An Interrupted Wedding, or Marion Marlowe as Maid of Honor — page 23: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

20 CHAPTER X. THE FLIGHT, Marion and Dollie were sitting together after dinner talking over the events of the day when Ralph Moore, Dollie’s husband, came quietly and joined them. He had been out with Bert ever since the service at the church and the girls turned to him instantly to hear what news he brought them. “Oh, Ralph! What is it!’ cried Dollie, as she saw the look upon his face. “Is it pos- sible that vou have seen Gladys and that she still sticks to her story!” Marion held her breath as she listened for the reply and her heart sank in her bosom as Ralph answered, soberly: “We found her, yes. That detective had her in a private dining-room downtown. Of course, she didn’t know he was a detec- tive, and she told him her story. She swears the tale is not false—that [Fairfax did rifin her.” “How perfectly awful!” sighed Dollie, but Marion found her voice at last. “Did the detective believe her, Ralph? Or could he see that she was lying? Oh, I am sure I could tell if I could talk with her a few minutes.” Ralph shook his head more gloomily than ever. “He says he is tempted to believe her,” was his hesitating answer. “Her story is as straight as a string, and she gives dates and everything. She says Fairfax visited her town the summer that she was fourteen, but that she lied to him about her name, so, of course, he had no way of knowing that she was Alma’s sister.” “And what does Henry say?” asked Dol- lie, quickly. ‘Does he recall any such girl— [ mean that he ever met her.” “That is the funny thing about it, he does remember,” said Ralph, bluntly. “Why, when she reminded him of certain facts, he turned as grav as ashes. I tell you, we were mighty olad that his sweetheart was nof there to see him.” Marion’s cheeks were growing pale, but her faith had not wavered, and after a mo- MY QUEEN, — ment of thought she asked another " . tion. | “Was Gladys sober, Ralph, or was die intoxicated? We have no right to believe her words if she was in the latter condition.” ene is another strange thing about the case,” was the eager answer. “She was as sober as you and I are at this moment, Mar- ion, and the strangest thing of all is, that she seems conscience stricken. She says she would never have told if it had not been to save her sister !” Marion’s lips curled involuntarily, and she was about to reply when Bert’s familiar pull at the bell wire awoke the very echoes. Dollie sprang to let him in, and a moment later he was in the parlor, where he stood for a minute without speaking to any one. “Oh, Bert, you are all upset! I can see it!’ cried Dollie. “Is it.possible that you | believe that Mr. Fairfax is guilty ?” “I’m blest if I know just what to be- lieve!’ said Bert, dubiously, as he threw himself down with a bounce upon the sofa. “That girl tells her story as straight as a clothes line! She’s got every detail down pat from the very minute of their meeting, and when Henry heard her, you ought to have seen his face! I give you my word it bed turned every color of the rainbow! ‘“*But did he admit it?” asked Marion, in an agonized voice. Bert glanced at Ralph and then answered evasively. a “He did not deny it, Marion, as strange as_it may seem! Honest Injun, I hardly know what to make of the fellow!” “Where is he now, and where is Alma?” asked Dollie. “Oh, I do hope he has been able to explain it to Alma!” “T hope so, too,” said Marion, slowly. Then she rose from her chair and moved across the parlor to where her hat and wrap lay upon the table. “What are you going to do, sister?” asked Dollie, quickly. “TI can see by vour face that you are going to do something.” Marion did not answer, but turned and ‘asked a question, “Where is she, Rert? Where is Alma’s I am going suiiicbecks.comn) sister ?