Marion Marlowe in Omaha, or, Held up by Accident — page 13: what you’re looking at

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10, _ while 1 go and make the rounds of the other invalids.” “Oh, Marion, I wish I could go, too, but Im absolutely useless,” sighed Miss Allyn. “I don’t mind the pain, but I do hate this being cooped up! 1 want to be doing some- thing, the same as you!” “It is lovely to think 1 was not crippled,” said the young girl, gratefully ; “still, the doc- tor says | came near dying, and | know how you all felt. te describe how you all suffered.” “Don’t speak of it, darling! I'll never for- “If we had Aost you, [ am sure | don’t know what would get it,” was the quick answer. have happened ; but go on, dear, and see how the others are faring; and, oh, Marion, don't forget to find out about the ranchman! It will break my heart if anything serious has happened to the fine old fellow!” Marion left the room silently and without glancing back, but she knew instinctively that Miss Ellis was on the “anxious seat” no longer. Bert was too quiet for that, and, ‘besides, there was something else. She had just closed the door behind her when she heard the sound of kisses. “Oh, I am so glad that he loves her!” she murmured, as she heard it. “The dear girl loves him so deeply, and now she is happy! Oh, will I ever, ever know the bliss of such ‘Jove? It must be perfectly heavenly to be adored by a handsome lover—one whose every glance thrills your heart with ecstasy !” She stopped short with a blush that crim- coned her very temples. In her impulsive ‘oy she had whispered the words aloud, and Dr. Brookes was right before her—he had heard every syllable. CHAPTER V. THE REFORMATION OF “TACKETS. The where they cereeyed by curtains, and as their eves met the young physician stepped forward eagerly. corridor stood was ~~ It made me cry when he tried MY QUEEN. 7. “Marion, darling! You do long for love, then!” he whispered, passionately. ‘You are not cvid and unresponsive, but warm and ar- dent! Oh, that I might be the prince to awaken you from your slumber! I would be the happiest man in the world, Marion!” The tears were in the noble girl’s eyes as she answered him, and her graceful head drooped sadly upon herebosom. : “I do long for love, Dr. Brookes,” she said, softly ; “I am too honest to deny that I think — it would be heavenly! But it is also true that my slumber seems deathlike! In spite of all “ the noble princes who have come, it cannot be broken! Some day, when I am older, per- haps I shall awake, but at present I must | dream on and take what pleasure I can from my dreaming! It is not my lot to experi- ence the great bliss of loving very early in life, I guess; but perhaps it will be sweeter if Iam forced to await it.” ay “T hope so, Marion.” The words were said soberly. Dr. Brookes had recovered himself and was gazing at her earnestly. “T trust that when it comes, it will fulfill all your expectations! I hope the illusion or delusion will remain until the end, and that nothing will ever occur to rob it ofyits sweet elamour, or destroy the poetry and romance which ‘is the essence of all affection! When your heart’s awakening does come, Marion, will you let me know ?” Marion bent her head. in her eyes. She could not answer the noble words except by a gesture. ‘A moment later she had passed hin and was on her way to Ida Inez, the new soubrette, as she was called in the company. At the door she was obliged to wait until she had calmed herself a little. “Why could she not love him?” It was the old, old question. . Marion re- proached herself bitterly for her hopeless ob- stinacy. There were tears : ecomicbooks:com a ~