Marion Marlowe in St. Louis, or, A Forger's Bold Deed — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

all a. 4. i og : yr %, t ~« if > = MY QUEEN. estly; “unless you've fallen in love with me vourself, which is hardly possible, seeing there are two others in the company who are better worth loving.” “But neither of them is as attractive,” simpered the girl, with a shy glance at him. Bert put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a silver dollar. “Here, take that! It’s all I’ve got,” he said, with a grimace; “and if you don’t think it’s enough, come around to-morrow!” Miss Maitland gasped. It was not what she expected. The next minute, with a low bow the come- dian left her. “The wretch!’ she muttered, furiously. “Oh, I could pull his hair out! Having fun with me, is he? Well, I'll bet I’ll get square with him!” “What’s the matter, Miss Maitland? You look as if you’d been chewing nails,” called out Miss Ellis, merrily. Bert had sauntered past her and given her a wink, and the ingénwe was fairly bubbling - over with merriment. “Here are the carriages, sir!” called out the door-tender at that minute. Bert glanced at his watch; it was a quar- ter past midnight. The next minute he was ‘helping Marion to her seat in the first car- riage. - CHAPTER VIII. ADVICE. “Well, I was agreeably surprised, weren’t you, Jackson ?” Mr. Temple asked the question the morn- ing after the supper and the ride through the city. “I expected to see bloodshed, if not mur- _ der, there last night.” “Yes,” Iaughed Bert, “but the crowd did not know which one wasethe governor, and the officials sneaked pop up some back alley and got him into the committee-room before the strikers caught on. I waited around and put in a.word when I could. I meant to dis- tract their attention until he was safe. if pos- sible.” “You are a good son, Bert. I fancy you 15 would make a good husband,” said the man- ager, thoughtfully. “Own up, my boy; have you ever thought of marrying?” ‘Sure! Who hasn’t?” laughed Bert. “But I’ll be serious, Mr. Temple. How can I ever think of marrying when I’m in love with Marion ?” Mr. Temple smiled sadly. He was in ex- actly that position himself. He adored his star, but she was as indifferent toward his suit as she was to all her lovers, “Why not try to love some one else?” he said, after a minute. “You are young, you know, Bert; you ought not to be so firm in your opinions. There is some nice young girl waiting for you somewhere.” “I wish I believed it,” said Bert, very so- berly. “A month ago I’d have said let her wait, but I’m beginning to see that my case is hopeless with Marion.” “I doubt if Miss Marlowe will ever marry,” replied Mr. Temple. “She certainly will not for some years, at any rate. She takes the subject of matrimony far more seriously than most young girls, and she’s quite right, too; it is a very serious matter.” \, “You bet it is! Oh, I’ve thought about it a lot! I suppose I’ll. get married some time, but I’m going slow—for dad’s sake as much as my own,” he added. “Miss Ellis is a charming.girl,” said Mr. Temple, after a minute. Bert put his hands in his pockets, and an- swered briefly: “Very charming, Mr. Temple.” “She’d make a splendid wife, Bert.” “Think so, Mr. Temple ?” sag she’s stuck on you, my boy!” he went softly. S Pteeett ’ was the prompt answer. “You are dreaming, Mr. Temple.” “Well, then, there’s Miss Leland, the little soubrette,” SHapested the manager, with a twinkle in his eye. “She gives one the im- pression that she is willing to get married.” “I hope she may have luck,” drawled Bert, good-naturedly, : “And Miss Maitland’s s glances are indica- tive of unutterable things,” went on the man- ager. “That’s right!’ blurted Bert. “They are inutterable, old man! Why, if that blond- COMMICOOOKS.cO© im