Marion Marlowe's True Heart, or, How a Daughter Forgave — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

12 made her reply. In spite of her great love, she was still able to reason. “I did trust him when I promised to mar- ry him,” she said, slowly, “but something has happened since that is puzzling me, Mar- ion. George is not the same man that he was at mother’s funeral.” Marion’s lips framed a question that she did not ask. There was no need to ask it, for Miss Allyn was already answering it in- stinctively. “He wanted me to marry him as soon as -he got back from England, where he had to go on.business, he said, and that is why I decided to take this flat with Dollie, but in the last two days he has changed his mind. He is not going to England, yet he says nothing about our marriage.” Marion bit her lips and thought quietly She could see that her friend was suffering, and she dreaded to say any- for a moment. thing that would add to her sorrow. “He may be undecided,” she said at last, “or perhaps he is planning something differ- ent, Alma, but if I were in your place, I would come right out and ask him.” Miss Allyn was a trifle pale when she spoke again, and it was plain to Marion that she had doubts of her lover. “Tf I thought he did not love me, I would release him at once,” she said, quietly, “but he has professed to love me for years, so why should I doubt him?” “There is no reason why you should,” said Marion, firmly. ‘It is very probable that he is just waiting for something, some busi- ness matter or affair of some kind before he says anything.” “Well, | hope this suspense 1s tell you,” said Miss Allyn, smiling a little. it will soon be settled, for mighty unpleasant, I can “Why, for the first time in my life, Marion, I’m not fit to attend to business, “ . 9 1¢ : “Love affairs are dreadful things, said MY QUEEN. “T’m_ so glad that up to date I have never been af- Fettads” Marion, trying to laugh it over. “Oh, I’m not so sure,” said Miss Allyn, more gayly. “You were pretty sweet on Mr. Ray, and you may as well own it, and, by the way, is he coming back to this country ever ?” she asked. “They are to sail next week, he and Adele,’ was the answer, “but I shall be in the hospital then, so I suppose I can’t see them.”’ ’ “Love will find the way,’ quoted Miss “You can trust that Mr. Ray to find you, Marion.” Allyn, slyly. Dollie entered just then, evidently in a state of great excitement. ) “Oh, girls!’ she screamed, half crying, “I’m just frightened to death. I’ve broken my hand glass into a thousand pieces.” “That means seven years of bad luck,” “and a half a dollar to buy a new hand glass.” said Miss Allyn, laughing; “Never mind, Dollie,” said Marion, who | “You'll be earning six dollars a week after this, so it was not at all superstitious. won't take long to buy the new elass.”’ 4 | “Oh, but I’m to save every penny to buy my trousseau,” said Dollie, brightening. “You keep forgetting, Marion, that I’m go- ing to be married.” “There is little danger of her forgetting it while you are around, Dimples,” said Miss “You take pains to re- mind her of it every fifteen minutes.” Allyn, laughing. “Here comes Mr. Colebrook,” was Dollie’s whispered reply. “Quick, come out in the kitchen with me, Marion, so we won't inter- rupt the lovers.” ¥] “Nonsense!” cried Miss Allyn, as_ she darted toward the kitchen. “T'll go out there myself and see if he misses me.” Dollie followed her into the kitchen of the — Eomicbooks.com