Marion Marlowe in St. Louis, or, A Forger's Bold Deed — page 19: what you’re looking at

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were possible to make the future always bright and joyous!” “Tf the kind wishes of my friends would do it, it would certainly be done,” answered the young girl, gratefully. “You are all so good and kind that I am positively ashamed to be unhappy.” , Miss Allyn and Bert had caught up with them now, and they all went around to the stage door, chatting and laughing gayly. The two new members of the cast were in their dressing-room when Marion arrived, but the door was closed and locked, as usual. CHAPTER IX. MYSTERY. Three days of their engagement had passed and Marion was still unable to trace the lost package of letters. | She grieved over them deeply, not only be- cause she would have been glad to read them again, but because she disliked exceedingly to _ have them read by others. “Whoever took them did so for a purpose,” said Miss Allyn, as they sat in their room in the hotel, talking over their mysterious dis- appearance. “Now, who in the world could have any in- terest in those particular letters? ‘There were _ others in the trunk from other friends. Why the mischief did they select Archie Ray’s and not touch the others?” 7 Marion shook her head. That was exactly what had been puzzling her. She knew of no one who could have any interest in Archie Ray’s letters. “T have a notion to tell Miss Ellis,” said Alma, again. “She might think of some so- lution, and yet it is doubtful. And she would a only worry, poor girl; she does love you so dearly, Marion.” eo love her,” said Marion, promptly. “She is‘one of the” truest, most loyal girls I know! Oh, why is it that Bert doesn’t fall in love with her!” “T can tell you if you wish me to,” said Miss Allyn, quickly. Marion’s round cheeks flushed, and she lowered her lids instantly. “No, Alma, don’t!’ she said, with a faint smile. “Bert is a goose to go on longing MY QUEEN. 17 for tha unattainable! I shall never marry; | am almost sure of it, Alma!” “Nonsense! What does a girl of your age know about her future capacity for loving, Marion? Why, with your disposition, you can’t help loving sometime! And how you will love! Deeply, desperately, passionately ! Oh, the man that wins your love will be a fortunate fellow! He will have all that ts possible in this world to make him happy ee Marion breathed a sigh. She could hardly believe it, yet deep down in her heart she was longing for just this experience. There was a tap on the door and Alma has- tened to open it. One of the supers from the theatre was distributing a batch of letters. “There are two for you and one for me,” she called out happily; “and, oh, what a lot he has for Dr. Brookes! He'll be glad to get them, for I presume they are from his pa- tients !” “Mine are from sister Dolly and Mr. Beer- ett,” said Marion, as she glanced at them. “I am so glad to get them, especially Mr. Ever- ett’s! Just think, we haven’t heard from him since we left him at Albany!” “Where he helped us out of that awful scrape,” added Alma, thoughtfully. “Well, I suppose he is back in New York working hard on his paper.” “And to think that you are never gomg back—to the newspaper work, I mean! Aren’t you very, very glad> Alma?” asked Marion, sweetly. “IT am, indeed,” was her friend’s low an- swer; “and vou would think my lover was, too, if you could read this letter! He says he is finding it unbearable to wait until Easter !” “How sweet such words sound! Oh, I do envy you, Alma! But go on, dear, I know you are longing to read your letter.” There was a silence for a few minutes, and then Miss Allyn folded her letter, and a sec- ond later Mrs. Burnside entered. “Girls! Girls! Have you seen the doctor ?” she asked, quickly. “I met him in the hall just now with a handful of open letters. His face was as white as a sheet, and he was so excited he did not see me!” Marion started from her chair in alarm. but her friend checked her. ECORNIECLOOOKS. EO im