Marion Marlowe in St. Paul, or, The Company's Mascot in a Double Deal — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

AF . MY _ "I do, indeed,” was the quick reply. “Oh, what can I do to prove how much [ care, Miss Watson? I do so wish you to believe that I really care for you!” Miss Watson shook her head, and a tear actually sparkled on her lashes. “Tf you would only do something for me, Miss Marlowe! If you would only listen and sympathize with my secret.” Marion stared at her a minute. The change in her manner was mystifying. Then a sudden longing came into her heart to listen to her secret and to befriend her, if possible. The girl was alone, and she was only eighteen; besides, there was something in the soubrette’s. face that reminded her of her own twin sister, Dollie. What if Dollie were in a position like this? As the question flashed into ker mind, Marion put her hand on the young girl’s. shoulder. “What do you wish me to do, dear?” she. asked, very tenderly. Miss Watson raised her head and looked her squarely in the face. _ “T am in love, Miss Marlowe,” she said, in a curiously strained voice; “and I want you to join my lover and myself in a supper to-morrow night! I[f you will do this, Miss Marlowe, it will prove to me that you are sincere ; that you are really my sister-woman, as you just said. You see, we have been lovers a long time; but I did not wish any- one to know; and now—well—he wants me to marry him,” she went on, almost shyly. “And, oh, Miss Marlowe, I do so want your opinion of him! Come out with us, there's a dear, and don’t say a word to the others!” Her voice was so pleading, and her eves were raised so wistfully, that, just for a mo- ment, the young girl hesitated. “Do come, Miss Marlowe! You must see my lover! What harm can it do for us to go to a little supper? If you do not approve of him, here is a promise, Miss Marlowe—vou have only to say so, and I will have done with him forever!” The girl’s face was flushed as she spoke, and she was breathing heavily. As Marion gazed at her earnestly, she could not help believe her. QUEEN. - pered to herself. LS “Poor girl! you have no mother and no sister!’ she said, sympathetically. “Yes, | will go with you, dear; and then I will ad- vise you.” Miss Watson crowned her victory by a traitor’s act. She made an impulsive move~- ment and kissed Marion’s cheek. ‘Then, as the star was obliged to go, she held open the door for her. ~ The moment she was gone the soubrette dropped into a chair and stuffed a towel into her mouth to keep from screaming. ‘Who says I’m not an actress?” she whis: “That's one on you, you virtuous Saint. Marion!” CHAPTER VII ANOTHER MOVE IN THE GAME. “Gee whiz! boss, he’s corralled the soo- bret! Dey’re in de hash-house dis minute! Come an’ take er squint at ‘em troo de windy !” “Jackets” squeaked the words into Dan Hobart’s ear after standing on tip-toes before the brilliantly-lighted windows of a restaur- ant for nearly five minutes. . Dan Hobart’s turned abruptly. : “T'll take your word for it, ‘Jackets,’ ”’ he said, with a scrowl. “So he’s on to the same game; and, what's more, the first trick is his! Strange how he captured the soubrette, in spite of my letter!” The words were uttered savagely, but “Jackets” only whistled serenely. It was a trick of his trade to serve two masters, and, incidentally, himself, if the thing were pos- sible. ‘“"Spect I knows how he done it,’ he squeaked, after a minute’s silence, while he was trailing along in the wake of “masher.” . “How did he do it?” asked Hobart, sharp- lv, as he halted under an awning, where the electric lights were not so searching. ‘Why, I saw her at the stage door myself, and I’ve got her promise E He stopped abruptly. He was getting too confidential, but “Jackets” was not disturbed by his master’s manner. “Well, de oder feller wuz in er box an’ er the brow darkened, but he CoOmiIcoooks.c©