Marion Marlowe in Buffalo, or, Betrayed by a Rival Company — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

> 20 MWY a song and dance or fill in time between the acts of some immoral farce or drama!” “They know better, now,” said Miss Allyn, smiling. “When you called Rose a ‘cur’ at the Falls to-day I saw his face turn crim- son. I fancy he knows by this time that you are not of his order of being.” “Do, you know, I can't help thinking that the fellow that followed us to-day was one of their pemipe ty ” said Marion, as she began her toilet. “He kept behind us so persistent- ly and then disappeared so suddenly. I may have been mistaken, but [| thought his actions were suspicious.” “So did I,” said Miss Allyn, as she started brushing her hair; “but they were not half as suspicious as are Our own managers, just at present! What in the world does he mean by not having the theatre open? Marion did not reply, but her eyes looked her anxiety. Miss Allyn rose as she spoke and rang the bell vigorousl?. When the boy from the office responded she spoke to him anxiously. “Has Mr. Temple, or any of the members of his company, come in siice we came If they have, tell them to come up here— Miss Marlowe wants to see them!” The boy started from the dper and then suddenly stood still. “Which Miss Marlowe is it?’ he asked, a little stupidly. “‘Lhere’s two on ‘em in the hotel, One came this mornin’ and one this evenin’.” Miss Allyng eyes flew open, but she did not hesitate an instant. “Tell the one that came this evening that the one that came this morning would like don’t fail to your make it niss. to see her; and look here, boy, up. Here's a quarter for bring her in, Ul bring her trouble. If fifty.” ‘All right, [il do my best!" bell-boy, grinning; then Miss \Ilyn «turned toward Marion, and they both stared at each other. “So that’s the secret of the whole thing!” cried Miss Allyn, finally. “They had the audacity to discover another Marion Mar- you miss. said the lowe lV’ “ft certainly imiously; “and, of nothing to be done, said Marion, thar is the They have looks like it,” COUTSE, if there 18 QUEEN. y Alma! 3 7 “Well, I don’t believe it,” said her triedd, growing angry. Marlowe! This new one is a fake!” =~ Marion slowly began to dress. The mys- tery of the closed theatre was worn her . dreadfully. “A quarter of eight! Alma,” she said, suddenly. hear of anything so strange. Now, what in the world has become of Mr. Temple ?”. There was a tap on the door, and Miss Al- lyn hurried to open it. Miss Lee, the sou- brette of the Temple Company, was standing in the door. She had jusfreturned from Ni- agara, and her eyes were red with weeping. “Oh, Miss Lee! What has happened ?” he: gan Marion, but the soubrette interrupted her. With a shriek of perfect delight, she clasped both arms around the young: girl's shoulders. “Oh, Miss Marlowe! We thought you were dead!’ she sobbed, hysterically. “We thought you were drowned in those awtul Rapids! Oh, I can't believe it! lieve it!” Marion’s cheeks turned pale, but she spoke with unusual firmness: “What in the world do you mean, Miss Lee? Why, I have not been in a boat to-day It was too late to cross the river to Mr. Gray's villa when we reached the little hamlet, so we came right back in order to be on time for the performance. Compose yourself, please, and tell me what you mean by think- ing me in the Rapids.” Pearl Lee wiped her eyes, but her voice still trembled. The excitement of the day had been almost unbearable, but she made a brave effort to calm herself as she answered ; ‘A boat came through the Rapids and was'thrown ashore,” she began, bravely ; “and some one recognized it as belonging to that gentleman, Mr. Gray, and, of course, we thought you were crossing the river, and— down and— She could get no further, but burst out weeping. They were tears of joy that her fears were unfounded. “Is that why the 1 ge is closed ?” asked Miss Allyn, , Marion! as like suddenly “There's only one Marion We ought to start, 7 “Did you ever I can't be- is % cbooks.co et etd ie epee eae *