Marion Marlowe in St. Paul, or, The Company's Mascot in a Double Deal — page 12: what you’re looking at

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10 know, in a great many cases, he cannot prove who were the senders.” “You will accept them, then, eventually, won't you, Marion?” asked Mrs. Burnside, curiously, “Never!’’ was Marion's determined an- swer. “I don’t even wish to see them! Why, Mrs. Burnside, don’t I know what they mean? Not one of them was proof of honest appreciation! They were all bribes to lure me! Temptations to dazzle my eyes and make me forget that I am an honest girl! No, indeed! I will never, never, accept them! ] ee feel absolutely guilty if they were in y possession !” -OWelL you may be right,’ was the lady’ S thoughtful answer. “Still, there are other ways of looking at it, I think, Marion.” “I'd keep them for spite!” broke in Miss Ellis, scornfully. “But, then, I’m not’ as honorable in my sentiments as Marion!” “Oh, don’t say that! You are, indeed, girlie!’ cried Marion. ‘You are only jest- ing when you say you would keep them. You would not keep them a minute! You know vou wouldn't!” “Well, I would, mighty wick! eS up Miss Allyn, promptly. ‘And, wha ore, (’'d put them all on and fairly dangle them hefore the eyes of the idiotic givers; and then I'd turn up my nose at them and let them whistle! Oh, there are times when | am positively lost in admiration of women whom the world calls adventuresses! The successful ones, 1 mean, who fairly bank- rupt men! They are the only women in the world who get square with the creatures!” “They should be punished, of course—the men who tempt the innocent, I mean,” said Marion, thoughtfully; “but why not let the law deal with such wretches, Alma? Neither you nor I nor any lady wishes to soil her fingers by handling’ their bribes! It is too disgusting ! too terribly lowering!” “Hello, girls! Is he safe?” called out Bert lackson’s voice at that minute, with a | Marion turned to look for her visitor. and, start, 7 “Oh. Bert, he’s gone! He's run away! she cried, remorsefully ; “and I only took my eyes off of him one tiny little minute! Miss Allyn sprang to her feet and gave a room. sharp glance around the MY QUEEN. “Catch him, somebody! And be quick about it!’ she called out, instantly. “The mascot has escaped—and that isn’t all! He’s vamoosed with the diamond ring—the little 1? rascal ! CHAPTER VI. TWO MASTERS. “Well, how did she take it, ‘Jackets? ” Mr. Archibald Tupham asked the question of the boy as he met him on a street corner exactly an hour after the child’s exit from the dressing-room. “It’s no go,’ was the prompt answer; “the actress won't look at ver! Gotter tink of sumthin’ ‘sides mash notes ter ketch dat legey} iy “Is she pretty, ‘Jackets?’ ” The boy gave a whistle that could have been heard a mile. a. “Is she? She’s er peach!’ was the en- thusiastic answer. ‘“‘W’y, de gen-ooin’ stars ain't in it wid dat fake star, see! She’s de purties acktress on de stoige, an’ don’t yer fergit it; but she’s er game one, I tell yer! She’s onter yer, boss! . Gotter ketch ’er on de level, or else not ketch ‘er!” re “Oh, I see! I must get an introduction,” remarked the man, shrewdly. “Well, how about Hobart’s note—did she take to that kindly ?” | The boy made a grimace that was expres- sive of honesty, at least. “Naw, she trun him down, too. Dere ain't needer of ver in it!” he said, delightedly. ‘Hol’ on, boss!” he went on, as Tupham moved away. ‘“Dere’s a gal in de company, de soobret, call er! She'd help yer ketch on in er minit. She's got it in fer Miss Marler.” “What's her name?” \Ir. Tupham asked the question with a cunning look in his eyes. “Lida Watson,” said the boy, with unusual alacrity. Then he put his hands in his potk- ets and started off in the opposite direction. “Mighty particular, for an actress,” mut- tered ‘Vupham, as he walked along; “but I know what I'll do—I'll appreach her through wy COmic OOKS. GoM dey