Marion Marlowe's Skill, or, A Week as a Private Detective — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

10 MY QUEEN. “What is it?” asked the fair girl, as she saw the change in her face. “My dear, do you wish to do some work 2” asked her hostess, quickly. “I have just thought of a position that I know you could fill! You are so wise and sensible, and so just to others. My brother would simply be delighted if I could prevail upon you to do it!” Marion looked at her eagerly. She was evidently very much in earnest. | “I am sure I shall be delighted, Miss Mer- ton,” she began, and then stopped suddenly. It had occurred to her that she could not take any position just at present, for she was devoting several hours a day to her singing lessons. Miss Merton comprehended the situation at once. “Tt will not interfere with your music at all,”” she said, rapidly. “You can do it in the hours that you would devote to exercise. It is only something that will occupy you but two or three hours daily.” “Do tell me what it is!’ said Marion, eag- erly, “for if that is all the time it requires, I shall be very glad to undertake it.” “Two dollars a day,” whispered Miss Mer- ton, with a business-like nod. “That a tot,” shall be glad to earn it. "Just at present I am laughed Marion, “and I drawing on my bank account very heavily.” Miss Merton drew her chair a little nearer ; then she leaned forward and whispered in the girl’s ear for a moment. As Marion lis- tened her cheeks flushed and her eyes began to sparkle. Long before the last sentence was whispered she was trembling with ex- pectation. Orn wy wl" Miss Merton finished. “It is the highest aim she exclaimed, quickly, as ‘- ‘ « Pca ~~ vets of mv life to right wrongs,” she said, earnest ly, “and in the work you mention I shall : oP have ample opportunity, tween,’ said Marion, soberly. “Well, you have an extraordinary nature,” _ laughed Miss Merton, happily. “Now, I -con- fess that I haven’t much taste in that direc- © tion, for, as I said before, Tom has all the — graces of the family.” “I must be excused for not believing that,” _ said Marion, archly, “although I am sure that your brother must be lovely, Miss Mer- ton, and it will be a pleasure to me to feel that I am helping him. Yet it is such a pecu- liar line of work—it almost scares me to think Or it” “Oh, I fancy it’s not hard,’ was Miss Mer- ton’s answer. “It’s just keeping your eyes open for the dishonest ones in the store. That is really all it amounts to, Miss Marlowe.” “Let us hope that they are few and far be- “For of alk distressing things, dishonesty is the worst! Sometimes, do you know, I find myself al- most loathing a dishonest person, and that is not the spirit with which to approach them.” “You will be both just and generous—I am sure of that,” said Miss Merton, and as Marion rose to'go she added, sweetly: “And you must come down this evening and talk with Tom; but I warn you, dearie, not to fall | in love with him!” “As if you could stop me,” was Marion’s “Why, Miss Merton, I do believe I am half in love with him al- laughing rejoinder. ready !” Miss Merton closed the door with a happy smile on her lips, and as she moved about the room she whispered softly: ‘The dearest girl in the world! If Tom ever marries, I hope it will be a girl like Marion Marlowe!” CHAPTER VI, THE SECRET ERRAND. That very evening Marion made the ac- He was the buyer of laces and neckwear in one of the j GOmIiGQVOOKS.;GomM quaintance of Tom Merton.