From Farm to Fortune, or, Only a Farmer's Daughter — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

"3 : . + Py ‘ . MY QUEEN. : she lost no time in telling the whole story of the cause of her journey. “My poor sister has been abducted by a villain,” she cried in conclusion, “and there is no one but me to rescue her from him! Oh, if I should be too late, I am sure it would kill me!” : we } .CHAPTER VI. THE PLOT OF A VILLAIN. a _ Adele Gray listened intently to the country - girl’s story, but not so much as by an ex- z pression did she show that she sympathized. _ She was a woman of twenty-five and would _ have been exceedingly pretty only that her face was marred by lines of sorrow about her mouth and a coldness in her eyes that was ne very repelling. Her gown was of rich materials, and she -wore.a few expensive jewels; further, every _.movement which she made was indicative of natural refinement. P The coldness of her manner was something which she ‘had acquired—even to an inexpe- rienced girl like Marion it bespoke a morbid condition. | “T have ordered some dinner for you,” she said, quietly, as Marion finished. “Here it is; you must be hungry after your tiresome _ journey.” She rose to meet the waiter, who was placing a loaded tray upon the table. _ Marion ate her dinner in some perplexity, _ for every few moments Miss Gray excused herself, and pouring a glass of liquor from a decanter on the table, took it in to her host, _ who still remained in the parlor. | “Does he always drink like that?’ Marion _ ventured to. ask timidly; “for if he does, I am sorry for my poor aunt. She must be __ wretched indeed to have a drunken husband.” _ A grim smile stole over the woman’s face. “He is drinking a little more than usual to- > * : <a night,” she said softly, “but don’t worry—it — won't hurt him, and you will be that much safer.” “Why, what do you mean?” asked Marion in alarm. Miss Gray laughed bitterly. “Wait until he is dead drunk,” she said, “and perhaps I’ll tell you.” Marion was almost too astonished to even 13 think, but as yet not a suspicion of the truth © had dawned upon her. That the man in the parlor was her uncle she did not doubt for an instant, but she was filled with disgust at the possession of such a relative. | “Of course he is no blood relation,’ she whispered to herself. “And he may not be a bad man when he is in his sober senses. What a pity it is that he should drink!” She drew a long sigh at the conclusion of her reverie. “There!” said Miss Gray, coming in and depositing an empty glass on the table. “At last he is safe for the night, at least! Now, I am ready, Miss Marlowe, to hear the rest of your story!” It was the first sign of genuine interest that she had shown, and Marion smiled at her eratefully before continuing. Miss Gray watched her with the sharp glance of an eagle as she talked. There was an intensity in her gaze that puzzled Marion. “And you have come to New York alone to search for your sister,’ she said finally. “Without funds or friends you have entered upon this mission ?” “T have fifty dollars,” said Marion reluc- tantly, “and, oh, Miss Gray, do you not think uncle will help me? He must be rich to live in such luxury!” Before she answered the question the wo- man rose and looked around, moving every drapery and curtain and looking behind it cautiously. At the last she tiptoed to the front room and listened a minute, when she returned she moved her chair as closely as possible to Marion’s. “See here, girl, you look brave, ” she said, very softly. “Can you face a serious matter without flinching, do you think? I have some- thing to tell you, but you must promise to be perfectly calm when you hear it.” As she spoke Marion noticed that her hands were trembling; she clinched them tightly, as though she resented this trace of weakness. 39 “I promise,” said Marion, staring wide- eyed at the woman. “I am nota child, Miss Gray—you must see that you can trust me.” “I see that I can,” was the quiet answer, ECORMMICECOOOKS.CcO©