Marion Marlowe in Indianapolis — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

24 ly. “This is the surgical ward, and they are most of them fresh cases. Unless you have a friend here——” Marion integrupted him by pointing to the cot upon which the man lay still groaning softly. “He looks like some one that ‘I am inter- ested in,” she began, and then waited a min- ute, trying to think how to continue. The orderly looked over his shoulder and then scowled a little. “I guess you are mistaken, miss; you can’t know him! He is only a tramp who was picked up on the railroad tracks at two o'clock this morning. Some one had shot him in the leg. It’s a wonder he wasn’t run over.” The two girls looked at each other, and then thanked him politely. As soon as they reached the corridor they sat down on one ’ of the benches. “We must notify the authorities at once,” were Miss Allyn’s first words. “The fellow should be put under arrest even while he is in the hospital. Oh, ain’t I glad that we have caught my boy’s bird for him!” “I hope we are right,” was Marion’s an- swer; then they both started for the office to tell their story. When Henry Fairfax joined them a half hour later he was completely astounded by what his sweetheart had to tell him. He was at once allowed to enter the ward and identify the patient, who was no one more nor less than Denison Holbrook, the “sharper.” “Little did I dream that you would ever be my assistant, Alma,” Fairfax said, gayly, as he pinched his sweetheart’s arm; “but in this case I can well say your services are inval- uable.”’ “Nevertheless, it is an awful business, and 1 shall be glad when you are out of it,” re- torted Miss Allyn. “Your man shall be watched closely, sir,” said the house-surgeon, coming back into the cffice at that “Of course, if you wish you can put him under arrest. That will relieve us of all the responsibility in the mat- minute. ter,” “T'll send a man from headquarters to stay with him,” was the reply; “and as soon as he is able to leave his bed, we'll see that a place is prepared for him in one of our numerous MY QUEEN, | 4 State prisons, for the fellow is wanted in very near all of them.” “Then we'll be glad to be rid of him,” said the surgeon, laughing. “He’s a perfect baby, anyway, with all his grunting and groaning. Ps “If we could only force him to tell what became of the doctor,” sighed Marion, glanc-. ing at the surgeon, eagerly. J Mr. Fairfax had already told the story, so the gentleman understood ; but he was obliged to shake his head at the young girl’s sugges: tion. “I'd ask him in a minute, if I dared,” -he said, candidly; “but he is feverish and ex- cited, and it wouldn’t do. Just as soon as he can stand it, yoyr detective can question him.” ‘Then we may as well go back to the ho- tel,” said Marion, sadly. , “Tt is barely possible that the doctor may have returned. Yes, we had better go back at once, Mr. Fairfax.” “And I will continue my search for him as soon as I have wired to the New York office,” said Fairfax. “My duty was simply to catch these fellows. They must arrange an escort if they wish them extradited.” - “Which means that your work is. over for the present, doesn’t it, dear?” cried Alma, clapping her hands. “Then I will expect you to devote yourself to me for the rest of your stay here.” “For the rest of my life, Alma, darling,” said her lover; “so, as soon as we meet again, you must answer me one question. I wish to know the earliest date upon which you will be married.” “Oh, Alma! How delightful!’ cried Mar- ion, gayly, “Oh, I do hope it will be soon, for I want to see you both happy! You have been lovers so long, why you really owe it to your friends to go along and get married |" “She is tired of hearing us ‘spoon,’ and I don’t blame her,” cried Miss Allyn, laugh- ing; “but I will not promise for sure to an- swer your question.” “Then I'll not promise to come back!” said her lover, in mock firmness. “I'll just take a «troll about town and then go back to New York. No, indeed, Miss Allyn! 1 won't be put off any longer!” | Alma’s face vied COM praia ro > , =< few ie lUC<“i CU i ae = eos, | |