Marion Marlowe's Courage: A Brave Girl's Struggle for Life and Honor — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. 3 think of the likes of you comin’ into my house! You’ve got nerve and to spare, Miss Marion Marlowe!’’ | She glanced at the sisters as she spoke, but as neither of them answered she went on with her vituperations. “Did you think because you gave your names as Miller that the truth wouldn’t leak out? Well, that shows how much you know, you little ninnies!) Why, I’d have caught on myself if I ever read the papers! The de- scription of you would have given me the tip at once if I'd happened to see it!” “If you had read the papers you would _ have scen that we were not to blame for our musiortunes,” said Marion, coldly; “but you cannot blame us for not wishing to be known. We are only simple country girls, we do not wish to be stared at as curiosities,” “Oh, I guess you ain’t so simple as you look,” sneered the woman. “Girls that run away from home with city chaps ain’t so very siniple, or innocent either.” “Hush!” cried Marion, sternly, “not an- Other word, madam! You are talking about something which you do not understand! This is my room, and I insist upon being treated with courtesy.” ; Marion’s cheeks glowed like fire as she glared back at the woman. For Dollie’s sake she would as readily have confronted the very demon of evil himself. “And this is my house, and I want you to leave it!’ was the woman’s prompt answer. Tl not harbor such creatures another night, if I know it!” | Marion took a step forward, her face be- coming covered with a death-like pallor. “Another word if you dare!” she said in a vibrating whisper. The woman glanced sharply at the set lips and gleaming eyes, and seeing something in the young girl’s manner that thrilled het cowardly soul, she shrank back with a move- ment that took her over the threshold. As quick as a flash Marion shut the door in her face. “You shall get out to-night!” screamed the woman through the door. Marion opened the door again and faced her sternly. “I paid you eight dollars to-day for a week's board in advance. We shall be ready to go when you have returned my money!” “You'll not get a cent!” roared the woman, furiously. “You shall go out penniless, you brazen hussies !” Marion’s lips ‘curved in a disdainful smile as she closed the door. “You heard what I said, madam,” was her only atlswer. CHAPTER: i, A WOMAN REPORTER, Five minutes later there was another tap on Marion’s door. She opened it at once without the slightest hesitation. “Oh, it is you, Miss Allyn. Come in,” she said pleasantly. “We are just packing up, but, as you see, it will not take us long. Do sit down, and Dollie and I will be through in a minute.” The young lady who had entered was a - woman of striking appearance. She was about twenty-five, of medium height, but not at all handsome. The attractive feature about her was the shrewdness in her eyes, which were as keen as an eagle’s, and yet pertectly frank and fearless. “I heaxd that old termagant talking to you just now,” she said, bluntly, “and I came to pat you on the shoulder, Miss Miller. Don’t you budge an inch until she gives you back your money.” “T wouldn’t if it wasn’t for Dollie,” said Marion, sighing. “I can’t permit Dollie to be insulted, and if you overheard the con- versation you know who we are, Miss Allyn.” “I've known it ever since you came here,” said Miss Allyn, pleasantly, “and I’ve been hoping that she wouldn’t get on to it.” “You knew and yet you did not tell?” cried both Dollie and Marion together. “What do you take me for?” was the an- swer, with a shrug of the shoulders. “Don’t you think I know enough to mind my busi- ness, and, besides, is there anything about me that looks like’a snake 2” ‘No, indeed, there is not,” said Marion. promptly, “but most women would have thought it fine to be able to tell such a secret.” “Humph!” sneered Miss Allyn. “That's why I despise women. They’d die if they COMIC OOO SS (C (0)