From Farm to Fortune, or, Only a Farmer's Daughter — page 15: what you’re looking at

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12 There would have been people enough ready to accuse him if they had known of his visit to the farmer’s kitchen. “When one is down, everybody gives him a kick,” she said to herself. “Even poor, dear Dollie was not spared! Oh, how our own neighbors slandered my innocent sister!” Just as she finished her reflections the cab drew up before a handsome building. Mar- ion saw the words “The Norwood” in gilt letters over the door, and in another instant the cabman was at the window. “You sit here a minute, miss, till I see if he’s in,” he said, as he moved toward the entrance. He disappeared within the build- ing, leaving Marion trembling. with excite- ment. “It’s no wonder Aunt Susan’s husband never recognized us,” she whispered bitterly. “He’s rich and lives in luxury, while we are only poor farmers.. Oh, I do hope they won’t be ashamed of me just because of my plain clothes.” She looked down at her homespun dress with a sorrowful sigh. Then her face bright- ened a little as she reflected that at least it was tidy and very neat fitting. She was not to blame for her personal appearance. Five, ten minutes elapsed before the cabman reappeared, but when he finally came he had a colored man with him, who prompt- ly lifted Marion’s little trunk to his shoul- der. “This way, miss,” said the negro, and Mar- ion followed happily. Such proof of her uncle’s wealth made her heart beat more rap- idly. It did not seem possible that he could refuse the slight request she had come to make of him. Marion’s eyes grew even brighter as she stepped into the upholstered elevator and was carried to the top floor. | It was the luxury she had dreamed of during her whole life on the farm. She looked upon it as a friend. It neither em- barrassed nor startled her. At the door of a beautifully decorated apartment stood a middle-aged man. Mar- ion had only time to notice that he was bald and dissipated looking when he stepped for- MY QUEEN. ward smilingly and introduced himself as her uncle. “Your aunt is away at present,” he said- glibly, “but our housekeeper, Miss Gray, will attend to you, my dear. I am sorry, very sorry, that I missed you at the station.” “Then you were there!’ exclaimed Marion gladly. “Oh! I was sure you would come— but I ought to have taken off my veil before. I had sent you my picture so you would be ~ sure to know me.” “Well, you are here now, safe and sound,” ‘said the man rather awkwardly; “but, IT say, niece, isn’t it right that you should kiss your uncle?” 7a Marion glanced at him sharply and colored with surprise. There was something in his tone that offended her deeply. Should she refuse? The question flashed through her brain like lightning. She must win his good will in order to help Dollie. With this: - determination she stepped forward and kissed him-on the cheek. rae “Oh! not so cold a kiss, my beauty,” said the man with a leer; “a real love kiss for your uncle—like this!” he cried, bending over her. “Don’t!” cried Marion sharply, springing | back as she spoke. “Don’t look at me that way; it is not nice at all, and it makes me feel that you are not really my uncle!” She stood staring at him with dilated eyes, | and a thrill of horror coursed through her veins that she could not account for. | There was a rustle of heavy draperies and a handsomely dressed woman entered. “Come with me, my dear,” she said short- — ly. “Your uncle is not exactly himself to- — night. You see, he has just dined and has drank a little too heavily.” : Marion drew a long breath as she went im- | mediately toward the woman. She was glad that his action could be accounted for rea- sonably, but the horror was still there—she could not overcome it. The man did not make the slightest at- tempt to detain her, but Marion caught a significant glance which passed between the two, and her heart began beating so fiercely that it almost suffocated her. As soon as she was alone with the woman whom her uncle had called his housekeeper, Eomicbooks.com — " ase a oe