From Farm to Fortune, or, Only a Farmer's Daughter — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

6 MEY QUEEN. to Dollie had she made full confession of them. Mr. Lawson’s attentions to her sister wor- ried her exceedingly—but with Silas John- son as the alternative, she was forced to be silent. . One morning Marion took her churn out under a big locust tree near the kitchen door and was churning vigorously when she over- heard an astonishing conversation, Silas Johnson and her father were just around the corner of the house, but neither knew of her presence or they would have spoken more guardedly. BA sed it an’ I calkerlate I'll stick ter: “Dollie shell ” her father said, sullenly. marry yew, Sile, so yew needn’t git up yewr dander!” . “Oh, I ain’t got up no dander, Farmer Marlowe,” was the reply; “but it’s high time ther thing wuz done an’ settled, fer I’m gittin’ a leetle tired of seein’ thet thar city chap with Dollie. Yew know gals will be gals, an’ ther ain’t much dependin’ on ’em.”’ “Oh, ther city chap’s a-goin’ ter-morrer ef thet’s what’s worryin’ yew,” replied the farmer, quickly. “An’ as quick’s he’s gone, I'll hev it out with Dolly. It’s ther best thing fer her an’ she’s got ter dew it.”’ “Yew kin hev them papers back on our weddin’ day,” said Silas, with a rasping chuckle. . Marion held her breath. phase of the situation. “Thankee, Sile, I'll be plum’ glad tew git "em, I-kin tell yew!” said her father, sighing. “Them air dog-goned papers hez worried mre like thurider, but ez yew say, it'll be ali in the fambly when yew marry Dollie.” Marion drew a long breath and grasped the churn handle tighter. In another mo- ment the two men rose from their seats and sauntered out to the garden, still talking se- riously. “So it is a business transaction of some Here was a new whispered Marion to herself. money or some- sort !” “Pa owes Silas some thing, and- he is going to settle it by giving him Dollie!” She* rose from her stool, her face fairly erimson with anger. As she turned to enter the house she confronted Mr. Lawson. ‘will hel) me. For just a second Marion hesitated to. tell her trouble to this man, then an un- controllable impulse made her turn to him appealingly. She had forgotten all-else but her sister’s danger. “Oh, Mr, Lawson, I must tell you an aw- ful secret,” she cried, brokenly, “‘and oh, I do hope you wiil be able to advise me—you are wise and—and kind—Ii am sure that you Dollie shall marry fim!’ | : The tears trembled on Marion’s lashes as she said the words, and in her intense ex- citement her dark eyes shone like diamonds, Carlos Lawson looked at her with unusual interest. His first thought was of her beauty but he controlled himself enough to answer: “The thing would be outrageous!” he said after a second; “what has that freckle-faced clod to offer Dollie, I should like to know!” “He has a farm of his own, that is all,” said Marion, hotly; “or he may have a mort- gage on father’s, for all I know, but if he had the wealth of the world he should not have my little sister!” “But how can vou prevent it?” asked Mr. Lawson, a little coldly. Marion looked up at his face and trembled as she read his glance. — hoped you would be able to advise me,’ she said, slowly. “I know so little of the world, Mr. Lawson. Oh, think of some way to save my poor sister?” ‘Once more Marion’s eyes shone through her tears as she gazed up into his face. full lips trembled with emotion. Her face was transfused with unusual beauty. “Again the sense of her beauty flitted through Carlos Lawson’s brain, and_ this time he made no attempt to control it. How had he ever become enamored of pretty Dollie’s childish face when this spirited crea- ture was. constantly before him! A dark flush mounted to his cheek and brow as he bent forward quickly and laid his hand upon Marion’s shoulder. “T will save her, yes—on one condition,” he whispered, sharply. “I will save your sis- ter if you will kiss me, Marion! My God, but you are beautiful. Quick, Marion—your answer!” . Father is in debt to Silas | Johnson, and Sile has made him promise that can’t you Her — Comicbooks.com