Marion Marlowe's Disappearance, or, Almost a Crime — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

- 2 MY QUEEN. not over-popular clubman and “all around sport,” shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. He had caught the gleam from the black eyg¢s, and, recognizing their owner, was in no hurry to answer the question. “We were talking of Marion Marlowe, the star actress in this show,” spoke up the man’s companion, quickly. “I said she was ‘all right, and he says--—” “I heard what he said,” broke in the gen- tleman, excitedly. “He said that all actresses were alike, and that none were decent, and, if he was a gentlernan, I would give him my card at once, but as he is only a cad, I will give him a horsewhipping instead !” As he spoke, he stepped quickly toward a | private carriage that was standing at the curb, and, as he did so, the coachman leaned over with a grin, and handed him the horse- whip. “Better put that up, Archie Ray!” said the red-faced man, warningly, but the gentleman only tightened his hold on the whip and walked directly up to hum. “You are a coward to attack a woman's fair name,” he said, in a ringing voice; “and as it is by no means the first time you have done it—I’ve heard of you and your vile tongue before—I intend to give you some- thing that will make you more eareful in future!” He stepped back a little and raised the whip. “Touch shouted the man, hoarsely. me with that, if you dare!” “Cive it to him-—he deserves it! I heard what he said!” cried another gentleman, stepping out of the entrance. “Don’t spare him, Mr.. Ray,” begged the coachman from his box. “The hound in- sulted Miss Marlowe. He deserves it richly.” The youth who had been talking with the ~ The clubman was no friend of his; only a casual acquaint- man looked on with interest. ance. “Will you apologize for the words you uttered about the lady?” asked the holder of the whip, sternly. “I am a friend of Miss Marlowe, and I demand an apology.” “Her iover, I suppose,” muttered the man, with an oath. Then he continued, angrily : No! cent, and I say it again! No actress is de- “Apologize! I said she wasn’t de- cent! They are bad, the whole lot of them!” The words had not passed his lips when a beautiful girl stepped out of the theatre to the street. | As her foot touched the flags she saw a small group of men at one side of the door; then there was the swish of a horsewhip through the air and a stinging blow. She was in time to see that it was her own escort who had delivered it. Once, twice, the lash descended about the fellow’s shoulders, then the young girl darted forward and put her hand on her friend's arm. “Oh, Mr. Ray! Don’t!* she cried, in an- guish. ‘‘Whatever he has done, pray, pray don’t strike him!” “He deserves it, lady,” said one of the by- standers, “He called you names and said you wasn't decent.” | Marion Marlowe bit her lips, while her - face turned as pale as death, This man had insulted her, and it was for this he was being punished, ecomichbook