Marion Marlowe in Cleveland, or, The Mystery of the Red Rose — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. neither of them inclined to jump at rapid con- clusions. Mr. Temple was still trying to recall what he had done with the package, when the first bars of the orchestra sent the cast flying to their dressing-rooms. Just as Marion was hurriedly donning her costume for the fourth act, a note was brought to her, which she tore -* open, eagerly. It was from Archie Ray, one ’ of her dearest friends. As there was no one to see her, she kissed it tenderly. . The next moment Miss Allyn came in and aw it lying on the dressing-table. — “D—Didn’t it make your heart beat any faster ‘ily. “Oh, I really hatiere it did!’ replied Mar- jon, laughing. “T am so eager to see them a es at I can hardly wait until the performance “is ever, but I have a confession to make to you, dear Alma! I am quite as anxious to al re Adele as I am to see Archie!” “You are safe!” laughed her friend. “You = ar e not in love yet, Marion. If his sister is as dear to you as the young man himself, " m3 there is nothing to fear in that direction.” The last act passed off with the actors still me n the lookout for the crank with the red Py cs. but the curtain fell without his having been discovered. Marion was just changing to her street __ dress when the stage-manager tapped on the door of her room. - > SS Fe : B _ Marlowe, and a parcel,’ he called out. 9 popher Columbus!” ~ Marion opened the door and found th. Fwhole company standing in the space between the dressing-rooms, with the gravest of ex- . pressions upon their features. _ “What in the world do you mean >” she __ asked, in bewilderment. _ Mr. Temple stepped forward and took a bouquet of red roses and a small, dirty-look- i in ze package from the stage-manager’s = hands. | oe _ “Another of those fellows came to the Rene ze door with these, Miss Marlowe,” he _ said, anxiously. “The man on the door says ~ he was perfectly respectful, but he was clever aa a to send one of his friends to shadow “ae Z “Here’s a bunch of roses for you, Miss— hey were brought by a brother of Chris- 13 him. Now, with your consent, I'll throw these roses out of the window and put the parcel in soak in a pail of water.’ “Oh, are you really as suspicious as that?” asked Marion, anxiously. “Do it, by all means, Mr. Temple, up Dr. Brookes. that crazy masher!” “Here, let me do it, old man! You are more valuable to the company than I am,” chimed in Bert, at the same time stepping forward and holding out his hand for the parcel. “Here, put it in here!’ laughed Marion, bringing a large wash bow] of water. Bert took the parcel gingerly and put it in the water, then Mr. Temple carried the bowl and locked it in a closet. “T’ll inspect it to-morrow morning,” he said, decidedly. “I’m not taking any chances on that fellow, Miss Marlowe! Nd spoke CHAPTER VI. oy A RED ROSE. At ten o’clock the next morning, Marion, accompanied by Miss Allyn, Dr. Brookes and Bert, met Mr. Temple at the theatre. Marion had enjoyed a delightful chat with Archie Ray and his sister at an early hour, besides having had supper with them after the performance the evening before. It was with considerable difficulty that she could bring her spirits down to the neces- sary gravity when she stood with her friends around the now thoroughly water-soaked package. “Oh, I feel just too happy to believe any- thing evil of any one this morning,” she said, with a merry smile. “It was so de- lightful to see my old friends, and every- thing is so lovely this beautiful morning! It will cloud my happiness all day if we find anything wrong in that package.” “Treachery and crime are not pleasant things to face. I wish we could spare you, Marion,” said the doctor, tenderly. “But Miss Marlowe insisted on being here and seeing the package opened,” said Mr. Temple, quickly. “It isn’t too late now for you to change your mind. Still, I know vou “Don't take a chance with CONNICLOO© <SnG@