Marion Marlowe in Indianapolis — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

answer his questions. Her brain seemed run- ing riot in the most unnatural manner. Miss llyn partially restored her to her senses as they seated themselves at the table in a pri- vate dining-room in the restaurant. She turned to her suddenly and insisted upon her ordering.» has? > 4 I want | !” cried poor Marion, nervously. please order what you like and I will eat some ) 3 of it, Alma!” Be “Miss Marlowe and I are going to order the same,” said Mr, Dunlap, quietly, after a “Oh, I can’t! Really, I hardly know what “Do _ tender glance at Marion; “now you and Mr. _ Fairfax please forget that ‘we are on earth! —erets to each other. , 3 We know you are just dying to whisper se- Oh, if. only Miss Mar- lowe and I were lovers!” The words were said so eagerly that Mar- . ion hardly knew how to reply. sire to resent them. For some reason or other, she had no de- “Do you imagine it is so blissful to love?” she asked, dreamily. ro ape say myseli—t have had no experi- ence.’ Miss Allyn and Mr. Fairfax had not e waited for further permission, but were whis- => 7 to making tender speeches, Mr. pering in what to Marion seemed a most ex- traordinary hurry. Mr. Dunlap smiled down into her face, as he answered her question. “It would be bliss _ unspeakable to love you, Miss Marlowe; but, like you, I have had no experience. I have never loved another.” The words were breathed rather than whis- pered, in her ear, and, for an instant, Marion seemed strangely tempted to believe them. It was only by a brave effort that she threw off the spell. It had come to her so suddenly that she was acting as if weak and silly. “Oh, I am sure you must have made love before, you do it so beautifully,” mured, archly. é she mur- “Why, your voice is trained Dunlap! . MY QUEEN. 13 Every single intonation speaks of constant practice.” “You wrong me, Miss Marlowe,” said the young man, soberly; then he bent a little nearer and his eyes seemed reading her soul, as he continued passionately: “But it does not matter that I am a novice, Miss Marlowe. Such beauty as yours would turn a stutterer into an orator. It would inspire lofty senti- ments Plain thoughts and plaia speech cannot live in your in the most sordid soul! presence. To be near you, to see you, is to inhale purity and beauty !” Never in her whole experience had the voung girl like these, breathed in impassioned accents and with listened to words such ardent eyes looking down upon her. Her whole frame quivered with a new emo- tion; but, once more, she tried bravely to con- quer her feelings. “You are an adept at flattery,’ she tried to say, coldly. “I doubt if any living being could murmur words more sweet; and, believe me, I appreciate that you are doing me hom- wage.” ‘My words are feeble,” began the young man, when, with a word of apology, Mr. Fairfax interrupted. “I have been telling Miss Allyn how I happened to meet you first, with your permission, | want to tell Miss Mar- Dunlap,” he said, quietly, “and now, lowe.” For a second a startled look crossed Mr. Dunlap’s face; then, after a keen glance at the speaker, he leaned back in his chair and nodded. “Tell her, by all means,” ently, “ he said, indiffer- although I presume the fact that we are friends is enough, old chap; still, you know best what will please Miss Marlowe!’’ Mr. Fairfax bent forward a little and in doing so his finger touched an electric but- ton. aa hurry that lobster a bit! I’m hun- CONNICOOOKS.C©