Marion Marlowe's Courage: A Brave Girl's Struggle for Life and Honor — page 14: what you’re looking at

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12 ; MY QUEEN. likely.to come here. You must go away quick, but, where, is the question.” “I won’t leave New York!” said Bert, de- terminedly. “You won’t have to,” said Marion. “You can easily hide in this big city. You must change your name and go to some lodging house for the present, then you must look for another job while you have the ten dol- lars; and Dollie and I will find some way to come and see you.” “ft know a place where I can go,’ said Bert. «It’s way over to the East Side, and I can get room and board for three dollars.” “Then go quickly,’ said Marion, “but leave the address, and remember your name is to be Bert Wilson.” “T’ll remember,” said Bert, grinning, as he scribbled the address. He started down the stairs saying good-. by to the girls cheerily. In two minutes he was back, his eyes flashing with anger. “They are out-there, Matt Tealcius and Siie,’ he whispered, “and they are coming in here just as sure as shooting!” “Quick! Get into these, Bert!” cried Mar- ion, sharply. She sprang to the door and turned the key, then began pulling some clothing out of a valise in the corner. “Tt’s the suit Miss Ray gave me the first night I met her,’ she whispered. “The skirt is so long that it will hide your feet and I’ve got a thick veil that will conceal your feat- ures.” Bert pulled off his jacket as quick as a flash. In two minutes he was dressed in Miss. Ray’s stylish garments. “They are down at the door talking to the landlady,” whispered Dollie, who was listen- ing at the key-hole. “Oh, I am sure they are coming up. Is he ready, Marion?” Marion grabbed Bert’s jacket and cap and tucked them under the mattress, then she cave him some old gloves and drew his veil a little tighter. “Take short steps and hold your dress up, just a little,’ she whispered, “now, then, sum up all your courage and pass them without a look. Ill detain them long enough to give vou the start of them.” 33 Marion opened the door safely, and Bert slipped out into the hall. There were two men and the landlady on the flight before him. ‘““He’d*come here, sure, if the gals air here,’ said the well known voice of Matt Jen- kins, the keeper of the Poor Farm. “Waal, the gals air here all right,” was Silas Johnson’s answer, “an’ I allow they know where Bert is right enough. The question is, kin we make ’em tell us?” “And what will you do with the boy if you catch him?” asked the landlady, anxiously. “Take him back tew the Poor Farm, where he belongs,” said Matt Jenkins. “An’ yew bet I'll lick him good fer puttin’ me tew all this trouble.”’ “Oh, you will, will you?” thought Bert, as he started down the stairs. . Marion walked out to the banisters and leaned over calmly. a “Some one looking for me, Mrs. Dean?” she calied out, pleasantly. “If it is, they can come right up; my sister and I will be glad to see them.” The landlady turned back with a sigh of relief. She was stout and heavy and climb- ing stairs was not to her roy “T hain’t so sure about yew’r bein’ glad tew see us, Marion Marlowe,” said Matt Jenkins, dryly. | As he spoke he looked up at the girl, and at that moment Bert passed him. “You are mistaken, Mr. Jenkins, I shall be delighted,” said Marion, smiling. “And Silas, too, why, this is really a great plea- sure.’ “Then yewr sentiments haz changed sense I saw yew last,” said Matt Jenkins, roaring. “Yew must ter larn’t manners sense yew come tew ther city.” “Oh, I’ve learned lots of things besides manners,” said Marion, gayly, “but walk right in to our humble room. I assure you I am really-and truly very glad to see you.” Dollie got up smilingly, and greeted the two.” “Qur room is not very large,” said Marion, politely, “but you can have the chair, and I will sit on the bed. She winked at Dollie as she seated herself firmly. Eomichbooks