Marion Marlowe in Indianapolis — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

private nature, and, as I would have no time to devote to you to-day, I meant to obey the maxim of ‘business before pleasure’ and then take you by storm this evening at the the- atre.” “And you thought we would pass you and not know you,” laughed Marion. “Well, you see my eyes are too sharp for that. I knew vou in spite of the change in your appear- ance.” . Mr. Fairfax clapped his hand to his mouth to hide the false mustache he was wearing, and his eyes twinkled with merriment as he -tooked at his sweetheart. “It’s my very last case—I swear it, Alma!” he said, seriously. ‘‘Really, the detective habit can’t be broken in a minute, and this If | succeed, it means fame and a lot of money.” special case offers great inducements. “T suppose you can’t give us so much as a “But, ch, Henry, I am awfully, awfully glad to see hint of what it is,” said Alma, softly. you! Louis, but not to Indianapolis.” I expected you would come to St. “T have to follow my game,” laughed the young detective, gayly; “and, instead of go- ing farther West, they are at present in this city, though what they expect to find here is an unfathomable mystery.”’ “Speaking of detective work, just wait un- til I tell you what Marion did in Columbus,” began Miss Allyn, but Marion interrupted her. “Not now, Alma, dear! I am sure Mr. Pairfax is ina hurry. You heard him say he must attend to business.” f “Oh, but I hate to let him go so soon,” ~ “Just think! I Oh, two Alma replied, blushing. haven’t seen him since—when?P weeks to-morrow !” “Well, that is an age; still, you must be reasonable,” laughed her friend; “but he is coming to the theatre, and you must be sure and come early, Mr. Fairfax.” MY QUEEN. 5 “Yes, come early,’ echoed Miss Allyn, as “Marion was never in love, Just wait he moved away. so she don’t understand, Henry! until her turn comes, and see how much sym- pathy I will give’ her!” “T’l] be with you at the earliest possible mo- ment, darling,” laughed the young man, rais- ing his hat ; “but in the meantime, think of me’ girls! I’ve got to find my game as well as glory before evening!” CHAPTER III. CONFIDENCES. “Oh, Alma! I am so delighted! Why, | am almost as glad to see him as you are, And how well he is looking, in spite of that mustache.”’ Marion’s eyes sparkled with pleasure as she spoke the words, and Alma Allyn squeezed dear ! her hand in gratitude. “He does look well, and I am just per- fectly happy!” was the reply, and then Miss Allyn turned to the young actress and bent a searching look upon her. “Now confess, Marion, dear,” she said, al- most in a whisper, “isn’t there any one in the No one whose presence makes your heart beat world whom you love as I do Henry? faster, and whose words make all the world a little brighter?” Marion’s gray eyes grew dark as she an- swered, slowly: “T like Archie Ray and the doctor very niuch, indeed, Alma. I am very happy, in- deed, to have them near, but I think—in fact, J am sure—that I do not feel toward them as you feel toward Mr. Fairfax. my enjoyment, but that is all. I could be happy, [ think, even though I could not see them.”’ “Oh, dear! I did hope for a different an- swer!" said Miss Allyn, laughing. “But never mind, dearie, it will surehecesps They add to <X YD)