A Lover's Quarrel, or Marion Marlowe's Deceitful Friend — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

» * a MY QUEEN. 11 that! I must find a way to prevent his doing it!” “T will speak to him to-night,’ said the doctor, quickly. “The boy has been avoiding me of late and I could not understand it. I supposed this misunderstanding with his sweetheart was just a lovers’ quarrel, and, of course, I did not wish to interfere, but I shall certainly speak to Bert about this other mat- ter. I can’t have him ‘queering’ himself so- cially by such an error.” “I can’t understand it! witched him,” said Marion, frowning. “I She must have be- blamed Bert for dreaming of giving Lena up, but I am simply disgusted at his attentions to Miss Fredericks! It is shameful to think of her taking his money!” The secret was out at last, for Marion had fotgotten her caution in her anxiety, but now, as her friends were staring at her question- ingly, she had to give an explanation. “Of course, it may all be guesswork,” she said, as she finished, “but Miss Ellis was positive that it was Bert’s voice that she heard, and I saw them both not twenty feet from the parlor about five minutes after, and Bert told me in plain language that he had seen Miss Fredericks and then told me that he was going to give Lena back her free- dom.” “Did he do it, that you know of?” asked Dr. Brookes, anxiously. “Is there any proof that he did really offer her her freedom ?” Marion’s eyes flew open and she caught her breath excitedly. “Not that I know of, Reginald,” she said, after a minute. “Lena saw that letter in Miss Fredericks’ room and overheard them talk- ing in the parlor. As far as I know, that is all she learned ; for the first thing she did was to fly off to Dollie’s.” | “Then it looks as though Bert were only talking,” said the doctor, solemnly. “Tf he did not write or ask Lena to end- the engage- ment, and if you did not tell her what Bert ”? told you “1 did not! ion, eagerly. Not a word!” broke in Mar- “T only implored her to see him, and she wouldn’t do it!” “Then there’s treachery somewhere, and no doubt about it,” finished the doctor, stoutly. “T shall broach the subject to Bert this very evening.” Marion shook her head, for she remem- bered Bert’s words. He had seemed very de- cided that day in the parlor. “T think I will go now, dearest,” con- tinued the young man. “I have three patients to call upon and then I must ’phone. to Bert. I hope I shall find that he is disengaged this evening.” “T hope so, too,” began Marion, when an- other rap interrupted them. This time it was the boy with a message for the doctor. “There’s a gentleman in the parlor who wants you, sir,” he said, politely. “He said if you wasn’t here to leave his card with Miss Marlowe.” He held out the card as he spoke and the doctor took it; then, without a word, he passed it to Marion. “I had better go to him in the parlor at once, I think,’ he said, wonderingly. “My caller is Captain Hobart-Canfield, Bert’s father.” “Yes, go at once, but do let me know if he wishes to see me,” cried Marion. ‘““Dear Cap- tain Canfield! I would be so pleased to see him!” “I don’t know whether I just like that, sweetheart,” laughed the doctor, merrily. “I am not so sure I fancy your affection for the captain.” Marion kissed her fingers to him with a merry smile, and the next moment the young © man had quitted the apartment. “Now, I'll tell you what. Gboo! SYGO Ww