Marion Marlowe in St. Louis, or, A Forger's Bold Deed — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

hard evening, and she was worn out with ex- ‘eitement. Dr. Brookes had shown his hap- pin ess so plainly in every look and word that ‘She almost pitied the noble fellow for loving ve deeply. On the other hand, Archie Ray had been ‘strangely depressed. He had been silent and almost morose ever since the explanations. It had begun to snow, and, as Marion and Miss Allyn reached the stage door, they found hat the manager had carriages waiting. “We will go together, Alma,” whispered Marion, softly; “J really can’t endure a /efe- -féte with any one to-night. I am too upset ver Miss Leland’s treachery. | » “She'll go home in a carriage, I dont think,’ was Miss Allyn’s answer, as_ she fucked Marion’s arm under her own. ‘The ricky little minx has gone off in the snow slone. Oh, isn’t it wonderful how some girls ean be so foolishly wicked?” Dr. Brookes had handed them into the car- riage, and then both he and Archie Ray en- red, and the four began at once to discuss le situation. ‘Suddenly the carriage pulled up with ter- ‘rific jerk, and the doctor put his head out of 1e window to see what was the matter. after a glance. “They are railroad men, | suess, and they are blocking up the street. Ve'll have to turn back or wait until the ar- Tival of the police.” “Oh, let us turn back, by all means,” cried ‘Marion, quickly. “It is dreadful to have to See all this fighting and quarreling; and, be- ‘sides, [ am sure it is a little dangerous.” _ _ The words had hardly passed her lips when bd tone crashed into the carriage. _ It fell in Marion’s lap, but, fortunately, did no damage. “Turn back at once, driver !”’ ‘tor, sharply. Another stone whizzed by and struck the ‘Side of the carriage. It was evident that the rioters were aiming recklessly. There was a plunge of the frightened hotses and then a sharp, dangerous turn, then ‘the glare from an electric light lit up a group Of the strikers. _ Marion-leaned forward quickly and a cry passed her lips. Oh, doctor! There is Miss Leland right tm the middle of that mob! Do look at her, yuick! She is acting so strangely !” ‘There was another slfarp order, and the Carriage stood still. In one brief glance the young physician comprehended the whole sit- uation. . |. She has been drinking,” he said, quickly, “and she is in an awful position! Shall I try called the doc- MY QUEEN. ‘There’s a mob on the corner,” he said, ' 25 to rescue her, Marion, in spite of all her wick- edness?” Without waiting to answer, Marion opened the door of the carriage. The next second she had sprung to the ground and was forc- ing her way to the sidewalk. Right in the glare of the arc light stood Miss Leland, with her red hair flying. She had lost her hat’ and cape and was crying pitifully. A crowd of half-grown boys and men surrounded her, and were jeering her coarsely, but they stopped in an instant as they caught sight of Marion. “Come!” said the young girl, sweetly, as she took Miss Leland by the arm. “This is no place for you, Miss Leland! Quick! Get into the carriage!” Dr. Brookes was already on the sidewalk, and in an instant he had the soubrette’s other arm and, between them, they lifted her bodily and placed her in the carriage. Marion sprang in after her, and the doctor slammed the door. The next moment he was on the box with the driver, and the carriage was speeding away in the opposite direction. Marion and Miss Allyn put Lou to bed when they reached the hotel, and then took turns in watching over her until she was thor- oughly sober. Marion Marlowe’s beautiful eyes were look- ing into hers when the soubrette awoke at eleven o’clock in the morning. For the first few seconds she could hardly believe her senses; then, for some unaccount- able reason, she burst into a paroxysm of weeping. “Do you mean this, Miss Marlowe?’” she stammered, as soon as she could regain her voice, “do you mean that you are my friend and that you really forgive me?” “T do, indeed,” said Marion, earnestly. “And, oh, Miss Leland, I do hope you will stop drinking! It will ruin your life! It is already ruining it!” “T know it,’ murmured the soubrette, “and I'll try to stop, Miss Marlowe; I will, indeed, if you will only help me!” Marion bent and kissed the girl’s flushed cheek. “T will tell you the truth,’ Lou burst out, suddenly. “I will tell you every word about that letter, Miss Marlowe—even though I lose your respect and friendship entirely !” “You will not do that if you tell me the truth, said Marion, soberly; “it is only un- iruths that I despise—lies, deceptions and treachery.” ees Lou sat up in bed and told her all, even to the fact that Mabel had taken her vulgar lover from her. , “Now, that is the truth,” she said, with a Go NOOKS AUUC (C©)