may require
u reference to my business and social
standing. As for Mr.. Neal, his charac-
ter Is pretty thoroughly established.
But, see; they are preparing to 90 On
with the entertainment.
II will just add that I would have
been on the ocean tonight but for all ac-
cldent to the machinery Of the vessel,
and having nothing better to do | con
clnded to attend this concert, which
proved, after all, the very best thing I
could have done. My sailing will be
delayed for a week, and a great deal j
can be done in that time. Tomorrow I
will call upon your father and invite
him to accompany us-yoE and |, Rem
nle-When we do go on our wedding
journey. May r"
One glad, grateful, joyous look an
sWered him, and as he pressed her hand
at parting q step at his side announced
the return Of William Neal.
A dark frown oveTspread Meals face
as their eyes met, but with a quiet bow
Rcsoce FaTnham passed him and return
ed to his seat.
Take me home, please" were Rem.
MES first words to her escort. Il feel
enable to remain any longer"
Without comment Neal obeyed.
The carriage was called, and a short
time later Rennie was at her own house.
GOOD night" she said quietly, with.
out Offering her hand, and the next mo-
ment William Neal was standing out
side the door alone, in a very bewildered
frame Of mind and inwardly cursing
the imprudence that permitted him to
leave her for a single unguard-
ed 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 a brief note from Rennie,
informing him that their acquaintance
at u end absolutely and forever.
Roscoe Farnhain called the next day,
had a long interview with Mr.. Law
renee and a longer one with his daugh-
ter, at the close of which Rennie whis-
pered as he kissed her for a brief good