The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-08-31

it if you say so, and so spare you the
walk-and leave you that much longer for
courting r he added, significantly.
"Much obliged to you, sir, said
james.
And, resigning his trust with alacrity,
he quickly retraced his steps to the house
knowing well that he ran no risk of be-
trayal from his pretty inamorata.
For two days Rennie waited for an an
swer to the letter.
On the afternoon of the third day, her
father, coming home earlier than usual,
| found her in a swoon upon the floor.
'My advice is to take her somewhere, >
said Neal, who had called in opportunely.
eff you have relatives anywhere in the
country, take her among them and remain
with her until she RECEIVERS in measure
from this sad blow.
''But my house here-how can | man
age about that in the meantimeY Mr..
Lawrence asked, in state of complete
bewildermeht.
"You need not shut it up With your
permission will occupy room here, SO
that can receive and forward what mail
matter comes during your absence, Neal
answered readily.
The arrangement was concluded, and
the following day Mr.. Lawrence and his
daughter departed from the city, leaving
Neal in possession of the house.
OF the letters that came, he forwarded
all but two, which. after having been care
fully steamed open and perused with evf-
dent satisfaction, we're sealed up, enclosed
in other envelopes, and returned to the
sender
At Neal urgent suggestion, Mr.. Law
renee 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 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,
| Noal was the first to meet her, and became
her very shadow, offering no word OF either
confidence or love but rendering the thous-
and little attentions which sooner or later
win their way.
For awhile he used his influence to
keep her from society," for the purpose OF
avoiding any chance meeting with Farm
ham, who was still in the city; but at last
decided upon attending a concert at which
some celebrities were to appear, having
been informed that the ship on which
Roscoe had taken passage would sail early
| in the afternoon.
1t 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 awhile she sat beside him lstlessly
Indifferent alike to the concert and his oc-
casional whispered remarks. Neal was
watching Rennie face with an expression
of triumphant admiration, overcast, never
theless, with a shade of anxiety, while the
Girl wore an absent minded, far-away look,
tinsed with hopeless melancholy.
But after a time some of the music
seemed to arouse her attention and inter-
est. and she listened breathlessly to the
song, in which the singer, tenor OF rare
power and sweetness, was throwing all the
strength of artistic skill and appreciation,
bringing out its subtle sentiment with
power and pathos that stirred the tender
est emotions of the heart.
And not less deeply concerned, but in,a
widely different sense, was William Nea'
He saw that the whole tendency of the
play thus far was to lead her thoughts
farther away from him and back to the
past from which he wished to draw hel
entirely; and he watched her intent face
with furtive uneasiness and perturbation,
conscious that he had made grave mis-
take in bringing her.
Finally, as the curtain fell at the close
of the first part, to be followed by shorl
interval, Neal rose with evident relief.
II see friend in another part of the
house to whom wish to speak, if you vii
excuse me for moment, he said. Their
with a forced laugh II hope they vii
give us something little more cheerful II
the remaining numbers of the program.
This high-strung sentiment is rather tot
rariiied for actual every day experience.
He turned away without waiting for an
answer, and Rennie was sitting with hel
head bowed and her eyes full of tears
when step sounded near her and voice
vibrating with earnest pathos, sincerity ane
grief-said
eMay | sit here and talk with you .
few moments? May [, Miss LawrenceY
and lifting her head with sudden start,
she looked into the frank but troubled face
of Roscoe Farnham.
Where was doubt, mistrust, suspicion
now !? Gone, before the whisperings Of
that truer voice, whose accents no heart
could mistake or disbelieve- that voice
that babe him welcome to her side.
II thought you had gone to Europe, y
she faltered, scarcely Knowing what she
said, "Mr. Neal--'' then she stopped
abruptly.
''Mr Neal told you so, supplemented
Roscoe, with involuntary bitserness. per
haps it may prove to be not the first mis-
representation for which | am indebted to
Mr.. Neal Then, with quick move
ment, drawing 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 it to the end.
"The writing is not mine, she said,
trembling violently. cit is clever forg-
cry, | admit; but / never saw this letter
before. | did not direct it to that ad-
dress, for | did not know you were out of
the city. .
''1hank heaven p calculated Roscoe,
fervently; then, more earnestly "Ren-
ME, it is William Neal. But as looked
at both of you tonight from where 1 sat,
| read admiration and triumph in Neal s
face, but neither love nor interest in yours !;
and. in spite of all that had passed. nv