From Farm to Fortune, or, Only a Farmer's Daughter — page 27: what you’re looking at

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; 3 24 MY QUEEN. Miss Gray listened intently as Marion told _ his pocket as he spoke, but as his sister “a her what she had learned. When she finish- a scream he promptly returned it. ce a ed she put her arms around her and held her “And you ail forgive me?” whispered closely. Adele, still unable to believe him. | ee: must leave you now,” she said, after a The young man took her in his arms and _ little, “for I am plannimg to leave the coun- kissed her tenderly. ee try forever. But you are wondering why 1 “You are as dear to me as ever, sis,” he took your clothes. It was because that I said, assuringly, “and every member of the wanted to disguise myself to get back to my room unknown to Emile Vorse and get my few possessions and my money. In your dress I was able to do it, and I needed your money to bribe the servants. I expected to be back before you awoke, but Vorse was there, and I had to wait until he went out. “But will he not pursue you,’ asked Marion. “T am afraid so. I don’t know what to do!’’. “Come with me,” said Marion. “Let us cast our lots together! Help me to find my sister, Miss Gray, and then, if it is necessary, I'll change clothes with you forever!” “You are a brave girl!” cried Miss Gray, laughing at this allusion to her deed. « “My clothes certainly are becoming to you, dear, but give me a little time. I will think it over.” ‘He does not know where you are?” Miss Gray shook her head. “Then you will not see him,” said Ma- rion, decidedly. ‘You will stay with me, I am sure of it!” There was a tap on the door, and a bell- boy handed Marion a card. “A young man whom I met this morning on the street,” she said, blushing. “I guess I forgot to tell you that part of my adven- tures.” “Ah, a romance, I am sure,” cried the woman, smilingly. “You are blushing, dear, your face is scarlet.’ “Come and see him,” said Marion, taking her friend by the arm. They walked down the stairs and entered the parlor. As Mr. Ray rose to meet them Miss Gray uttered a shriek of horror. Instantly the young man sprang forward and caught her in his arms. “Adele! Oh, Adele! My dear sister!” he cried. “Poor child, I am so glad to find you at last! We have all heard your story and have been nearly crazy about you!” “You have heard my story?” whispered Adele Ray, faintly. “Every word of it, dear,” said the young man smiling, “and father is only waiting to set his clutches on that infamous scoun- drel, while—well, see here, sis, I’ve got a seven-shooter in my pocket!" fle drew an ugly-looking weapon out of family is yearning-to embrace you.” ‘Then you can go home at once,” cried Marion, delightedly. om Archie Ray gave her a look that set her heart to beating wildly. “Yes, she can go home at once,” he re- peated, gladly, “while you and I, Miss Mar- lowe, go to rescue Dollie.” Marion thanked him with a glance from her starry eyes. She appreciated his kind-_ ness keenly—he was a friend indeed in her hour of trouble. ern LS ‘IT must give you back your pretty clothes, Miss Gray,” she said, smiling and blushing, “but I confess I almost dread to get bac into my poor little frock! I am afraid my brief glimpse of fashion has spoiled me.” In a very few words Adele Ray explained about them to her brother. | “IT shall never wear them again, pray kee them,” she urged, as Marion still hesitated “They would only remind me of association which I must try to forget. Do keep them Miss Marlowe, you look so pretty in them.” — Marion blushed, but she shook her hee decidedly. “T cannot afford to wear them even though you give them to me, Miss Gray,” she said slowly. “I must dress according to my station in life, and as yet I am only a poor farmer’s daughter.” | } “But surely you are not obliged to wear homespun when yoti have something better! That is false pride, my dear,” said Miss Gray, stubbornly. “T wish I could think so, but I can't,” said Marion, sighing; “for I do love pretty clothes. I guess I wouldn’t be a woman i I didn’t.” “Well, you must keep them, anyway, said Miss Gray, decidedly. “You'll get over those notions some day, and then they'll come in handy.” - “She means that you will not be able t resist putting on the pretty duds,” said Mr. Ray, who was listening ‘“‘and I hope you won't try very hard to resist, for all women should dress prettily, it is a part of thet duty.” y Marion smiled, but her eyes were growing sadder every minute. She was beginning wonder if he would like her as well in home spun. Some way she hated the thought that he would ever be ashamed of her. = EComicbooks.com *