A Lover's Quarrel, or Marion Marlowe's Deceitful Friend — page 15: what you’re looking at

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Fredericks’ room,” said Mrs. Burnside, the minute they were alone. “That woman was in there—her name is Miss McGillin—and oh, Marion, Miss Fred- ericks is choosing her costume for the ball! I caught a glimpse of a black robe embroid- ered in gold butterflies and a purple velvet exactly like yours, in spite of the fact that she tried to hide them.” “But what did you hear?’ ‘asked Marion, eagerly. “Was it anything about Bert or Lena, Mrs. Burnside?” “No, only Miss Fredericks said to me, I am going to the Parker-Stetson ball with young Mr. Jackson.’ “What did you say?” whispered Marion, ‘Don’t you envy me, Mrs. Burnside? as her friend paused and stared at her. “T did not say a word, Marion. I just asked for my pattern. Really, I was too dis- gusted to speak. I believe I could have .spanked Bert at that moment!” Marion shook her head dolefully as ‘she took up her book. There was no use trying to read, so she turned the pages listlessly. “Your lover is just the dearest, noblest b fellow in the world, Marion,’ went on Mrs. Burnside, “and yet, a week ago, I would have qualified that remark. I would have said he was one of the noblest and that Bert Jackson was the other.” “Oh, I can’t believe any ill of Bert,” cried Marion, suddenly, throwing down the book. “In spite of his own words, [ cannot believe ‘11 of him. He must have some good reason for his actions, Mrs. Burnside.” “Well, whatever it is, he is keeping it to himself,” was the answer. “I would as soon have expected my own little Ruby to do an unscrupulous deed, I always thought Bert was the soul of honor.” “And he is! I am sure of Marion, stoutly. ‘Oh, Mrs. I should have been more pa- it!’ cried Burnside! I did wrong. MY QUEEN. tient with Bert. I should have seen him again and tried to persuade him.” | “Perhaps you ought to have done s0, Marion, but it isn’t. too late,” was the thoughtful answer. “The misunderstanding between them is not a week old. be patched I guess a truce could up,’ she added, — smiling. “Then I'll begin it this minute by writing | to Bert. Ill go straight to my room and write him a nice letter and tell him that, in spite of what he said, I still believe him a Then I'll beg him to come and. see me just as soon as he can, and gentleman of honor. I will not say a word about that other mat- ter until—well, until he has seen Lena again. Oh, I should have thought of all this before. I am wretchedly stupid.” She started for the door and had her hand upon the knob. As she opened it, she came face to face with another liveried bell-boy. “Please, Miss Marlowe, you are wanted in the parlor,” he said, politely. Marion reopened the door and glanced over her shoulder. “T’ll have to postpone my letter for a few minutes, after all. Captain Canfield wishes to see me, so I am going to the parlor.” “Don’t flirt with the old gentleman,” called Mrs. Burnside, gayly. “I wouldn’t like to be the girl to make Dr. Brookes jealous.” “Nor I,” retorted Marion, with a merry laugh. “It is my aim in life to make him happy.” CHAPTER VI. SHOCKING NEWS. Marion was almost gay as she hurried to the parlor, for her heart was lighter over Bert’s position now, and, besides, she was genuinely glad to see his father. But what was her dismay upon glancing in at the door to see old Captain Canfield ecomicbooks:com 7 } 7 4 vs ’