From Farm to Fortune, or, Only a Farmer's Daughter — page 31: what you’re looking at

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28 will depend upon what I learn of his treat- ment of poor Dollie.”’ The two young people looked at each other _ with solémn eyes. “Thank God there are such women in the world as you,’ said the young man soberly. And such men as you,” said Marion, archly. = | “Good-night, Mr. Ray, the honors are even. Good-night, Bert.” Marion took Dollie to her room before she broke down; then, when the door was safely locked, she burst out crying. “Oh, Marion, dear, what shall we do?” asked Dollie helplessly. “I can’t go home to father now! Whatever shall we do in this bigy wicked city?” Marion wiped her eyes and smiled as brightly as ever. | “Nonsense, Dollie!’ she said, gayly. “It is not a wicked city at all! It is perfectly glorious! And oh, how I love it!” “Then you don’t intend to go backe”’ asked Dollie, relieved. “Never!” said Marion, stoutly, “or, at least not if I can help it. We'll get something to do, and stay right here, Doilie. There’s a place for us here, but we've got to find it! “Isn't it lovely, Dollie?” cried Marion suddenly. “The superintendent of the lodg- ing-house has found Bert Jackson a position !”’ | Then noticing Dollie’s look she hastened to explain the exciting episode in. Bert's day. Her sister was delighted when she heard of the adventure. , : “I just caught a glimpse of him on the street,’ she said, “when that monster, Mr. ILawson, stepped directly between us. Bert knocked him down, but he was up in a flash —then the next I knew poor Bert had been arrested and he was leading me along—l could not resist him.” “You must tell me all, every, word,” said Marion soberly. “I. must know the full leneth and breadth of that man’s villainy, After that you must try to forget him. dear! You are safe from him, now— never again can he harm you! When he is safely disposed of we shall have enough to do, for we must go to work to win fame and fortune.” ollie shook her head and a dazed look crept into her eyes. “To-morrow, Marion. I am so tired to- night! To-morrow my head will be clearer and perhaps I can remember. Marion took her in her arms and began smoothing her hair. | “Just one thing, little sister, and then you Dollie. MY QUEEN. shall go to sleep. Did you take grandma’s | topazes from the old chest, Dollie? I looked — for them one night, but I could not find them.” a took them, yes, dear,” said Dollie sleepily. “He told me to do it, and I dared not disobey. There was some reason, I don’t — know what—-I always obeyed him.” — are “al understand the réason, darling; he had ~ hypnotized you, but now go to bed, dear, we will finish our talking to-morrow.” Marion helped to undress her, soothing her gently as she did so. Me a: “We will get along famously, I am sure we will,” she said, cheerily; “for all we need © is perseverance and courage.” | ss “And you have courage enough for both,” said -Dollie, brightening. “You are the bravest girl in the world, and I am proud of you, Marion!” | | “T mean that you shall be proud of me some day,” said the fair girl, slowly; “for if patience, perseverance and courage count for anything, I shall be famous, even if I am ~ only a farmer’s daughter!” . ae And the beautiful speaker’s words were all fulfilled, but before she could realize her . highest ambitions there were thrilling ad-— ventures to be passed through and danger-— ous pitfalls to be avoided. Fortunately’ for her, there were other charges against Professor Dabroski, and by the advice of counsel, Dollie’s case was dis- continued. The rascally hypnotist was sent to Sing Sing for ten years without their ap-_ pearing against him, and the two gentle girls _ were only too glad to escape the notoriety of - atrial | = As for Deacon Marlowe, he lived to re-_ pent his hardness of heart. The nobility of his daughters overwhelmed him with shame and remorse, but it was a pity the lesson: could not have been learned a little earlier. Archie Ray took his sister abroad at once to escape unpleasant remarks, but his friend-_ ship for Marion never waned for an instant. _ Emile Vorse remained at large for a little time, but both he and his boon companion — —the wretch who had wrecked Adele Ray's’ life—were caught in the net of the law later on and both were confined in the same dis-_ mal prison. a. Thus the downfall of three villains was” at last effected, and/all indirectly through the heroic courage of a farmer’s daughter, THE END. ~The next number will Marlowe’s Courage; or, A Brave Struggle for Life and Honor.’ ee ecomicbooks.com contain ‘‘ Mariot i a