Marion Marlowe in Washington, or, Meeting the President — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

\ 12 way! Something must be happening! Let’s go a little nearer and see what it is! It may be the President going back to the Capitol!” There was a hurried rush in the direction the excitement, then Bert suddenly stopped and tried to draw his charges back. The crowd was closing in around them and a dangerous crush was threatened. Then a squad of mounted blue-coats swept into view. They were breaking a path for the President's carriage. “Quick! Stand here!” yelled Bert, as he saw an opening just beside him. The grand cavalcade was fast approaching and the crowd was going wild. Marion had just caught a glimpse of a pair of prancing horses when her arm was jostled rudely by a rough-looking fellow. She paid no attention at first, and then something prompted her to look at him more closely. Never had she beheld such a vicious face! The features were set in a look of desperate cruelty, and the bloodshot eyes were fero- cious as well as cunning. He was slowly edging his way toward the very thickest part of the crowd, and, as Marion stared at him eagerly, she felt in- stinctively that he was waiting for some one. With a thrill of horror, she decided that it was the President..: of CHAPTER VII. “HERE COMES THE PRESIDENT.” There was no time nor opportunity to whisper her fears to Bert, for the young man was having all he could do to keep his charges together and, be ‘sides, the music of the bands was becoming deafening. The crowd pushed and jammed, and Marion was forced back toward the buildings; but, by a heroic effort, she managed to keep the man in sight, and, by standing on tiptoe, she could get an occasional glimpse of the gay paraders. Suddenly a_ great of the wedged itself in between her and Bert, and the next she knew, she was sti inding alone, with the excited people crowding upon her from all directions. mass crowd MY QUEEN. Marion's first thought was to call Bert's. name, and so direct him to her; butgwhen she saw the sea of faces, she felt that it would be useless, and after all, there was safety in such a multitude if only she could keep her feet so they would not trample on her. “Look out there! You're jamming this girl!” bawled a voice just behind her, and Marion suddenly felt a strong arm thrown protectingly over her shoulder. She tried to look up to thank him, but it was almost impossible and, for a moment, she could hardly get her breath, the jam was so terrific. “You're a stranger, I take it and you've been separated from your party,” went on the jovial voice. “Better let me get you out of this mess or I won’t answer for the con- sequences.” Marion was tempted_to acquiesce when she happened to catch sight of that hideous face again. The fellow she had seen betore was right ahead of her. He was still skulk- ing in the crowd, but now his face was more haggard than ever and he was fairly trem- bling with excitement of some kind or an- other. “Oh, no! I’ll stay and risk it!’ she an- swered, quickly. “Anyway, we could not get out now and, perhaps, my friends will find me! It was only about twenty feet away that we were separated, I think, sir!” “T guess you are right about not getting out,” laughed the man, “It’s the worst yam I ever saw, and I’ve been in a good many!” Another move of the crowd nearly swept Marion off her feet, but just at that minure she heard Bert’s voice shouting to her. “Marion! Where are you, Marion?’ he cried, at the top of his lungs; then the crowd roared heartily as he bawled out: “Pal give a complimentary ticket to the hest theatrical show in Salt Lake City to the person who will find my friend for me! I lost her ten minutes ago! Has any one seen her? You can’t mistake her. She’s the pret- tiest girl in the country!” Marion burst out laughing. She was glad Bert was so near her, but his remarks were, to say the least, a little embarrassing. But there was nothing to do but answer his Gomichooks.com