Marion Marlowe in Salt Lake City — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

O é Alma, “The old gentleman has sent it in from force of habit. He may have a sneak- ing desire to making Marion number twen- ty!” “I saw his nineteenth wife on the street to-day,’ broke in Lena Ellis, the mgenué, at that moment, “at least, it was one of them. I’m not sure about her number, and say, wasn't she a forlorn-looking specimen! Why, she looked for all the world as if she had been dragged through a knot-hole and then turned around and dragged the knot- hole through after her!” “For heaven’s sake, Lena, where did you get hold of that saying?” asked Miss Allyn, curiously. “Is there a copyright on it, or is the patent applied for? I’ve seen funny- looking people myself, but none that an- swered that description!” “Oh, that’s a Yankee-ism. I got it from Bert,” retorted Miss Ellis, gayly. “He’s from Connecticut, you know, and they are full of such phrases up there! I mean to catch them all before Bert and [ are mar- ried! It is the most decided way I know of proving my affection!” “Hello! What are you people all look- ing at?” asked Bert, as he made his exit from the stage and came suddenly upon the group of watchers in the wings. Dr. Brookes had to go on, and, in a sec- ond, Miss Allyn followed him, so Miss Ellis was left alone to answer his question. “Whois his job-lots with the whiskers, sitting in the seventh row, main aisle, Bert?” she asked, quickly. “The doctor and Alma think he is Brigham doesn’t look a little bit like that enterprising Young. Now, he old gentleman!” Bert took a sharp glance through the peep-hole and then lowered his voice cau- tiously. “That is one of the high-muck-a-mucks " he said, out here. I don’t know his name, MY QUEEN. spitefully. “He’s in some Government posi- tion and stands in with the whole blooming garrison, in spite of the fact that he has three or four wives and a whole raft of poor, un- fortunate children!’ “Oh, Bert! But the law doesn’t allow that sort of thing nowadays,’ began his sweetheart. Bert looked at her and his lip curled scornfully. “Rats! Don’t you believe it, girlie! Why, it’s all the religion these poor women know, and what is the law to them? Why, they’ll have to pass an Edmunds bill for breakfast, dinner and supper and turn down a Mormon Congressman between meals if ey ex- pect to really stop it!” “And to think that he sits there ogling Marion!” gasped Miss Ellis, furiously. ‘Oh, Bert, I’d just like to make’ faces at him, and I declare I will, the minute’I get back to the footlights!”’ “What, and queer the show!” laughed Bert, He again and took another look at the audience. good-naturedly. leaned over There was the silvery tinkle of a bell and the curtain started to descend. » “Gee whiz! want to make a bet, They are going out! Do you Lena?” he asked, “T’ll give you ten to one or ina sharp whisper. anything else—that old duffer with the whis- kers is coming around behind the scenes to meet Marion!” CHAPTER III. MR. TEMPLE’S THEORY, It was exactly as Bert had said. In less than ten minutes Mr. Temple, the manager of the company, came in at the stage door in company with a handsome man of fifty who had just left his companion, the colonel. The second act was on and Marion was on the stage, so the two gentlemen took a posi- Eom Gomicboo S)