An Interrupted Wedding, or Marion Marlowe as Maid of Honor — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

determine for myself whether she is falsify- ing.” | “She’s at the Oakland Hotel,” was Bert’s prompt answer. “I took her there myself, and she promised to stay there. If she at- . her.” “IT shall go to her at once,” said Marion, stoutly, “and after I leave her I shall go straight to. Alma, so don’t look for me to ~ come home to-night, little sister.” | There was a decided ring in her voice, so - Dollie did not attempt to restrain her; be- sides, she was glad she was going, for she had great faith in Marion’s apeEIty to get at the truth of a matter. “PIL go with you, Marion,” said Bert, _ quickly: “My cab is waiting, so we'll be _ there in a jiffy! Poor Alma, this is a sad ending to her wedding day! I hope things will be brighter at this time to-morrow.” “I’m sure I hope so, too,” echoed Dollie, as she watched them hurrying down the stairs; then, a moment later, she heard the aiible of the carriage wheels. It was nearly nine o’clock, but the streets were brilliantly lighted, and as they neared the Oakland, Marion leaned out of the car- riage window. | “Everything looks so gay and cheerful to- night! What a pity that Alma should be 3 so sad,” she said, softly, “and to think that only yesterday I was enya her her happi- ness !”” “And now you’ve found a_ large-sized _ chunk of happiness for yourself, I under- __ Stand, Marion,” was Bert’s answer. ‘‘Hon- estly, I’ve been so excited to- -day that I ees. thought to congratulate you, girlie, but you can bet I did not lose any time in congratulating the doctor! He’s the luck- iest man in the world in my opinion!” Marion’s cheeks flushed crimson, but she was smiling happily. She had almost for- _ gotten herself in her anxiety for Alma. “IT think I am lucky, too,” she said. whisper. “Reginald is the noblest, truest _ man I ever met! Oh, Bert, just think how patiently he has waited!” “You bet! And I shared that wait with _ him for many moons, Marion! Thank my am icky star and my sweetheart that there was +3 +t 4 hie MY QUEEN. tempts to leave, our detective will follow. 21 an end to my vigil! I’d have died of dis- appointment by this time, if I hadn't switched off, Marion!” “I’m so glad you did,” murmured Marion, slyly, “for, you see, Bert, if you had con- tinued my admirer, I would never have been able to choose between you and the doc- tor.” “Come off! You’re too late, Marion! You never cared for me a little bit,’ was Bert’s answer, then he suddenly leaned for- ward and peered eagerly from the carriage. They were in front of the hotel, but there was another cab at the block, and as Marion glanced quickly from the window, she saw Gladys Allyn stepping into it. “Quick! Look, Bert! She is running away, I verily believe!’ she cried, softly. “Oh, where in the world is Henry’s detec- tive? There isn’t a soul in sight that I can see anywhere!” Bert had already risen and was speak- ing to the driver. The next minute he drew a good sized bill from his pocket and thrust it up through the little window. “Don’t let that cab out of your sight for a single minute,’ he said, sharply. “I'll double that amount if you do your duty!” The cab with Gladys inside had rattled off, and in another instant they were following it swiftly. Bert and Marion both scanned the side- walks eageriy, but there was nothing to be seen of any detective. CHAPTER XI. IN THE NORTH RIVER. But the race was not destined to be very . long. The cab with Gladys inside had driven rap- idly westward across the city, and at Tenth avenue it suddenly halted, and Gladys sprang from it. Bert’s driver pulled up his horses instant- ly, and in a moment both Bert and Marion were on the sidewalk and Bert was giving the cabby some hurried instructions. “Hurry, Bert!” whispered Marion, who was straining her eyes to keep Gladys in. sight. “See, the cab has driven away | We must run or we w ill lose her!” cComicoooksS.EGO©