The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-22


"And that other is'-exclaimed the
young man. almost involuntarily, and
without removing his intent gaze from
the girls beautiful face.
A vivid flush suffused Rennie's fair
checks for a moments then her lips parted
in "a frank, happy laugh.
II do not mind telling you, Mr.. Ncal,
since you will know so soon. am en-
gagged to Roscoe Farnham.
For tho first time Meals eyes dropped
away from hers; but the look that flashed
through them during that brief interval
was as quickly veiled as he said, III tones
whose slightly tremulous accent seemed
quite natural under the circumstances
Accept my sincere congratulations,
Miss Lawrence!
Then with pressure OF the hand he
was gone.
Once outside OF the house, however, the
mask fell from his countenance
$50" he hissed between his set teeth.
Roscoe Farnham, the only rival feared,
has supplanted me. But lot him beware !
His apparent success in no way weakens
the force of my determination To win
Rennie Lawrence for my wife He has a
pledge, but he has not yet the lady; and
the old adage holds good that there $
many slip 'twixt cup and lip. what
luck has won, craft may despoil him OF. y
But no threatening OF the secretly
vowed revenge was apparent for a time
The young men met each other on APP
parently the most friendly terms, and
Neal promised to be best man at the
prospective ceremony.
Calling upon Mr. Lawrence one even
ing, Neal desired a private interview, at
the close of which Rennie was summoned
20 the library
"Aly child" said her father, with
manifest excitement, 'you have bestowed
your affections upon a man devoid OF honor
or principle Tell her. Neal. p"
''Spare me, Mr. Lawrence, " said Neal,
verting his face. 'You tell her. i will
sslst you If necessary.
Between them the story was told.
Now Neal, in consequence of alleged
suspicions had been investigating MIR
Farnham's antecendents and had learned
that his love affairs in various places were
quite notorious.
That just prior to his engagement to
Rennie, he had cruelty broken previous
betrothal. and finally that his employers
were even then investigating grave
charges against him, which were likely
to lead to his dismissal from the firm
Now, my daughter, F" said MIR. Law
renee, in conclusion, will you wait To be
publicly involved in this mans inevita-
Bile disgrace. or will you act the part Of
wisdom by dismissing him at oncoy'
Rennie had listened without word or
sign, but now she raised her beautiful
head proudly.
II will do this, " she answered quietly.
Il will send him letter by James tins
very night and by his own answer will
Judge him. III he Is indeed dishonorable
and unworthy, no letter that he can
can hide IL or disguise it from me!
nd xyIth0ut nnOtlpr word she left the
room.
Twenty minutes later William Neal
took his leave, walking few PAGES away
from the house, then returning, concealed
himself at convenient point and waited.
Presently servant man emerged from
the lower part of Mr.. Lawrence's house,
followed by . rosy checked cham bermaid.
1T Is too bad sending you all the way
down there tonight, the girl was saw
ing. "You could have dropped IL in the
post box just as we'll.
Miss ReDnie says it s to 20 straight TO
his lodgings, and II you had seen the look
on her face you would know she meant
long for haven't got to wait for an an
swer.
He moved reluctantly of. notwithstand-
ing, and in another moment Neal touched
him on the shoulder.
lis that you, Jamesf' he called cheer.
fully. Ibid hear you say you had let
ter to take TO Mr.. Farnham's lodgingsg
/ am going that way and I'll carry IL If
you say so. and spare you the walk-and
leave you that much longer time tor
courting!" he added significantly.
Much Obliged to you, sir, replied
Jaiues
Aud resigning his trust with alacrity no
quickly retraced his steps to the house.
knowing well that he ran no risk of be.
travail Nom his inamnrifa
For two days Rennie waited for an an
swer to her letter.
On the afternoon of the third day her
father, coming home earlier than usual,
found hor in IL swoon upon the floor.
My advice Is to take her somewhere "
said Neal, who had called in opportunely.
If you have relatives anywhere in this
country, take her among them and remain
with her until she RECEIVERS in measure
from this sad blow. -
"But my house here-how can I mnn.
ago about that in the Teant:mey" MIR.
Lawrence asked IN "A state OF complete
bewilGerment.
"Yoa need not shut IL up With your
permission l will occupy "A room here. 50
that can receive whatever mail matter
comes during your absence, Neal an
swered readily.
lhe arrangement was concluded and
the following day Mr.. Lawrence and his
uaugnter departed from tne city, lOaN ing
Neal I'm possession of the house.
OF the letters that came he forwarded
NIL but two. which, after having hccn care
fully steamed open and pcrused with evil
dent satisfaction, were scaled up, enclosed
IN other envelopes and returned to tho
sender.
At Meals urgent suggestion Mr. Law
rence's absence was prolonged from three
months To five by which time he felt they
could be safely recalled-he having learned
that Farnham was preparing for busi-
moss triu to Europe, expecting to he absent
two years.
That will do, y he CALCULATED. Long
before he returns Rennio Lawrence will be
nv wife -
When the heartbrokcn girl returned
Neal wns the first to meet her, ana he
came her very shadow, Offering no word
either of coincidence or love, but render.
ing the thousand little attentions which
sooner or later win their way. For "a
while he used his influence To keen her
from society. for tho purpose of avoiding
any chance meeting with Farnham. who
was still IN the city; but Mt last he de.
oded upon attending concert at which
some celebrities were to appear having
been Informed that the ship on which
kuA t.L. "A