Marion Marlowe in Buffalo, or, Betrayed by a Rival Company — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

16 “Naw! It ain't no fire! It’s somebody comin down ther Rapids an’ goin’ sure pop over ther Falls! There's lots on ‘em done it, but I ain't never seen one! I'd give er dol- lar if I could only git there!” He started off again with a diss poieie look upon his face and, before Mr. Temple could think what to do, quite a crowd had gathered before the door of the telegraph of- fice. | “The same old story, I reckon! Some bloomin’ idiot has lost. his oar a teyin’ ter cross the river up above,” said a lusty voice. “There's lots of folks that ain't got no more sense. I’ve seen two myself come through the Rapids.” . “But they say there’s a woman in this boat,” spoke up another voice; “but, of course, that may be only a rumor! Bad news travels fast, and it doesn’t lose anything in its traveling, either!” Mr. Temple forced his way into the office, thinking he might learn something more defi- nite. As he edged his way to the desk, he caught sight of Mr. Rippel. A man in uniform was sitting at one of the telegraph instruments, and raising his hand for silence, he read off the latest message to a couple of newspaper reporters. “A man and woman are drifting down toward the Rapids in a small boat. They were first seen at a point about five miles above Goat Island, but, owing to the ice on the shore, no one could get near them.” There was a death-like silence in the room while the message was being read, then the crowd dispersed, the men shaking their heads wisely, was a train that would get me there on time,” said a coarse- looking man, as he passed Mr. Temple. “There's lots gone alls, but [ ain’t never seen none on “T wish there over the ‘om! [t’s too late now, though, if they're nearin’ the Rapids.” “Creat Heavens! How morbid! mut- tered Mr. Temple, as he heard it, He spoke louder than he intended, and in- stantly some one answered : That e what T eav! How can they want to see it!” Mr. Memple Harned around, It was Rippel MY QUEEN. who had spoken. His face had a drawn loék, as though the news had upset him. Mr. Temple walked away; he did not care to talk with him. He was still thinking bit- terly of the way Marion had treated him. A dozen steps from the telegraph office he was suddenly confronted by Jones. The fel- low was wringing his hands and his face looked deathly pale. “What the deuce ?" began Mr. Tem- ple, but the fellow interrupted him. “Oh, can’t something be done to stop them, Mr. Temple? They mustn't go over the Falls! It would be horrible! Horrible!” Mr. Temple looked at him in sympathy. The news had evidently completely unnerved him. He had never given the fellow credit before for having so much feeling. “T am afraid nothing can save them, Jones. In fact, fhey may have gone over before this,” he said, very soberly. With a fearful groan, Jones began cower- ing on the sidewalk before him. “Good Heavens! What does this mean? What ails you, fellow!” cried the manager, with the first breath of suspicion coming over him. ter? Quick! Speak up. this minute! There’s— something on your conscience, or you wouldn't have gone to pieces so completely !”’ He seized the fellow by the shoulder and | shook him soundly. Jones Was on the verge of a fit, but he was determined to get the truth out of him before he collapsed aito- eether. With a fearful rolling of the eye-balls, the actor managed to stammer out his answer. “Rose followed her up the river,” he mut- tered. ‘He did not mean to do anything but detain her, I'm sure, but if there’s a boat coming down———" He could go no farther. He began clutching t his throat in a paroxysm of perfect terror. For just one second Mr. Temple stood like one petrified : then a sudden determination quicken his faculties, There was a policeman standing near, and the manager called to him. “Keep your eye on this man until T get back.” he said, hoarsely; “he’s just admitted his knowledge of a crime. He knows who is in that boat that is coming down the river! “What do you know of this mat- ’ seemed to comic! Dee. CS} "€ a) m | | |