Marion Marlowe in Buffalo, or, Betrayed by a Rival Company — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

18 Bert stared in horror for the space of a second ; the next moment some one came up behind him and touched him on the shoulder. He turned and confronted his manager, Mr. Temple. J “Pshaw! Don’t croak!” he tried to say, but his voice trembled curiously. Dr. Brookes had heard the words, and his face had paled instantly, but he laid his hand on his young friend’s shoulder, encourag- ingly. “They are too far up for that—don’t think of it, Bert,’ he said, quickly. “Mr. Gray is not the man to take his guests into danger.”’ He put his hands over his eyes as he spoke and looked sharply across the water. He was trying not to show how the old gentle- man’s words had startled him. The Rapids were still churning and foaming, and now and then a cake of ice went rushing by, but there was no sign of a boat, as far as he could see. Evidently something had stopped it, or turned its course entirely. Bert was standing by Mr. Temple now and, without a word, the manager showed him Marion’s telegram. The youth gave a whistle Of surprise and an indignant exclamation passed his lips. If it had been his nature, he would have given way to profanity; but, as it was, he man- aged to calm himself with an effort. “What have you done?” he asked, puzzled look on his face. “Given up as beaten and closed the the- atre! What else was there for me to do?” was the disconsolate answer. . “Great Scott! You don’t mean to say that you believed it!’ Bert almost shouted. “Why, man! I tell you it is a lie! A base, ‘afernal lie! Marion never sent that tele- grain, if she is in her sane and sober senses !" with a “But Rose saw her here at Niagara,” be- van Mr. Temple. “Yes and followed her, they tell me, when che started off with the Grays. He probably meant to see her again and offer her more but——”’ There was a sudden break in Bert's voice, and just then some one spoke near him. “Tt’s about a reckon ! she ought to have heen here long Ago if she villa.” ten-mile current, | started from Gray s MY QUEEN. The words were ominous. There was Ho mistaking their meaning. J As he gazed into Mr. Temple’s ashen face, he seemed to-understand the situation. © “Oh, Mr. Temple! It can’t be possible. He would not harm her!” he whispered, cautiously. “He might try to detain her—to keep her from appearing at the Alhambra, but no man, no matter how vile he was, cculd do such a thing as that!” He glanced at the Rapids again with hor- ried eyes, and Mr. Temple’s hand seemed like lead on his shoulder. ‘Rose may have tried to detain her; Jones said that was his intention,” he added, husk- ily; “and there might have been an accident, Bert! We can only wait * “T'll wait for nothing!’ muttered Bert, clenching his fists. “If Marion goes over the Falis, I will go over with her, but I don’t be- lieve it, Mr. Temple! I won’t believe it! That is all there is about it!” “Neither will I until I have to,” said Mr. Temple, in the same cautious voice. “Don't let us allow ourselves to think such a thing, if we can help it!” ae The doctor was standing where he could not hear them, and now both Bert and Mr. Temple stared silently at the foaming water. Suddenly there was a shriek from some one, that was echoed by a hundred throats. The vigil had been long, but.it was about to be rewarded. Something had been seen in the seething waters: it was a boat, bottom up, and tossing wildly. The horror was real; it had been no hoax. In an instant the cold was forgotten and every eye was strained across the churning waters. “Empty! They have gone down, poor souls 1” It was the solemn old man who spoke the words, Bert set his teeth together hard and looked around for the doctor. “Don't tell him—it’s no use,” whispered Mr, Temple, in his ear; “let us wait for proof before we distress him.” sort nodded his head. There was a deso~ ; i ate look in his eyes. (fofnj) Kel oxoXe).<S (eo) =e