The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1897-09-04
MANY 4 SLIP

Il am very sorry to have to cause you
this disappointment, Mr.. Neal. es-
teen ard thank You for your offer, but
my pledge is already given t. another"
.'And that other is exclaimed the
young man aliaost inyoluntariiy and
without removing his intent gaze from
the girls baautifal face.
A vivid blush suffused Rennie's fair
cheeks for Il moment, then her lips part
ed III a frank, happy lacah,
II do let rs:ad telling you, Mr.
Neal, since yel will know 50 . I
am engaged 10 Roscoe Farpham."
fNr lie :irzt time Meals eyes dropped
away FROM hers, tatt tho look that flashed
through them during that brief interval
was as quickly yelled as he said in
tones whose slightly tremulous accent
seemed quite natural under the circum-
stances:
Accept my sincere congratulations,
Miss Lawrence"
Then with a pressure Of the hand be
was gone.
Once outside Of the house, however,
the mask fell from his countenance.
49," he Kissed between his set
teeth, Roscoe Farnham, the only rival
feared, has supplalted me. But let him
beware. His apparent success il no n
weakens the force Of my determination
to win Rennie Lawrence for my wife.
He has a pledge, but ne has not yet the
lady, and the old adaee holds good, that
there's many a slip 'tyixt cup and lip
What luck has woa craft may despoil
him Of.
But no threatening OF the secretly
vowed revenge was apparent for a time.
The young men met each other On
apparently the most friendly terms,
and Neal had promised to be best man
at the prospective ceremony.
Calling upon Afr. Lawrence one even
ing, Neal desired a private interview,
at the close of which Rennie was sum
moned to the library.
My child" said her father, with
manifest excitement, you have be- !
slowed your affections upon a man de-
void Of honor or principle. Tell her,
Neal"
aeepare me, Mr.. lawrence said
Neal, ayerting his face. "Yoa tell her.
I will assist you, if necessary"
Between them the story was told.
How Neal, i'll consequence of alleged
suspicious, had been investigating Nj.
Farnham's anteoedents and had learned
that his love affairs in various places F.
were quite notorious.
That, Just prior to his engagement to
Rennie, he had cruelty broken a previ-
n betrothal, and finally that his EN-
ployers We're even then investigating
grave charges against him which were
likely to lead TO his dismissal from tie
firm.
Nov, my daughter, !" said Mr.. Law
renee, in conclusion, will you wait tc
be publicly involved in this mans inev-
liable disgrace, or will you act the part
of wisdom by dismissing him at oncc:''
Rennie had listened without word al
sign, but now she raised her beautiful,
head proudly.
Il will do this, she answered quiet
~. Il will send Kim a letter by James
this very night, and tg his own answer
will judge him. II he is indeed diz.
honorable and unworthy, no letter t1at
he can write, no matter how skillfullv
worded, a hide it Or disguise it from
me-"
And without another word she left
the room.
Twenty minutes later William Neal
took his leave, walked a few PAGES
away from the house, then returning.
concealed himself at a convenient point
and waited.
Presently a serving man emerged
from the lower part of Mr.. Lawrence's
house, followed by a rosy checked
chambermaid.
ut is too bad. sending Jon all the
way down there tonight" the girl was,
saying. "You could have dropped it in
the post box just as WE'LL"
miss Rennie says it's to 20 straight
10 his lodgings, and if you had seen the
look on her face You would have known
she meant il" answered James. stI'H
Be back before long. for I haven't got