From Farm to Fortune, or, Only a Farmer's Daughter — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

7 The should have been hypnotized by that _ fiend?” she cried, earnestly. “Or is it any- _ thing to my discredit that I should have been Fy mepecked by scoundrels ? dren, Aunt Susan! What do we know of Be the world? ~Why, we are both as innocent as the very field daisies at home, yet you scorn us for our misfortunes—you ridicule bg our sorrow!” _ “We cannot afford to get entangled in this ie thing, Frederic,’ said her aunt, without heed- _ ing her appeal. | » “We certainly cannot,” said her husband, decidedly. “Once for all, Marion, you must excuse us from meddling in the matter.” J “So you refuse utterly to aid me in my ‘search for Dollie?” asked Marion, breath- Frederic Stanton drew a bill from his pocket slowly and tossed it to her across the able. | “You can have that,” he said grandly, “but please don’t count upon me further.. My position in society would be attacked at once w ere | to allow myself to be exploited in this manner.” “Don't mention our names, for heaven’s sake!’ cried her aunt. “I would die of mor- ieation if I should see this thing in the pa- pe 5.” - Without noticing the bill, Marion rose to her feet. The scorn upon her face made her relations shrink a little. a 1m only a country girl—a farmer’s daughter,” she said slowly, “but, oh, how I espise such natures as yours! You are a ha e to your sex, Mrs. Susan Stanton, and as for you, sir, you are not worthy to be called a man.’ There was not a word spoken as Marion adjusted her hat. 6 wa glance behind her. CHAPTER XI. ~ THE RETURN OF MISS GRAY. How Marion reached her hotel she could hardly say, but when she opened the door of her room she was astonished to find Miss Gray waiting for her. ‘Pve brought you back your clothing,” she said, with a soft laugh, at the same time p ereng to a valise that was standing on the _. Marion had only time to notice that’ Miss erry. Was attired very simply in black, when per ae rose and held out her hand to her. Miss Gray, I’m so glad!’ cried the F ie girl. “I felt sure that you would Come back, but your action was so strange . a rd a fs. Pome =. = We are only chil- As she left the apartment she did not even’ MY QUEEN. | wd that I could not help wondering why you did it.” “And I knew you would not think ill of me,” said the woman, smiling, “and it is your faith in me, Miss Marlowe, that has made me a different woman. ~ Listen,” she said calm- ly, as.she drew Marion down beside her, “I will tell you my story now; but, first, here is your money. Marion took the money absently, and held it lightly in her hand. “Do go on with the story, I am impatient,” she said eagerly. Miss Gray’s face flushed a little as she started, but the flush soon died away and left her composed and natural. ‘“T am the daughter of a rich man in this city,’ she began, ‘‘and J married a man quite out of my own circle of society. At least, I thought I was married to him, but the wretch had deceived me! I found it out when it was too late. I did not dare to admit it. Since then I have lived under an assumed naine in this city, although we are supposed to be.abroad. That wretch that you saw last night was my ‘make believe’ husband!’ | “But, your father?’ asked Marion in breathless interest. ‘Would he not take you back. and punish the villain?” “He would, yes, for he is a noble man,” was the sad answer; “but my brother and sis- ter are in society—miy sister is engaged to be married I hear—it would injure them terribly should my story be known. For their sakes | have suffered and shall continue to suffer.” “Oh, that is terrible! terrible!” cried her companion sorrowfully. “But, thank Heaven, you have been strong enough to leave him at last! Your life there must have been dread- ful! Oh, how I pity you!” eit drunken brute is not a very desirable companion,’ said the woman scornfully, “‘and oh, the deeds of that infamous man! And to think that I had to witness them, yes, and even to protect him in them!” “You were a martyr to your family, Miss Gray,”” was the soft answer. “I cannot be- lieve that you did right; still, I must not judge you.’ “Right! I should say not!” Gray with a flush of shame. dupe, his tool! I did not dare to oppose him! Oh, to think that a woman could fall SQ low—w hy, Miss Marlowe, women came there and I had to meet them; but, thank God, I came to my senses in time to save the innocent!’ “I shall never forget it,” said Marion, soft- ly. “And now, Miss Gray, I must tell you Iny day’s experience,” cried Miss “I was his COMICOOOKS. CO