Marion Marlowe in Buffalo, or, Betrayed by a Rival Company — page 11: what you’re looking at

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8 ! MY QUEEN. CHAPTER IV. A REMINISCENCE, While Marion and Miss Allyn were partak- ing of an early luncheon in the hotel dining- _ room, the male members of the company were working busily. Bert had hired a printer to turn out his posters and a dozen men to paste them up, and the press was running full speed to get them ready. Dr. Brookes had traced a package of lithographs that Barton had left to be called for by Rippel and Rose, and was decidedly puzzled by the fact that they had not asked for them. He confiscated them at once, and they were soon conspicuously displayed, with the word “Alhambra” in big letters directly under them, yet it was apparent that their rivals took no notice of the fact. “There’s something funny about that,’ he remarked to Bert, as he met him hurrying to- ward the printer’s. “Why, Rippel and Rose had those pictures right in their hands and did not use them; yet, in every other way pos- sible they are booming Miss Marlowe.” “There’s a catch it in somewhere,’ said Bert, very thoughtfully. “They use her name freely enough, yet they don’t dare to use her picture.” Mr. Temple came from the direction of the court house and joined them as they were talking. “The injunction is all right, but I can’t find any one to serve it on, except the fellow in the box office at the Palace,” he said, excited- ly. ‘“‘Rippel and Rose were both in town at seven this morning, but they’ve gone into hid- ing. I can't so muth as get a sight of them!” “How is their advance sale!” asked the doctor, a little anxiously, “The lobby is full, and there’s a line way eut on the street,’ said the manager, dole- fully; “while at the Alhambra we are doing nothing, and with very good reason. There wasn’t so much as a poster displayed there this morning.” “But I thought you had sent some one on from Albany,” exclaimed Bert; “didn't you send a man to take the place of Barton?” “Yes and he’s been bribed to throw us down,” said Mr. Temple, angrily ; “so we are still without an advance agent to undo what Barton has done! If I can’t secure a trust- worthy man, at once, the tour may as well be abandoned.” “It’s a pity Howard Everett wasn’t acting in that capacity,” laughed Bert. ‘He showed himself a thoroughbred in that affair at Co- hoes.” “I’ve got a man in view,” said Mr. Tem- ple; then he turned to Bert and put his hand on his shoulder. ‘Go down to the box office of the Palace and see what they are doing, will you, Jackson? I’ve got to get on the track of either Rippel or Rose. There’s no time to lose, if I expect to serve this paper!” Watching his chance, Bert slipped into the line before the Palace, and when he reached the window he handed in the price of a ticket. “Are you dead sure it’s the Marion Mar- lowe that was chucked off the train at Hud- son the other night ?’’ he asked of the freckle- faced youth who was selling tickets. Got no right! “T ain't answering no questions! time! It’s Marion Marlowe, all That’s all I know,” was the answer. “Got a picture of her?” Bert was not to be discouraged by the young man’s brusqueness. “Naw! She’s too pretty ter paint! She'd bust ther canvas!’’ said the fellow, as he reached for the next man’s money. Bert got out of the way and started down the street. Suddenly he saw Jones a block ahead of him, in company with two fellows. “That’s queer. He must pick up friends easy,’ Bert said to himself, and a moment later he had completely forgotten it. When he got back to the hotel, Marion and Miss Allyn were lingering over their dessert and several members of the company were sitting at the next table. “Oh, Bert!” cried Marion, “do come right here and sit with us! Don’t you envy us? We are going for a sleigh ride a few miles up the river!” “Gee! You don’t mean it! Are you sure it will hold?” asked Bert, with a grin. “Oh, I don’t mean on the river, Bert. I mean as near to it as we can get,” laughed Marion, gayly. “It is only frozen along the edges, but Mr. Gray says it is grand! Oh, Eomicbooks (ee) ~ 4 a