A Lover's Quarrel, or Marion Marlowe's Deceitful Friend — page 17: what you’re looking at

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14 the paying-teller to honor the check,” he said, distinctly. _ There was another silence, but Marion was too eager to know more to restrain herself long. 3 “Who cashed the checks?” she asked, in a whisper. The captain’s answer. was brief. simply : “A woman!” There was another silence, in which Mar- ion could hear her own heart beat, but it was not her nature to jump at conclusions, nor would she willingly accuse an innocent per- son even in her thoughts, if she could avoid it. “T had her followed, of course,’ went on the captain, slowly, “but I am sorry to say she eluded the detective. Now the question is, who are Bert’s associates? I thought I knew them all, but it seems I am mistaken.” He said ’ Marion glanced at Dr. Brookes, but .his ~ eyes were bent upon the floor, so she made a heroic attempt to turn the conversation into another channel. “Did you show him the checks, sir?” she asked, in a tremulous voice. “Yes, and he was quite as much surprised as I was,’’ was the answer. “Bert was not lying when he said he knew nothing about them.” The young girl’s lips were white and her heart beat painfully. She was so sorry for the captain that she could have cried from very sympathy. “Bert may be foolish, but he will never be wicked,” went on the old gentleman, quietly. “Thank God, he inherits his mother’s gentle nature. I do not blame the boy, but I do pity him sincerely, for it is my opinion that he has been lured into bad company.” Marion sprang to her feet with flashing eyes. “Tt must be that, sir. Some one has de- ceived him,” she said, hotly. “I have known Rert all his life, and he is the soul of honor. Oh. I feel sure he has been made a victim, whom, Captain Canfield ?” but by ag?» what I mean to find out,” said “Exactly MY QUEEN. again at the doctor, but the physician was still staring at the floor in a non-committal manner. “Tf I could, I certainly would,” she man- aged to say, honestly, “but it would not be right to do any guessing, sir! What I do not know for sure, I cannot even mention!” “That is right, Marion!” said the captain, holding out his hand, “and I will Met ask you to even furnish a suspicion if you do not wish to. My detectives will ferret the matter out, in all probability, but naturally, I am impatient to catch the culprit.” “And we will help you, sir,” said the doc- tor, rising. “Both Marion and I have vague suspicions in our brains, but, as she says, we must not speak. them until we can jus- tify ourselves in doing so, but you may depend upon our vigilance. We shall watch and work eagerly.” “TI believe it, and I thank you for your sympathy,” was the courtly answer; then the captain said good-by and shook their hands cordially. Marion stood in the corridor as the two gentlemen went away, for the doctor decided to remain with Bert’s father until some defi- nite form of action could be decided upon. ’ “Don’t betray your thoughts, darling,” he whispered, as he said good-by, “and ex- pect me again at seven-thirty this evening.” Marion’s roguish eyes looked up into his as she answered: “Mrs. Burnside says I betray my thoughts when I am thinking of you. Have you any objections to my doing that, Reginald?” A smile passed between them and then Marion darted back up the stairs. She was in haste to confide in her friend, Mrs. ,Burn- side. a With her hand upon the knob of the door, she suddenly thought of something and then, without a moment’s hesitation, she re- traced her steps, only turning the corner of the corridor at the top of the stairs and go- ing’ straight toward the apartment which was now occupied by Miss Fredericks. — ~ 4 CHAPTER VII. the old gentleman, orimly, “and [ did hope, that you could give me some If- » MISS FREDERICKS Miss Fredericks was seated at a low work — table sewing Mien conuevooks. com Marion, formation. The young . . cirl bit her lips and glanced