Marion Marlowe's Money, or, Brave Work in the Slums — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. I am dire: and he has seen me come from the bank! Just as like as not he will follow and rob me of my savings!” She had a small, shabby, black bag in her hands, which she clutched spoke, and in, an instant the young girl had She gave a sharp look tightly as she grasped the situation. at the fellow, who was a coarse, vulgar-look- ing individual, and then moved a trifle closer to the frightened old woman. “Where do you live?” she asked, ie “TI go home with you if you wish! Ifis not safe for a woman of your age to be carrying much money!” “Oh, it isn’t much,” said the old woman, shrewdly. “It is only a few dollars, but it’s all I’ve got in the world! If the wretch should steal it I'd have to go to the poor house!” “He shall not touch it!’ cried the girl, with spirit; “but perhaps it will be safer if I speak to this policeman !” There was a big, busly bluecoat standing on the next corner, but at Marion’s sugges- tion the old woman turned pale and actually trembled. “Oh, no, don’t speak to him!” she nae in a whisper. “I am sure you can protect me if you only will! . I wouldn’t call on him for the world—he would only say that I was silly. You see, these policemen stand in with all the rascals and rogues,” she added, know- ingly. “As like as not he’d rather the fel- low would rob me, for perhaps he would get half of the money.” The young girl stopped and stared at her. She had never before heard any one say such things of a policeman. “T am sure -you, must be mistaken,” said, rather sternly, she “I can’t believe that of the men who are our sworn protectors.” -‘] think you are somewhat green,” the old woman, irritably. The officer had moved away, so she was no longer afraid. said old hag’s boodle an’ I’m se OTR ter 3 “Come, hurry!” she said sharply, as she caught hold of Marion’s arm; “I live only three blocks away, just over on First ave- nue. Come home with me, please; I shall be so thankful to you! Oh, if I should lose my money I am sure I should go crazy!” Marion turned her head and gave a sharp glance behind them. 39 “Hurry as fast as you can,’ she said soft ly to the woman; “that fellow is coming! I !?? am sure he is following us! CHAPTER II. OLD MOTHER NANCE. Marion and her charge had nearly reached First avenue when with a few rapid strides the great, burly fellow passed them. There were very few people in sight and no policeman, but the young girl was walk- ing close to the old woman and was deter- mined to protect -her. Suddenly the man wheeled around and stopped directly in their path. There was a, sheer on his face as he stared straight at the old woman. | “Well done, Mother Nance!” a coarse laugh; he said, with “you're a corker, you are; but come, hand over that money !”’ “Never!” cried the old woman, in a high, shrill voice. She clutched the bag tightly in her skinny hands and crouched behind Marion for pro- tection. “How dare you!” cried the young girl; her “Don’t If you do you beautiful eyes flashing with anger. you touch her or her money! shall suffer for it!” The fellow took a sharp look around, but there was nothing to fear. dren playing in the street were the only be- ings visible. “Stand aside, miss!’- he said, coarsely; “I ain't got no quarrel wid you! I want that have,it!’’ A few dirty chil- OMMIELA@E) “S (S©)