Marion Marlowe's True Heart, or, How a Daughter Forgave — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. little flat and closed the door softly, leaving - Marion alone in their pretty parlor. “Oh, all alone, Miss Marlowe,” was Mr. “Well, my life I am deucedly lucky.” Colebrook’s greeting. for once in Marion looked up in surprise, but con- It had popped into her head to test her friend’s trolled her feelings wonderfully. lover a little. “Why do you think yourself lucky in find- ing me alone,” she asked, archly, as she went on arranging the furniture. “Because you are the sweetest girl that I ever met,” was the astonishing reply, “and I am lucky in having a chance to say so.” For a moment Marion could hardly be- lieve her ears; then a great feeling of pity for Miss Allyn swept through her every fibre. Almost. involuntarily she glanced toward the kitchen door, but it was tightly closed, so she breathed a little more freely. “Miss Marlowe—Marion,” cried Mr. Colebrook, suddenly, “have you no eyes to see how much I admire you? Why, I’ve been crazy with admiration ever since I met you. You are as beautiful as a saint, and I am desperately in love with you.” Poor Marion’s breath came with a little gasp now. It was almost impossible for a girl with her honest nature to grasp such a situation. Here was her best friend’s be- trothed husband actually making love to her. He had the open assurance to tell her that he loved her. As she stood almost paralyzed by her emo- tions, he seized her hand in both his own, and before she could stop him he had kissed it fervently. Suddenly one word issued from the pale girl’s lips. “Traitor !”’ She hissed it out slowly, her tone tense and vibrating. 13 The fellow. drew back as if he had been stung. The next instant Alma Allyn opened the kitchen door and stepped calmly between them, | CHAPTER VII. MARION RECEIVES A CALLER. “Thank you, Marion.” This was all that Miss Allyn said as she paused beside the two, her dearest friend and the man who was her lover. Her face was of a death-like pallor, and her eyes were gleaming, but there was nothing fur- ther to tell how terribly she was suffering. With the utmost coolness she drew the ring from her finger and was about to hand it to him, when she changed her mind sud- denly. I'll keep it,” “Tt will be a constant re- “No, I won’t give it back. she said, quietly. minder of a man’s perfidy. Any time when you want the price of it let me know. You are mean enough to ask for it,’ she said, with a shrug of her shoulders George Colebrook’s face was a study for a moment. He looked first at one of the girls and then at the other. “You had better go,” said Miss Allyn, coolly. “You can see that you are out of place. My friends, like myself, despise a traitor.” With a glance of hatred toward Marion, the fellow turned and fled. The moment he was gone, Miss Allyn dropped heavily on the sofa. ) “Tt has killed her!” cried Dollie, darting to her side. “She has fainted. was Marion’s answer. Bring some water,” “It is all for the best, dear; do try and think so,” urged Marion a few minutes later, when Miss Allyn opened her eyes. Gommicoool SHa(CO