Marion Marlowe in Denver, or, The Tragedy of Pike's Peak — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

3S _.. MY QUEEN. Mr. Temple thought a minute before re- plying: “I can see no reason why you-should not accept it,” he said, at last. “The old com- modore fell in love with you and wanted you to be his wife. Whom should he leave his money to, unless to the woman whom he thus honored? Of course,” he went on, slowly, “he had a great deal more money than that, and that is one reason why it is right for you to accept it. To a man of the commodore’s means, this amount is only a handsome present.” “It is a fortune to me!” cried Marion, im- pulsively. “Oh, Mr. Temple! Just think of what I can do! There are so many that I can help with a hundred thousand dollars!” Mr. Temple looked at her sadly, for he was sick at heart. This fortune had put another barrier between them. He was only a poor man, and now Marion was dn heiress. _ He had loved her dearly before, but now there was an added pain in his heart, for she had slipped beyond his grasp forever and ever. He might have won her in time, if things had continued as they were, for Marion had not-yet shown a preference for any of her lovers, but he was too honorable or too sen- sitive to think of pressing his suit now, for the world would only say that he was after her money.: As Marion talked eagerly of her plans, he tried to smile at her pleasantly, but a great darkness had come upon his soul, and he could hardly keep from crying out in his misery. 3 Dr. Brookes was a rich man, so there would be no such barrier to his wooing. As the thought flashed into his brain, an old bit- terness surged into his heart. For the hun- dredth time, perhaps, he was jealous of the young physician, and, this time, he was too thoroughly unhappy to even make an attempt to conquer the feeling. relief to him when the It was a great theatre was reached, and he could lock him- self into the seclusion of his office. Marion hurried to her room, where she found Miss Allyn and Miss- Ellis, the in- vénne of the company, waiting for her, and the tears ran down her face as she told them of the commodore’s kindness. “Now, Marion will have more admirers than ever,” said Miss Ellis, after the tears were wiped away. “She’s turned the heads of hundreds by her beauty and talents. Now, what will they do when they hear she has money? Oh, I just envy you, Marion! You dear, sweet girlie!” She was half in fun, yet she did envy Mar- ion, but it was the envy that is born of hon- est admiration. “Tell us about the lawyers,” said Alma Allyn, suddenly. “Were they surprised te. find that you were such a young girl, and did they tell you what the commodore did with * the rest of his money?” ° ' Before she was half through her question, Marion was blushing furiously, for the face of the soft-voiced Mr. Waldo had not left her mind for a minute. “T only saw one of them,” she began, in some confusion; “and, oh, Alma! He was so gentle and sympathetic! Not a bit like the cold, cruel lawyers that you hear about! Why, he really seemed to sympathize with my sorrow in every way, and, oh, I nearly forgot! he is coming to the theatre to-night! I must do my best, for I am sure he is a great critic!” “He'll have something to do to find fault with you, girlie,” laughed Miss Allyn, proudly. ‘Why, every newspaper in Den- ver says that you are grand in the part, and the houses speak for themselves—they have been packed every evening,” “Nevertheless, I think I shall try a little harder than ever,’’ answered Marion, with a shy smile curving her lips. “I don’t exactly know why, but I would like to please Mr. Waldo. He is one of the most fascinating men that I ever saw; but dear me, Alma! What is the matter?” “Oh, nothing dear!” said Miss Allyn, laughing. ‘But take my advice; don’t go to that office alone again, Marion! I verily be- lieve you've fallen in love with the lawyer!’ She winked at Miss Ellis mischievously, and then both the girls glanced sharply at Marion. ‘The young star’s eyes were downcast, and Gomlcbooks.. com) ‘ 4