The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-12-01

triumph in Meals face, but neither
love nor interest in yours and, IN
spite of all that had passed, my heart
gave sudden bound of renewed hope
and courage. So when Neal left you
just now, 1 resolved to avail myself
of the first opportunity found to ap-
proach you since the receipt OF that
cruel letter. / am convinced that
there has been some terrible wrong
some shameful treachery. Tell me,
did you see Neal the day this letter
was written?"
For answer Rennie related as brief
ly as possible what she knew of the
whole matter.
"Nea1 knew that I was called away
from the city by telegram that very
evening"" said Roscoe. "He accom-
panied me to the cars and received a
message from me to you, with prom
ise to write in day or two-expect-
ing to be absent for about three weeks.
He evidently thought that would give
him time for his sinister work and
having heard you make the declara-
ton that you would send letter and
let me witness for myself, he doubt
less contrived by bribing the servant,
or in some other way, to obtain pos
session of the letter, and initiated
your handwriting in preparing this
one-a very clever forgery"
During the period you were ab-
sent, I wrote twice, begging you to
explain that strange letter. These
letters were returned unopened-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. 1 will furnish your father any
credentials he may require in regard
to my business and social standing ;
as for Mr.. Neal, his character is pref
ty thoroughly established. But see,
they are preparing to go on with the
entertainment.
81 will just add that I would have
been on the ocean tonight but for an
accident to the machinery of the YES
sci, and having nothing better to do,
1 concluded to attend this concert
which proved after all the very best
thing 1 could have done. My sailing
will be delayed for week and great
deal can be done in that time. To-
morrow l will call upon your father
and invite him to accompany us-you
and 1, Rennie-when we do go on
our wedding journey. May II"
One glad, grateful, joyous look an
swered him and as he pressed her
hand at parting, step at his side an
nounced the return of William Neal.
A dark frown overspread Meals
face as their eyes met but with
quiet bow Farnham passed him and
returned to his seat.
Take me home, please !" were
Rennie's first words to her escort.
81 feel unable to remain longer"
Without any comment Neal obey
cd. Tho carriage wac called, AAd- a
short time later Rennie was at her
own house.
Goodnight p she said quietly,
without offering her hand and the
next moment William Neal was
standing outside the door alone, in a
very bewildered frame of mind, and
inwardly cursing the imprudence that
permitted him to leave her for sin
gle moment ungarded in 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 brief note fran Rem
ME informing him that their acquain-
tance was at an end absolutely and
forever.
Roscoe Farnham called the next
day, had a long interview with Mr..
Lawrence and a longer one with his
daughter, at the close of which Rem
ME whispered, as he kissed her for a
brief goodbye:
"Let us forgive him, Roscoe, for
he did US good turn in persuading
me to go to that concert. If I had
remained at home, as wanted to,
you would have left the city without
an opportunity for an explanation,
and we should have missed our 1ife's
happiness forever" )"
"There's many slip 'twixt the
cup and lip" laughed Roscoe, uncon-
scious that he was quoting the very
expression his rival had used. "But
the slip was not ours this time, darl-
ing-and so we will forgive him."