Marion Marlowe in Society, or, A Race for a Title — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. " Fs “We shall be so charmed and so saw the great brute's olaring eyes, she honored,” echoed Mrs. Wurtemburg, snatched Mrs. Van Twiller’s umbrella almost eagerly. | from that lady’s hand and brandished it vig- “So good of you to waive formalities and Jet us see your protégéc, dear Mrs. Stetson.” Mrs. Stetson’s wide mouth curved a little at the corners, but she turned without a <a Pi, f A is F ‘te at i ~ ~ whe. eal.” — * word and tapped a bell at her elbow. “Ask Miss Marlowe to come to the par- lor,” she said, as a servant entered. Mrs. Wurtemburg focussed her lorgnette on the parlor doorway, while Mrs. Van Twiller, who was a little more clever in con- cealing her true feelings, stifled a yawn be- hind her handkerchief and then tried to look -_ interested. Both ladies had cailed upon Mrs. Stetson. for the express purpose of getting a glimpse of the coming débutante, but now that she was about to appear before them they tried © in vain to appear politely indifferent. t , - «+ _ At that moment a shriek echoed along the wide marble hall of the mansion, followed by the sound of feet and the sharp, angry yelps of Mrs. Stetson’s Irish setter. All three ladies sprang to their feet with expressions of terror, and the next second a maid dashed into the parlor, her eyes dilated with fright. Springing forward she sought refuge behind the portly form of her mis- tress. Before a word could be tittered a commo- tion in the hallway held the three ladies spellbound. The next instant a great, red- dish brute appeared between the portiéres of the draped doorway, its eyeballs gleaming with an ominous glare. A young girl, clad all in white, was cling- ing desperately to the dog’s collar. CHAPTER ITI. MRS. STETSON 'S PREDICTION. Mrs. Stetson was a woman who was prompt to act in an emergency, and, as she orously as she advanced toward the setter. “Get madam, quick!” gasped the young girl, as she still “Jennie has Charlotte out of sight, clung to the struggling brute. taken a dislike to her; I don’t know why. Hurry and put her in the library and turn the key on her, Mrs. Stetson” Mrs. Stetson sprang toward the crouching maid servant and seized her by the shoulder. In a second she was lecked safely in the library, which adjoined the parlor. “Now you can go, Jennie, you good old dog,” sai¢ the young girl, sweetly. “But you must explain your antipathy before you de- vour poor Charlotte.” Both callers gave screams of horror as they saw the young girl release her hold on the dog’s collar, “Oh, after Charlotte,” the girl explained, quickly. she will not touch you! “Jennie is a splendid dog; she will not touch any one unless she is justified, or thinks she is justified, in doing 'so.” ‘The handsome brute had bounded over to the library door as the young girl spoke, and, with her nose to the sat bt was growling viciously. Mrs. Stetson spoke to her sharply and quieted her growls; then she came forward quickly to make some introductions. she said, putting her hand on the beautiful girl’s round shoulder: “I wish to present you to two of my dearest friends—Mrs. Wurtemburg and Mrs. Van Twiller—Miss Marlowe.” “Marion, dear,” Marion Marlowe bowed with the grace of a queen. She was flushed and panting from her violent exertion, but this did not affect her dignity for an instant. < ° I hope you will excuse my somewhat un- ceremonious entrance,” she said, laughing: She was KS GOGO OO (SO)