Marion Marlowe in Salt Lake City — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

+o ners their connubial bliss! TI should imagine that three wives would make a perfect para- dise for a man, and what must it be when he has a dozen!’’ : Marion had to smile, for her friend was positively vicious, but the serious look in her eyes had not faded for an instant. “Oh, but they do not all live together!” she cried. “Even when polygamy was law- ful the most of them had separate establish- ments, and now, as my.visitor said, only one wife is lawful if the other marriages took place after the law was passed.” There was another rap on the door and Miss Allyn opened it. Miss Ellis came in with her eyes almost popping out with ex- citement. : ; “Oh, girls! The Spanish-American war is on again for fair! Quick! Come into my room and listen a minute. Dr. Brookes and Mr. Temple are having it hot and heavy, and it’s all about Marion going out with a Mor- mon! I heard every word of it right through the transom.” “But you shouldn't have listened,” began Marion, anxiously. “Why not? Wasn’t I in my own room, Vd like to know! If they didn’t wish me to hear why didn’t they adjourn to the cellar? I'm sure there wasn’t the slightest danger of my following them!” retorted the ingénue. “Well, inasmuch as you heard it all, you can tell us,” said Miss Allyn, calmly, as she shut the door. ‘Is it an out and out ‘scrap,’ or just a battle of words? If it 1s the genu- ine thing, I’m betting on the doctor!” “Oh, he’ll win, hands down,” laughed Miss Ellis, merrily, ‘but I won't tell a word until Marion answers one question. I want to know who his job-lots was, | mean the distinugé duffer with the whiskers ?” ()nce more there was a tap upon the door and, as Marion opened it, she took a carl from the bell-boy, which she passed over to Miss Ellis. “That is the gentleman’s name,” she be- gan, when Miss Allyn interrupted her, “And he’s a bright and shining light in the Mormon church, Lena. He has three wives and seven children, and now the miserable scoundrel has his eyes on Marion!” MY QUEEN. _. CHAPTER VI. °” TROUBLE IN THE COMPANY. Miss Ellis turned to stare at Marion, but the young girl had disappeared. She was on her way to the parlor to refuse Mr. Can- ton’s invitation. Half-way down the hall she came suddenly face to face with Mr. Temple. He was as pale as a ghost, and seemed highly excited. “You need not go down, Marion,” he said, abruptly. “I have made your excuses, and here is a note from Mrs. Canton. She will take you to the Tabernacle without him at my request, and I trust Dr. Brookes and Bert will have no objections now. For my part, I can see nothing wrong with Canton. He was a polygamist once, but all that is over. At present he is a law-abiding citi- zen and one of the most prominent men in Utah!” He was so thoroughly angry that Marion tried to calm him, although she could not help feeling grateful to Bert and the doc- - tor. > “IT am sure I have nothing against Mr. Canton nor any of the Mormons,” she said, sweetly. “It is not for me to sit in judgment upon them. Of course, I would not like to be entertained by a man who was in any way dishonorable, but I guess there will be no objections to my going with his wife. I shall insist upon Alma or some one accom- panying me.” She was walking slowly back to her room when Mr. Temple spoke again. He had taken a few rapid steps and now stood close beside her. ° . Marion glanced up into his face, and then took a sharp look around. She could see that her manager was about to say some- thine important. “Marion, what right has he, Dr. Brookes, to act as_your protector?” he asked, angrily. “Tam the manager of this company, is not that my position?” It was an awkward moment, but the young girl faced it bravely, “Vou are able to protect me, I am sure, Mr. Temple,” she said, promptly; “but Dr. Brookes was my frieml before I ever heard of you, so you must try to appreciate his comircbooks.com