Marion Marlowe's Triumph, or, In Spite of Her Enemies — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

12 “It couldn’t be better,” said the manager, softly. “It will give me a chance to meet the girl without any one dreaming why I wish to see her.” “It isn’t that,’’ muttered Gordon, with a stifled groan. ‘What I don’t like is to think ot her. being with Vera.” CHAPTER YI. A COMPROMISING POSITION. Marion had felt a little sorry all day that she had accepted the invitation from Miss Villette to go to the theatre with her, but.as the hour drew near for Vera to call for her she began to look forward to an evening be- hind the scenes with considerable eagerness. Perhaps the thought of Ed Gordon had something to do with it, for it was more than probable that she would meet the handsome young actor, and she had finally discovered that he was really very attractive. As for Vera Villette, she hardly knew what to think of her. She was certainly impulsive, but Marion could not believe that she was bad or deliberately heartless. The young girl was so true and loyal her- self that she was slow in recognizing the baser traits in others—always preferring to think of them with sisterly charity. When they started for the theatre they were both in good spirits, and Vera was more than affectionate in her manner. Marion was dressed all in white, and was wondrously beautiful. Her eyes shone like stars from under a wide-brimmed white leg- horn hat. Compared with Vera Villette, she was like a pure white lily, while the Spanish girl resembled nothing so much as a gor- geous poppy. Claire Lemadrid, hurrying from her car- riage with her maid at her heels, caught just a brief glimpse of the beautiful girl who was VYera’s companion as they were entering the stage door. As she climbed the to the dressing-room she found two of her company stairs star's waiting for her. “coh, Miss Lemadrid, - 9)? ele oa me excused to-night?” asked of them. won't you please get Nona Nelson, VV ho was ome MY QUEEN. i 3 f _ course, J’ll never get a chance to prove it.” Miss Lemadrid looked at nae sharply, and then, in a business-like ‘voice, inquired : a “What for, Nona?” Be For the life of her, Nona Nelson pen not ~ say, but after stammering a minute, ba finally answered : . io “I—T am sick—or, at least, I don’t feel well,” she said, hesitatingly; “and I thought, just for once, Miss Ellis might go on in aay pry pitce:, 3 “Have you asked Mr. Thompson ?” “osken > Miss Lemadrid, with another keen look. | = a Thompson was the stage manager, and the _ one Nona should have asked, but it was the ta habit forthe girls to go to Miss Lemadrid. F She was more civil to them, and at least she | did not swear as Thompson did. “Yes, ma’am, I asked him,” said Nona, | dolefully; “but he only snapped at me, so. i= have come to you, Miss Lemadrid”’ 3 “And I will not ask .him to excuse you, *, * said the actress, promptly. “You are not sick — a bit, Nona, you are only faking.” ; She swept on toward her room with Nona “3 Nelson glaring after her angrily. Miss El- | lis, who had been waiting to hear the result, drew a long sigh of disappointment. “Just my luck,” she murmured. “She'll never give me a chance! I know I could play that part better than you, Nona, but, of | ~ .--m. ‘ o eh Sl < n> Po. Se 2 “s “You can't touch me in the part,” snapped | Miss Nelson, angrily; “but I was willing you should try, just to see you make a fool of yourself,” ” *“T guess you had other reasons, Miss Inso- | lence,” was her companion’s answer. — “You've probably got a date with some John- ny or other.” Miss Nelson would have replied, but just then Vera Villette called her, and she ran hastily to the little dressing-room that they occupied together. “First call!” came in stentorian tones from the bottom of the stairs. Both girls stripped off their street costumes and began putting on their stage gowns, — while Marion sat on a trunk and chatted with — them pleasantly, | “So she wouldn't let you off,” whispered — Vera in her friend’s ear, when she saw er opportunity. - comichboo ‘ * _— — on "