Marion Marlowe in Columbus, or, Accused of a Crime — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

190 The fellow had come back as she spoke, and his eyes were snapping. “Can I act? Well, I should smile! Why, I’m a Jim Dandy Thespian, Miss Marlowe! I've played Rip Van Winkle, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Ingomar, besides being every- thing in legit. from leading heavy to supe! Done fourteen performances a week in ‘Frisco for fifty-two weeks in the year, and can sandwich in any specialty from a song and dance to a horizontal bar and ‘split,’ at short order, if necessary. —Anything you want in the theatrical line, just call on yours truly; but I regret to say that my wardrobe isn't with me.- I neglected to have it sent along when I bought my ticket.” A half dozen mefhbers of the company had come through the car as he was speak- ing, each carrying an assortment of odd gar- ments that they intended donning, and the jovial ending to his words was intended for their benefit. “Can you do a dual rédle—on the Little Lord Fauntleroy and Sunshine of Paradise ~ Alley order?” asked Mr. Temple, laughing. “If you can, I have a notion to engage you at once; only, of course, if I do it [ll have no end of trouble. You’ve got to settle with the railroad people for stealing a ride, and I ex- pect it is my duty to turn vou over.” “What's the matter with rigging me up in some of those togs and keeping mum?” asked Wiggin, promptly, pointing to one of the gorgeous togas. “There’s no one‘to know I'm a tramp unless you tell them! I assure you I will make a valuable acquisition to your company.” “Oh, but we We've got no end of that!” broke in Bert, are not short of cheek! “although we are free to confess that your reserve supply might come in handy!” “How am I to know that you can act?” asked Mr. Temple, more seriously. “I might waive my duty to the railroad if I found you MY QUEEN. were really valuable. Perhaps you will favor us with a dramatic recitation, Mr.—Mr. Wiggin ?” “Oh, let us have a rehearsal! It will be too funny for anything!” cried Marion, gayly. “We have the costumes all out, and are go- ing to put them on, anyway. Do let us have a rehearsal of the new play, and Mr. Wiggin can read his part. You can tell as much by his reading as by a recitation!” | “A very good idea,” laughed the manager, glancing about. ‘‘The ground is pretty wet, but it will be dry in an hour. As soon as you are all through eating I will tell Deering to call the rehearsal.” There was a general scamper, and the la- dies of the company began dressing, while the male members, with Bill Wiggin among them, made a dressing-room of the narrow space that had been cleared-in the baggage car, ’ “I shall never forget your face when you first saw that funny little fellow, Marion,” called out Alma Allyn, as she was hurrying “Really, if he had been a freak from Freakville you couldn’t into her dry garments. have looked more alarmed. I hope you were not visited with one of your horrid presenti- ments !”’ “No, Iam glad to say I was not.’ answered Marion, slowly. “Still, you must confess. Alma, that his appearance was startling: but the thing that puzzles me most was our train- man’s manner. Do you suppose it is possible that he could have known he was in there? I’ve been puzzling over that question for the last ten minutes.” “Great » Scott! That is so! T hadn't thought of it!” cried Miss Allyn. “You area clever girl, Marion—the cleverest in crea- tion!” (EOMMIE OOO KS. COA