The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-03-31
back before long, for I haven't got to

He moved reluctantly orr, notWlth- standing; and in another moment Neal touched him on the shoulder.
 "ls that you, James," he called, cheer fly. Did hear you say you had let ter to take to MT. Farnham's lodging? am going that way and I'll cary it if you say so, and spare you the walk and leave you that much longer time for courting!" he added, significantly
 Much obliged to you, sir" replied James.
 And, resigning his trust with alacrity he quickly retraced his steps to the house, knowing well that he ran no risk of betrayed from his pretty inamorita.
 For two days Rennie waited for an answer to her letter.
 On the afternoon of the third day her father coming home earlier than usual, found her in sWoon upon the floor.
 My advice Is to take her some where" said Neal. who had called in opportunely. If you have relatives any where in the country, take her among them and remain with her until she re- covers in a measure from this sad blow"
 But my house here-how can I man. age about that in the meantime?" MT. Lawrence asked, in state of complete bewilderment
 You need not shut it up. With your permission I will occupy a room here, so that can receive and forward what ever mail matter ccmes during your ab- sence D Neal answered readily.
 The arrangement was concluded, and the following day Mir. Lawrence and his daughter departed from the city leaving Neal possession of the home. Of the letters that came he forwarded all but two, which, after having been carefully steamed open ard perused with evident satisfaction, were sealed up, enclosed in other envelopes and re- turned to the sender.
 At Neaps urgent suggestion, MT Law rences, 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 a business trip to Europe, expecting , to be absent two years.
 That will do," he calculated. Long before he returns Rennie Lawrence will be my wife"
 | When the heart broken girl returned | Neal was the first to meet her, and be- | came her very shadow, offering no | words either of condolence to love, but rendering the thousand little attentions l which sooner or later win their way. For while he used his influence to keep her from society, for the purpose of avoiding any chance meeting with | Farnham, who was still in the city but at last he decided upon attending con- cert at which some celebrities were to appear, having been informed that the | ship on which Roscoe had taken pass age would sail early in the afternoon l It required considerable importuning on his part to induce Rennie to accept his escort or indulge in any recreation | of the kind; but she yielded at last, and Neal felt that he had scored his second move in the game he was playing
 For while she sat besidehim, listle ss- l ly indifferent alike to the concert and his occasional whispered remarks: Neal was searching Rennies fair face with an expression of triumphant admiration | overcast, nevertheless. with a shade of anxiety while the girl wore an absent minded far-away look, tinged with hope less melancholy
 But after while some of the music seemed to arouse her attention and in terest, and she listened breathlessly to the song in which the singer a tenor of rare power and sweetness, was throw ing all the strength of artistic skill and appreciation, bringing out it's subtle sentiment with power and pathos that I stirred the tenderest emotions of her heart.
 l And not less deeply concerned, but in widely different sense, was William | Neal He saw that then whole tend- ency of the programme thus far was to lead her thoughts further away from | him and back to that past from which he wished to draw her entirely and he l watched her intent face a furtive un- easiness and perturbation, conscious that he had made grave mistake Finally, as the curtain fell at the close of the first part, to be followed by a short interval, Neal rose with evident relief.
 q see friend in another part of the house to whom I wish to speak, if you will excuse me for moment" he said Then with a forced laugh: T hope they will give us something little more cheerful in the remaining numbers oi the programme This high strung sentiment Is rather too rarified fol actual every day experience"
 He turned away without waiting fol an answer; and Rennie was sitting witf her head bowed, and her eyes full O. tears, when step sounded near her and voice vibrating with earnest pathos, sincerity and grief-said:
 May I sit here and talk with yol for few moments? may I, Miss Rennit Lawrence?" and lifting her head with z sudden start, she looked into the franl but troubled face of Roscoe Farnham.
 Where was doubt, mistrust, suspicion now?
 Gone, before the whisperings of tha
 truer voice, whose accents no hear could mistake or disbelieve-that voic, that bade him welcome to her side.
 q thought you had gone to Europe, she faltererd scarcely knowing wha she said 'eMr. Neal!"-then she stopped abruptly.
 ''Mr. Neal told you SC" supplemented Roscoe, with involuntary bitterness Perhaps it may prove to be not thr first misrepresentation for which an indebted to MT. Neal!" Then, with ; quick movement drawing a letter iron
 his pocket; Tell me, Rennie, wha | rN.1