Marion Marlowe's Triumph, or, In Spite of Her Enemies — page 22: what you’re looking at

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re be more to her some day—perhaps not—but as yet she was heart free. As to the future ‘—well, she knew that when she met the man, her heart would give her ample notice of the event. ‘ She began talking of other things as they walked along, but she was summoning all her wits to avoid a ¢éte-a-i¢te im the carriage. But try as she would, she could think of no excuse. She had no engagement to plead, and then she was truly glad to see him. After all, why should she dread hearing again that he loved her? There was a happy feeling in her heart that was reflected in her eyes, and as they walked along her face grew more and more beautiful. Archie Ray was so handsome— so true and so noble! Yet as she walked and talked she found herself as puzzled as ever. She could not say truly that she really loved the loyal fellow. There were old friends to be mentioned and old episodes to be talked over, and then Marion told him of her ambition and her op- portunity to be an actress. Mr. Ray looked grave when she came to the latter. the majority of the “professionals” disgusted — him. | “Tt will be a terrible life for you,” he said, as they entered the hotel parlor. ‘“They are the most jealous people in the world, and you, with your beauty, will be a target for their spears. I dread to think of you on the stage ; it will be a terrible experience !” “Oh, but if I triumph!” cried Marion, whose cheeks were tingling at his words. Mr. Ray looked at her admiringly before he answered. “You are bound to do that,” he said, with a smile: “but at what a cost of faith in human nature!” “T shall never lose faith in human nature while vou live, Mr. Ray,” she said, charm- ingly. “Vou and Dr. Brookes, Miss Allyn and Bert Jackson and one or two others of my loyal friends will always be able to pre- serve the balance. Mr. Ray smiled tenderly as he raised his hat. “Now for a carriage and a drive this glo- 2 MY QUEEN. He respected the profession, but | hey, ae rious day,” he said, brightly. “Please excuse me for just a minute, Miss Marlowe.” . Ten minutes later Marion left the hotel and was bustled into a carriage by her hand- | some companion. As they drove away a pair a of jealous eyes watched them, for Ed Gordon, — the actor, was standing in the hotel corridor. > . ‘ , ha - +34! Fs, CHAPTER XI. ing MARION’S STARTLING ANNOUNCEMENT, ae But the ride through the park ended with-— ws out any declaration of love, although the 2 words trembled on Archie Ray’s lips and he kK was longing to speak them. od = The ride ended with a luncheon and an oan rangement to accompany Marion to ‘the thea- — a | tre that evening to witness the acting es Claire Lemadrid. All that afternoon Marion studied the part that had been sent to her. She was wonder- : fully apt at learning, and had conquered two- 4 thirds of it before dinner. % That night at the theatre she studied Le- madrid carefully. Every word and gesture was noted and remembered. Over and over again as the “‘star” reached a climax Marion 3 leaned forward with dilated eyes, watching» a for a great portrayal of emotion, and in near- ly every instance she leaned back with a- sigh, for the actress had missed by a hair’s- 4 breadth the height and Bene? of her ae portunity. Early the next morning Marion called at | Mr. Temple’s office. This was in response _ to another note, which was even more urgent. | “You will be on hand at two o'clock, then,” — said the manager, as she left him, after a long conversation over the role in question. 4 “T will,’ was Marion’s answer; “but it | makes me tremble to think of it, sir. I can’t help feeling, some way, that your star will resent my presence, : “Nonsense, Miss Marlowe! But what if | she does? I am manager of this theatre, — I’ve had enough of Lemadrid and her jeal- ousies |” : He spoke decidedly and Marion felt that — he meant it; vet she could not rid herself of the feeling that Miss Lemadrid would be angry. “Tt must be one of my intuitions,’ cEomicboo : * she said — <S;, GOm :