From Farm to Fortune, or, Only a Farmer's Daughter — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. 9 “New York,” echoed Marion, in a fright- ened whisper. “That’s a big citv, Bert! Are you sure you ought to go there?” “The bigger the better,” said the boy, smil- ing bitterly. “I’ve got to lose myself for awhile, you know, so that brute cannot find me.’ He nodded ee? the Poor Farm and Marion understood the gesture. “T hate him!” she said, with a stamp of her foot. “I’ve hated him ever since he hit you that day, the monster!” “Well, he’s hit me a good many times since,” said Bert, slowly. There was a hard ring in his voice that cut the air like a bit -of metal. “Have you any money, Bert?’ asked Ma- rion, after a minute. “Not a cent,” said the boy, doggedly; “but I reckon I can earn some. I'll have to steal my ride sai ute city, that’s the part that’s both- ering me.’ “No you won't!” said Marion, “Tve_got: five dollars, Bert! back to the house with me! do it!” » stoutly. Quick, come You've got to “Oh, I can’t take your money,” began Bert, but Marion stopped him. “You shall take it. Come!” she said, commandingly, as she caught his arm and almost dragged him toward the farm-house. Leaving Bert hidden behind a clump of lilacs in the yard, Marion crept stealthily around to a side door and into the house to get her five dollars. ) A lamp was burning in the sitting-room, and as Marion passed she glanced up at the clock. She had been out over two hours, while every one else was in bed and sleep- ing. Marion found the money in her own cham- ber, and then tip-toed to Dollie’s. Her anx- iety for her sister was making her almost nervous. 3 She peered into the room, which was clear- ly lighted by the moon. Her sister was not there. rumpled but empty. . Marion flew down the stairs and through the side door to the yard. “Bert! Bert!” she called wets but no- _ body ppomened. The bed was - has happened?” she whispered to herself. “There’s something wrong; it’s in the air! I know it! I feel it!” A soft step on the walk made her turn expectantly. Bert Jackson was just behind her. He had been in the kitchen. He explained it by whispering that he had been after a drink of water. Marion did not os a thought to this fact while her mind was in such a whirl; she only hurried to him quickly and gave him the money. “Oh, Bert,” find Dollie! know where! her!” Bert looked at her in surprise, but there was no time to lose. He must be off at once if he expected to catch the train from Hays- ville. “T'll let you hear from me, Marion, in some way,” he whispered gratefully. “And if any- thing. has happened to Dollie, you can count on me. I'll never forget you, Marion, you are such a friend to a fellow!” “Take care of yourself in New York, Bert,” said the girl, tremblingly, “and who knows what may happen in that lovely big city?” “Good-by, Marion,” answered Bert, “I’m “Oh, dear, what she said, in agony. “I can’t She’s gone somewhere, I don’t She was in bed when [I left sure something good must happen.” He darted away and Marion went back to the house. There was not a sign of her sister's returning. Suddenly Marion made a discovery that nearly turned her brain. Every article be- longing to Dollie’s Sunday wardrobe was missing. In other words, she had dressed herself in her best when she went, and this fact was significant even to a girl like Marion. Darting downstairs, the frightened girl awoke her father and mother. “Dollie has gone! She has run away!” she cried inagony. “Oh, father, come quick and perhaps we can find her!” But not a trace of Dollie could be found, nor was Mr. Lawson, their boarder, to be found on the premises. Marion set her teeth hard when she made this discovery. “They’ve gone together! He’s took her!” CORnNIGLOOOKS. Conn