From Farm to Fortune, or, Only a Farmer's Daughter — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

’ “She was a true friend to me,” she said, very sadly. ‘Poor girl! I pity her with my whole heart and soul. If I could only find a — way to punish that old monster.”’ _ “TI fancy he’s a bad egg,” said the young > Sellow, thoughtfully. “There are lots of his sort in the city, unfortunately, and no woman is wholly safe who falls into their clutches.” __ “Poor Miss Gray was afraid of him,” said _ Marion, sadly, “but she has defied him now. Oh, I do hope it is well with her.” - _ “She stole your money,” was the man’s curt answer. “She took it,’ corrected the young girl, quickly, “but she left me all her expensive clothes. There is a mystery in her actions that I cannot fathom.”’ _ “Well, one at a time,” said her escort, smil- ~~ Marlowe. Shall I go in with you?” _ He looked at her anxiously as he asked the question. _A soft, rosy flush stole over her face. “TI think not,” she said slowly, as she gave him an arch smile. “I'll have quite enough to do without explaining our acquaintance.’ “TI guess you are right,” said Mr. Ray, as he returned the smile. “I will be on that orner when you come out, Miss Marlowe, for | don’t intend to leave you until you are afe with your uncle.” | “Oh, thank you!” cried the girl, gratefully. You are more than kind.” ~ Then a deep flush mantled her charming eatures as she remembered the words of al- most love which he had spoken. In another minute she was on the steps of the-building. Her heart was beating so hard Mat she could almost hear it, but she was letermined not to falter in her search for Jolilie, “Th tell all!” she whispered, “everything hat has happened except”—here she paused md blushed a little deeper—“except that I ave met a yong man whom I think is just he most charming gentleman that I have 4 z= CHAPTER X. MARION FINDS HER UNCLE AT LAST. Visit to the chief of police was naturally an embarrassment to a young and inexper- fenced girl like Marion, but his kindly man- 1er put her at her ease. 4€ was unusually interested in the as- Onishing story which this beautiful Ountry girl told him. If he doubted her ; Words he did not betray it, so Marion talked Nn rapidly, feeling sure of his sympathy. The uy item of information which Marion kept 9 all oa aS) ae a Wa, 7s MY QUEEN. ing; “but here we are at headquarters, Miss. 21 back was the fact that Bert Jackson had run away from the Poor Farm, and it did not occur to the great detective to question her on that point. Every word that she ut- tered was carefully taken down, and before -she left the building an investigation was in progress. She told him of Bert’s adventure with the hypnotist, and the chief sent an order for . his immediate release. “Now, what are you going to do next, miss?” the chief asked her kindly. “You seem to have a mind of your own, and [| would like to hear what you will do person- ally toward finding your sister.” Marion looked at him fearlessly, as she answered promptly: ‘ “I shall go to that theatre to-night, sir, accompanied by Bert, and see this Professor Dabroski, If he is our former boarder, Mr. Lawson, I shall know him instantly. He ney be disguised, but I am sure I shall know im !” The chief looked at her keenly. “Tm sute you will,” he said slowly. “I should hate to be the man to do you an in- jury, Miss Marlowe.” : _ This shrewd, worldly man had read the fair face at a glance. He saw in the flash of those gray eyes an indomitable spirit. “I might forgive one to myself, but to my sister, never!’ said Marion, sternly. The chief was gazing at her in admiration. She looked like a queen with her head poised so defiantly. “Here is Frederic Stanton’s address,” he said, after a minute, as he glanced over a directory. “Why, he is a prominent so- ciety man, Miss Marlowe. He is as proud as Lucifer. Are you sure he will help you?” Poor Marion sighed. “He must,” she said, slowly, “for I have not five dollars in the world, and there is no one else I can look to.” The head of the great Detective Bureau did a few minutes’ thinking, then he gave Marion some instructions, all of which she promised to follow. | “These are very necessary,” he told her as he finished, “for if this villain has wronged your sister he must be punished without mercy. And now you had best go right up to “The Norwood’ and see your uncle. If he will help you, all right: if he won't, why just let me know. You can stay at that hotel that you mentioned at present, and one of mv men will be on hand at the theatre this even- ing. Marion thanked him for his advice and accompanied by Bert, joined Mr. Ray on the corner. Bert and Mr. Ray were introduced, and immediately seemed to take a tual COmiicboole com