Marion Marlowe's Cleverness, or, Exposing a Bold Fraud — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

LG : MY QUEEN. brought the dessert, but there were no more meaning glances exchanged between her and young Stanton. Immediately after luncheon Marion re- turned to her aunt’s room. The dressmaker had called, and the young country girl’s taste was frequently brought into requisition by the fussy .and widow. As soon as she could, Marion slipped away. She was eager to begin a search of the prem- ises. Young Stanton had gone out with the un- dertaker again, and now all that remained was to get rid of Gregg and the maid-ser- vant. " a As Marion entered the dining-room noise- lessly she found the two together, but much to her surprise, Nannie, the maid, had evée dently been crying. Mrs Gregg made an excuse to leave the room at once, and the instant she was gone Marion walked straight over to Nannie. “What is it? What has happened?” she asked, very kindly. ‘While my aunt is ill I am in charge here, Nannie. What has Mrs. Gregg been saying to you—do not hesitate to tell me?” For a second the young girl tried to con- trol her feelings, but her emotions overcame her, and she burst out in fresh weeping. “Oh, miss!” she sobbed, brokenly. “Faith it is an awful sin that I am after kaping on my soul, but I am afraid of her, miss—her eyes are so black and scorching!” “See here, Nannie!” said Marion, firmly, as she caught the girl by her shoulders, “you must tell me what is the sin that you have on your soul; and remember, | promise that no one shall harm vou! Do you hear me? You must’tell me; and I swear that I will protect you!” The young girl commenced to shiver and shake now, and her big, staring eyes were fixed upon the door through which Mrs. Gregg had just vanished. As quick as a flash, Marion rose and closed the door. As she did so she heard the rustle of a woman’s dress and knew only too well that Gregg had been listening. Without the slightest hesitancy she turned thoroughly unreas@nable the key in the door and eee went back to weeping Nannie. “Now, child, tell me all—every Pd ”” she said, sweetly. “See, Nannie—look in my~ face, and see if you cannot trust me! Don’t you think that I am capable of defending you from that woman ?” The terrified servant did as she was bid. As she raised her eyes to the brave, beautiful face she seemed suddenly to throw off the dreadful spell that bound her. “Oh, she said she would tell the priest — that I did it,” she cried, happily; “but you haye the face of the Blessed Mary! OR 4 know you will protect me!” are CHAPTER IX. A VIOLENT LOVE SCENE. When Marion Marlowe returned to her aunt her cheeks were as white as snow, and her beautiful gray eyes had become suddenly hollow. She moved and spoke in a sort of dream, but every word was measured and every action carefully guarded. Nannie’s confession had told her a great deal, but there was still much to be learned in the terrible tragedy, The thing to do now was to get Nannie away. She must be put beyond the reach of other influences at once. Marion dreaded to have her in the house another moment. Mrs. Stanton was still busy trying on her mourning garments, so Marion had time to put her plans into operation. There was one thought in her mind—she must see Mr. Everett. It was imperative that he should immediately hear what she had to tell. | Standing alone in the library, she tried to think how she could see him. It would hard- ly do to go to his door, and she could think of no plausible message. to send to him, As she stood in deep meditation Arthur Stanton entered. He tossed his soft felt hat upon the table and sank into a chair wearily. Marion controlled her feelings by a won- derful effort as she, too, sat down in an easy chair almost directly in front of him. There was no such thing as seeing Mr, Eomichooks. com