The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-02

truer voice, whose accents no Nheart
could mistake or disbeieve-that voice
that bade him welcome to her side.
Il thought you had gone to Europe"
she faltered, scarcely knowing what
she said. Mr. Ncar-then she stopped
abruptly.
MIR. Neal told you So" supplemented
Roscoe, with involuntary bitterness.
Perhaps it may prove to be not the
first Misrepresentation for which 1 am
indebted to Mr.. Neal" Then, with
quick movement drawing a letter from
his pocket: Tell me, Rennie, what
does this mean? Did this indeed come
from you? 1t seems impossible, and
yet the writing is yours"
Mechanically Rennie took the letter
he offered.
"A glance at the address brought an
expression of astonishment to her face.
Then taking out the enclosed sheet she
| read 1t to the end.
THE writing is not mine" she said,
trembling violently. "It is a clever
forgery, | admit; but I never saw this
! letter before. | did write you on that
date, but did not direct it to that ad-
dress, for ] did not know you were
| out of the city"
THANK Heaven!" calculated Roscoe
! fervently; then more earnestly: Rem
| ME, it is currently reported that you
are engaged to william Neal But as 1
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 has passed, my heart gave a sud.
dor i I.
! age. SO when Neal left you just now,
l resolved to avail myself of the first
| opportunity l had found to approach
| you since the receipt of that cruel let
| ter. am convinced that there has been
some terrible wrOng-somc shameful
| treachery Tell me- did you see Neal
the day this letter was written?"
For answer Rcnnie related briefly as
| possible what she knew of the whole
| matter.
Neal knew that l was called away
from the city by telegram that very
| evening" said RosCCe. He accom-
panied me to the cars and received
a message from me for you, with the
promise to write in a day or two--I ex-
| pecting to be absent for about three
| weeks. lie thought that would give
him time for his sinister work. and
having heard you make the declaration
that you would send letter and let me
| witness for myself, he doubtless con-
trived, by brbing the servant, or in
some other way, to obtain possession of
the letter, and initiated your hand
writing in preparing this one-a very
clever forgery"
During the period you were absent,
/ wrote twice, begging you to explain
that strange letter Those letters were
returned unopencd--see, here they are
We can guess now by whom. Never
| mind, darling" he added quickly, as
he saw her turn deadly pale, "it is all
right now, I hope. I will furnish your
father any credentials he may require
in reference to my business and social
standing; as for Mr.. Neal, his Charac-
| ter is pretty thoroughly established
But see, they are preparing to go on
with the entertainment.
} 81 will Just add that I would have
heen on the ocean tonight but for al
accident to the machinery of the YES.
| sci; and having nothing better to do
! l concluded 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 &
great deal can be done in that time
| Tomorrow l will call upOn your father
and invite him to accompany us-yoi