An Interrupted Wedding, or Marion Marlowe as Maid of Honor — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

ea, ve v ~ te MY QUEEN. 9 Marion laid her head: voluntarily upon the broad shoulder as she answered: “Yes, Reginald; I think I am perfectly happy, or I would be if it were not for Alma’s trouble! We are forgetting Alma, Reginald, and we must not forget her!” “We will not!” said the young man, quick- ly, as he rose to his feet. “Even in the hap- piest moment of my life I will try to remem- ber the sorrows of others. We must plan “some way to protect Alma from ‘her sister— at least until- after the wedding to-morrow.” Marion had risen as he spoke, and they were now standing side by side, the doctor’s hands inclosing her own and his eyes fixed upon her face with a glance of devotion. “You and I will save Gladys, if it is pos- sible, darling,” he went on, brightly, “and, do you know, Marion, I have the feeling that I could not fail at anything if you were be- side me to cheer me with your affection.”’ He looked at her so proudly that it was Marion’s turn to feel humbled. She could hardly imagine herself worthy of this noble young man’s adoration. “We will plan and work together, Regi- nald,” she said at last, “but, oh, I do hope I have read my heart aright! I think I love you with all my soul! 4t would be perfectly dreadful if I should find later on that I had been mistaken.” A look of horror dilated her wide gray eyes as she spoke, and in an instant a shadow passed over the young physician’s features. “Don’t Marion! Don’t think of such a thing!” he said, sharply. “You must love - me, little woman! I should be wretched if you did not! You are the sunshine of my very existence, Marion!” ~~ “T will try to be always,” was the solemn answer, “but now we must forget ourselves and talk about Alma.” She dropped into her chair again as she spoke, and at that instant some one tinkled the bell at the door of the reception room. Dr. Brookes waited a moment until his boy tapped upon the door, then excusing him- self to Marion he stepped’ out of the office. The young girl was almost etad of this moment of isolation, for her brain was in a whirl and every pulse was throbbing wildly. Tt was beautiful to be loved: as the doctor loved her. She had never before imagined such rapture as she had known during those brief moments in which her lover had been embracing her. Something, she hardly knew what, was stealing over her senses. It was an indefin- able longing for a further expression of his love—a hungry craving for more whispered words, more kisses and caresses. She tried to think of Alma, but it was al- most impossible now, and as the moments passed and Dr. Brookes did not appear, she rose and paced the office restlessly. “Tt must be love! It must be!’’ she whis- pered over and over. “Oh, Reginald, why did I not yield to your entreaties before! How could I have been so foolish as to have discouraged your affection ?” She sank into a chair-and clasped her ‘hands together. Would he never come back and tell her again that he loved her? The door leading to the reception room was slightly ajar, and she could hardly resist the impulse to move a little nearer to it. A low murmur of conversation was com- ing to her ears, and as she sat almost breath- less a few words became audible. “It is for your own sake, Reginald,” said a low masculine voice. “As your friend I have come here only to warn you.” “You have come too late,” was the young physician’s reply, and Marion caught her breath sharply as she noted. the sadness, al- most despair, in his accents. What had happened? The young girl clenched her hands in agony, but she would not move a muscle. Whatever it was, it was not intended for her ears, yet she was bound to hear if they spoke a particle louder. Her brain was still a little dazed, but she was trying to think calmly. Suddenly she heard the strange voice in the reception room exclaim almost irritably : “It is your father’s will, Reginald, and vou must abide by it. As his lawyer and friend, I must de my duty. Not a penny of his money will come to you at your mother’s death if you persist in your ambition to marry an actress!” The words fell upon TAG OQQ Eso mn