Marion Marlowe in Cleveland, or, The Mystery of the Red Rose — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. “I may be a boy in years, but I’m a man in some things,” he said, proudly. ‘But, of course, you can’t understand.” Ele dodged just in time to escape a good, scund box on the ear; and, as his cue came just then, he was glad enough of the chance to leave her. “Dll get square with you, yet,” she called out, with a jolly laugh, and just then the girl she disliked so thoroughly came and stood beside her. ‘‘He’s a beast of a boy! I detest him!’ remarked Miss Chester. “If I was Temple, I wouldn’t have him in the company !” ‘And if I was Bert Jackson, I wouldn’t have Temple in the company,” spoke up a masculine voice, as Orrin Olcott, the new “villain,” came up behind them. Both girls turned around and looked at him inquiringly, and the actor lowered his voice as he imparted a bit of information. “Bert Jackson is as rich as Croesus!’ he “Why, he’s the ‘angel’ Temple hasn’t got a penny. said, mysteriously. of the company ! And, what’s more, young Jackson is so blind he can’t see what every one else-has discov- ered—that is, that Temple is fast cutting him out with Marion Marlowe!” Miss Ellis was about to reply, but Miss Chester interrupted her. “Ts that true, is he rich?” anxious voice. “Why, kid—a perfect little innocent!” she asked, in an the fellow is only a and going to be cé richer,” | | was a girl, I’d set my cap for Bert Jackson. lle mav be a little fresh, but % Miss Ellis heard her cue, and had to leave She would have been glad to have “He’s rich, all right, said the other, cautiously. just then. heard the balance of the sentence. As she glanced back from the stage a min- ute later, she saw that they were still talking torether, and, although she was not usually ; Ph ’ . . + . S ery quick at jumping: at conclusions, she seemed to feel that their conversation was still about Bert Jackson. “Tf I see her making up to him, I’ll warn him,” she muttered. “I won’t have her fool- ing such a good fellow as Bert! He may be a boy, but he’s a noble fellow!” She was standing at the left of the stage, close to the exit, and Dr. Brookes was hold- ing the “center” with an impassioned ad- dress. “What in the world are you blushing so about, Miss Ellis?’ whispered some one in her ear. The mgénue turned a little, and saw Mar- ion behind her, half hidden by the scenery, where she had been listening to the doctor. “T am sure I don’t know; I guess it was my thoughts,” she began, lamely. Marion reached around the scenery and pinched her arm gently. “Own up! You’re in love! I’m sure of it, Miss Ellis! When girls blush at their thoughts, they must be thinking of their lovers.” “Oh, but they must first have the lover!” whispered Miss Ellis, promptly; “and I never had one yet! I’m living in hopes, Miss Marlowe!” “T expect they are very nice things to have,” said Marion, wistfully. “I’ve always longed to love some one, but, somehow, I seem very cold. I have seen such lovable men, and yet I couldn’t love them !” “Mr you say so, I heard Perhaps, when Ray is coming to-night! Miss Marlowe! he comes, it will be different. You know he loves you dearly.” “T am afraid it will not be different,” mur- mured Marion, softly. Then she glided out upon the stage to finish the act with Dr. Brookes. . Miss Ellis glanced over her shoulder for another look at Miss Chester, and her eves GEomicbooks.eGom CS