Marion Marlowe in Columbus, or, Accused of a Crime — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. ti CHAPTER IV. THE REHEARSAL. When the two young girls were dressed they strolled out of the car, stepping as care- fully over the wet ground as possible while they waited for the others. They were talking in low tones about the new addition to their party, and as they walked about to keep warm they could hear the laughter of the men as they guyed the little fellow. \ “T fancy he is a stranded actor,” said Miss Allyn, as she retraced her steps to the car; “but here come Deering and the others from their breakfasts and, as soon as they start the rehearsal, we shall find out whether he is really an actor or only shamming.” “IT think we will call this bit of track the stage—it’s drier here than anywhere else,” ealled out the stage manager. ‘Come, Jackson!. Get a-move on! You start the ball rolling, you know!’ Bert emerged from the car, arrayed in a varied collection of stage garments which he had secured from the trunks, and a shout of laughter followed him as he strode over toward the impromptu stage. Alma Allyn followed him, as she was in the first scene, and then the rest of the com- pany came trooping out, while the property man and one of the trainmen climbed up on the roof of the car and spread out the wet clothing. | “Tsn’t it just the funniest scene you ever beheld, Alma?’ laughed Marion, gayly. “I ‘have heard of strange incidents on the road in a theatrical tour, but I doubt if anything could equal our rehearsal.” “It is to be hoped the relief train won’t come thundering along and interrupt us,” was the answer. “It would be actually obliged to take the centre of the stage, and oh, what a scattering there would be to exits!” “No danger of our engine getting back for an hour yet,” said Mr. Temple, coming up behind The come first and mend the road. them. wrecking train will 1 don’t im- agine we'll get away from here much be- fore twelve o'clock.” “But what in the world will we do for lunch? Wiggin has eaten up all the sand- wiches!” whispered Marion, softly. “I’m sure I don’t know! Guess we'll have to start Bert fishing again,’’ was the du- bious answer, and just then the new acquisi- tion came up, and they all turned to look at him. Wiggin was arrayed in a pair of knicker- bockers and a Roman toga and had on his head the helmet of a Roman soldier. In this costume he looked even more weazened than before, but his eyes were sparkling and he seemed perfectly at ease. “IT can’t make him out,” said Mr. Temple, as Wiggin strode off between Bert and the stage manager. “He’s the strangest specimen I ever ran up against. I’m not altogether sure that I ought to trust him.” | ‘He must have been strapped completely ’ said Hinton, “but it beats me why he should have honored us with his company, unless it is that he is familiar with the normal condition of the actor and suspected us of being sympathetic with his impecunious condition.” to steal a ride,’ “That’s as good an explanation as arly -one has suggested so far,” said Mr. Temple, laughing; “but perhaps the true reason will develop before the day is over. Miss Mar- lowe has already cast a spell over him which may force him to confess. The only thing I'm glad of is that he didn’t blow up the baggage.” “He may have intended to all right,” was the property man’s answer, “and gee! That gives me a pointer! CONMNCIOO ue GO