Marion Marlowe in Salt Lake City — page 16: what you’re looking at

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14 “Well, of all the stupid things! Did she forget to put on her number?” asked Alma, with a wink at Bert. “Seems to me that’s an awful oversight in a well regulated fam- vam Marion drew the first note from her pocket and compared them carefully, while the others looked on in breathless interest. “T can’t believe it,” said the young girl, finally. “Oh, I almost wish we had never come to Utah! It is a bit of experience that I shall always regret, this coming in contact with conditions that are so repulsive.” “And to think that people have lived and died and never known anything different,’ murmured Mrs. Burnside. Mr. Temple came in just then. The manager’s face was still pale, but he was try- ing to be as pleasant as possible, in spite of the resentment he felt against Dr. Brookes. “That sergeant has been court-martialed on the strength of your report, Marion,” he said, quietly. “I saw Colonel Hayes this morning and he says he shall be punished for his brutality. The colonel also says he hopes we will not fail ‘him to-night, as he wishes the ball to be the finest of the sea- son.” “T shall go with pleasure!” cried Marion, smilingly. “And I shall’ enjoy it far more, knowing that the sergeant is locked up, for, as Bert said, there was a look in his eyes as though he would like to get square with mé.° °°? “There are few safer places than a gar- rison of United States soldiers, I fancy,” began Miss Ellis. “Marion will be well looked after, I am sure,” said Mr. Temple, with a little anger in his voice, “for, of course, our friend, the doctor, will be eager to defend her!” “With my life, Mr. Temple!” was the young physician's answer, The words were that even Marion was said so earnestly startled. CHAPTER VII. AN FSCAPE FROM THE GUARD-HOUSE, The last ball that Marion had attended as the Inauguration Ball at Washington, w she entered the drill-room of the and, as MY QUEEN. barracks that night at about twelve o'clock. she could not help remarking the differ- ence. “Isn’t it a queer place?” whispered Miss Allyn, in her ear, “and how funny the flags do look swinging from such bare old raft- ers! Why, it would be a positive mockery to sing the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ here!” ~ “The soldiers look happy, though,” said Miss Ellis, softly; “and there are lots of handsome fellows among them. I intend to flirt desperately. I am going to do my best to make my sweetheart jealous.” “Oh, Lena, don’t!’ said Marion, quickly. “It would not be right when he loves you so dearly.” “Allow me to present Colonel Hayes,” said Mr. Temple, at that minute, and then Mar- ion found herself surrounded by a group of uniformed officers, each saying something pleasant and looking at her admiringly. The ball-room was fairly well filled, but it grew more crowded after that, and a mili- tary salute from the guns of the garrison was given at midnight. Marion was whirled off for the lanciers by the handsome colonel and, in a few min- utes, every one had forgotten the dreary- looking drill-room in the general jollifica- tion which the soldiers were making. “It is the gayest night I ever had!’ Mar- ion managed to say, as she was keeping time to the stirring music. “It was so kind of you, colonel, to invite us here! I would not have missed it for the world! It is per- fectly delightful!” “And you are the belle of the ball!” mur- mured the gallant colonel. “You have, in- deed, honored us with your presence, Miss Marlowe! Our boys are all overflowing with eagerness to dance with you!” “Oh, I wish I could dance a set with every one of them!” laughed Marion. “I do honor soldier boys so much; they are nearly all of them so noble—but I’m afraid the hours will not be long enough for that, and [ am sorry to say I don’t know any round dances!” “Rut there are others who wish to dance with you as well as the soldiers,”” went on the colonel, as the music stopped and he was leading h toa seat. “We have sev- eral hundred people here from the city, you comiecbooks.com