Marion Marlowe in St. Louis, or, A Forger's Bold Deed

# Marion Marlowe in St. Louis; or, A Forger's Bold Deed

This issue features "Marion Marlowe in St. Louis; or, A Forger's Bold Deed" by Grace Shirley, a serialized theatrical drama. The story follows two young actresses, Lou Leland and Mabel Maitland, recently hired by the Temple Theatrical Company in St. Louis for minor roles. The narrative opens with Lou and Mabel plotting to break up the romantic attachments within the company, specifically to separate Marion Marlowe (the star) from Dr. Reginald Brookes, whom Lou wishes to pursue. Their scheme involves fabricating love letters to convince Brookes and comic actor Bert Jackson that Marlowe has a secret lover. Lou recruits an unnamed male acquaintance in the city to ghostwrite romantic letters in masculine handwriting. The tale develops as a melodrama concerning deception and romance within a theatrical troupe.