From Farm to Fortune, or, Only a Farmer's Daughter — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

so 16 was shining brightly. She raised herself from the pillow only to find that Miss Gray had deserted her. “Gone! And I am all alone!” Marion whispered the words as she sprang out of bed. After a hasty glance about the room she was more astonished than ever. Not only had her companion left her alone in the hotel, but she had taken every article of Marion’s homely wardrobe, leaving her own expensive garments in exchange for the OU ORES, Marion sat down in amazement to think over the situation. Suddenly she remem- bered her money and sprang up to look for her reticule. | She was horror struck when she found that gone also. In its place was Miss Gray's expensive pocket-book. She opened it quickly. It contained the contents of her bag minus forty dollars. Marion looked at the lone five-dollar bill in despair. : “Well, if this doesn’t beat all!’ she said aloud. Then in spite of her dismay she burst out laughing, and the result was won- derful—her courage came back to her. “I guess I have the best of the bargain after all,’ she went on as she looked at the clothing, “but it will never do for me to go to see uncle in that dress! He would be sus- picious of me right away! As like as not he would think I had stolen it.” She mused a little longer and then began to dress. It was evident that she must wear Miss Gray’s gown for awhile, at’ least, and at last she became curious to see how she would look in it. “Tt fits as if it was made for me,” she whispered. as she tripped over to the mirror. “We must be nearly the same size, for even her shoes are just my number.” She glanced down at her little foot with a feeling of pride—it was.the first time she had ever worn any shoes but “cowhides.” When the dainty, graceful girl was fully arrayed in the stylish garments she could not help flushing with pride at her pretty reflection. A beautifully made suit of rich, blue crepon, a dainty hat, gloves, veil and tan shoes made up a far prettier costume than she had ever hoped to wear, and surely she was justified in taking the good of it, for MY QUEEN. a a vr. it was no fault of hers that Miss Gray pre- ferred homespun. f | As soon as Marion was dressed she went _ directly to the office, hoping to learn some- — thing of her companion from the clerk behind the desk, but on her guard not to say anything that might sound as if she mistrusted her. - | The man behind the desk gave her a glance of admiration, but it was plain that — he saw nothing unusual in her appearance. “She went out about daylight,” he said, in answer to her question. “She paid for the room. Do you wish to keep it any longer?” “T hardly know yet,” answered Marion, trying not to appear green, “I'll just have some breakfast, I think, and then I have an errand to do.” | | “Oh, well, it will be here when you want — it,’ said the clerk good-naturedly, ‘‘and, any- way, it is yours until eleven o'clock to-night, so you've got all day to make up your mind. The dining-room is right in here, if you are — looking for breakfast.” : . Marion thanked him sweetly, and walked to a table with as much grace as a queen, although the long skirts were clumsy and_ made her feel a little awkward. nil There were a dozen or more people just taking breakfast, and they all stared at her in such open admiration that the young girl - could feel herself blushing hotly. ? When she paid her bill she was glad to find a young woman at the desk. She looked pale and worn, but her face was not un- kindly. : , “Do you know where I could find a real cheap boarding-house, miss?” she asked — timidly. — | | The young woman looked her over criti- cally before she answered. * “Sure! I know dozens of ’em,” was her rather curt reply. “But, Gee! you dont want a very cheap one, I guess! You don’t look as if you had to count your pennies!” “But I do,” said Marion, smiling, as she- comprehended the look; “and I’d be very much obligéd if you could give me some ad- dresses.” f The cashier scribbled two or three on a piece of paper. “Here, I guess these are- Gomircbooks.com