A Lover's Quarrel, or Marion Marlowe's Deceitful Friend — page 25: what you’re looking at

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22 girl, laughingly. through rose-colored spectacles when we iook at each other: it is very doubtful if any one else can see our halos.” _ “I can see them, children; so they are vis- ible,” laughed Mrs. Burnside; “and you have no idea how I like to look at you! There is no sight so sweet to me as a glimpse of happy lovers !” “I have always thought it so strange that there were people in the world who actually begrudged others their happiness,” said Mar- ion, slowly; “but, as Mrs. Burnside says, I think happiness is catching! I know I al- ways feel happy when I see others enjoying themselves.” | “That is the true spirit, Marion,” answered the doctor, tenderly; “but now, darling, tell me what else you have done. Have you an- swered Dollie’s letter, or written to Lena?” Marion drew a deep sigh, but nodded her head eagerly. : | “T sent them each a note by messenger,” she said, quickly; “and, of course, I told Lena all about the disappearance of Miss Fredericks. Now, I do hope the poor girl won’t get the idea that Bert has gone with her.”’ ) “T could dispel it if she did,” said the doc- tor, looking at his watch. “Bert is closeted this minute with his father and the cashier of the bank. They are trying their best to get some clew to the forger.” ‘Do they suspect Miss Fredericks?” asked “T told Bert in my I didn’t have Marion, in a whisper. note about Barney McGillin. the heart to tell his father.”’ ‘We spared Bert all we could, and I am glad you have spared his father,’’ was the young man’s answer. “Now, it is for Bert to furnish the information that we have not gained. It rests with him ‘to clear Miss Fredericks.” “Tf IT could only see him,” said Marion, dolefully. ‘Really, I had no idea he was so proud, He has not even answered my letter of yesterday.” “He is deeply mortified, no doubt! _ Why, just think what a goose he has been!” cried Mrs. Burnside. “Bert was far too smart to be taken in by any one!” “The hest of us are foolish sometimes, and Miss Fredericks was really very pretty,” re- marked the doctor, smiling. “Now, if I had not been so deeply ensnared already, who knows but that I should have been captured hy her graces. She might have been draw- ing on my bank account now, instead of on fackson’s !” ~ “Oh. don’t accuse her, even in fun!” pro- tested Marion, quickly. “Of course, it does “You know, we look . MY QUEEN. look as if she were guilty, but we must not admit it until it is proven.” ; ‘Dear me, what is all the racket about?” asked Mrs. Burnside, suddenly, as she moved toward the door. ‘This is such a quiet place usually, but do listen, Marion! It’s the clerk and another man, and, yes, I believe there’s a woman.” “I think I have had enough excitement for one day,” said Marion, without rising. ‘Do bolt the door, Mrs. Burnside, and don’t let it come in! Really, Pm not over that horrid scene yet! -I don’t care to witness another!” “They say McGillin is either very sick or shamming, and he’s as dumb as an oyster,” remarked Dr. Brookes, who was sitting very erect and listening intently. “He’s a pre- cious rogue, who knows the value of silence; but he’s very bitter toward Miss Fredericks for the trick she played on him.” “T should think he would be,” remarked Mrs. Burnside, who was still near the door. “When rogues fall out, there must be some pretty hard feelings indulged, but, in spite of your wishes, Marion, I am going to investi- gate that racket. I verily believe we've been struck by lightning, or else they are running freight trains through the front of this build- ing!” * She opened the door as she spoke and glanced out. into the hall, and just at that moment the chambermaid called her. “Faith, it’s thim detectives, miss! They do be rippin’ things east and west in them rooms,” she explained, cautiously. “Sure, it’s mesilf that is mystified by the little minx. Her face was that swate that it would desave a lawyer!” Mrs. Burnside closed the door and locked it securely. Her curiosity was satisfied, and they were in no danger. “Now, I'll make ‘another effort to see Bert,” remarked the doctor, rising; “and I will come for you, darling, at ten to-morrow evening. I do hope all this unpleasantness will be over, so that you will enjoy the danc- ing.” “rf Bert would only go,” murmured Mar-. ion, quickly; then a flush mantled her cheek as she thought of something. “Oh, Regi- nald, I do hope this will not: get in the@pa- pers—about those checks, I mean! It would | be so humiliating for Bert,’) she cried, ex- citedly. Dr. Brookes shook his head. “THis father will attend to that, I am stre,” he said, soberly; “and it is barely possible I can get him to go to the ball, if only to show that-he did not escort Miss Fredericks!” They all smiled sadly, and then the doc- tor took his leave, Mrs. Burnside promptly Comicbooks.com