Marion Marlowe's Disappearance, or, Almost a Crime — page 22: what you’re looking at

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20 kindly. “I want to be sure that you are truthful and worthy.”. “And 1f I am telling the truth, what then?” asked the old woman, warily. “Then I will help you and them,” was the young girl’s prompt answer. She motioned for the woman to get into the cab as she spoke, and then stood on the curb herself until she had given the driver his instructions. There was a gleam of exultation in the beggar’s eyes as she gave Marion the ad- dress, but it could easily have been set down She shrank back on the cushions as the beautiful girl sat down to an honest emotion. beside her—it was a novel position for a mis- erable beggar. A number of people had witnessed the af- fair and there were a good many conjectures as to the meaning of the occurrence. ‘“That’s Miss Marlowe, the actress,” said one passerby to another. “No doubt the old beggar has won her sympathy in one way or + another, or maybe it’s only another advertis- ing dodge like that shooting affair yester- 99° day. “That was no dodge!” spoke up a youth who had overheard the remark. “I saw the whole thing, and I tell you Watson richly deserves the horsewhipping that he got from the lady’s escort.” “Well, that’s all I’ve got to say! do anything in public that isn’t turned to these actresses are btetty foxy, They don’t often their advantage.’ ‘There are tricks in every trade buf yours said. the first gentle- —_ and mine, my friend,” — man addressed. “Well, she’s not tricky ; “T’ve she’s a lady!” said heard a lot about the youth again. Miss Marlowe’s kind heart. vetting into scrapes just by being good to Paes) She's always such people.” “Well, [ hope the old hag doesn’t poison, MY, QUEEN. her with her dirt. She was a miserable look- ing creature!” .said the first speaker, frown- ing. The three walked on as the carriage rolled away, but, just at that moment a beggar boy came hurrying along, his eyes wide open, staring after the carriage. “She's got ’er, by ginger! er!” he whispered, with a grin. It’s too bad! 1? . I orter warned ’er! CHAPTER Sik ; THE BEGGAR BOY’S NEWS. Uptown in her little home Dollie waited tor her sister Marion as the afternoon wore away, but at dinner time when she did not appear the poor girl was thoroughly tet: | ened. 4 Running out to the corner drug store she telephoned to Mr. Merton, only to learn that he had left Marion directly after their lunch- eon. git : When Ralph Moore, Dollie’s came home to dinner, he started out at once and hurried to the theatre. 4 _ Not a sou! could be found who knew aught of Marion, but, as Ralph was going home: disconsolately, he chanced to see a late edi- tion of the evening paper. What was his as- tonishment to find a brief paragraph which stated that “the charming actress, Miss Mar- ion Marlowe, was as eccentric as ever. had been seen driving rapidly uptown in a cab with a professional beggar.” Instead of going home Ralph went directly back down- town and an hour later a general alarm for Marion had been sent all over the city, ac- companied by descriptions of the cab and the wretched beggar. The evening, nervous to take her place, and every one, from the manager to the scene shifters, theatre for Marion's understudy was too joined in the search for the missing favorite. 4 “S Eomichoo Skinny’s got “Gee whiz! 3 “husband, a She remained in darkness that. sath s* Oe ee oe ‘ q