Marion Marlowe in Chicago, or, Trapped by a Lunatic — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

22 tion. It was the first person he had met in the ten minutes of walking. The doctor buttoned his coat tightly over his watch and money and walked steadily on. He was just im the mood to meet highway- men or looters. : Way down at the corner he could see a glimmer of electric light, but the gas lamps between were like tiny candles in the mist that seemed floating in the air. Suddenly a form came between him and the light, and the man who was approaching stopped unsteadily and peered at him. “Well, what can I do for you, my friend?” began the doctor, civilly. There was silence for a minute, and then a strangely familiar voice answered: “Vou can direct me to Dearborn street, if you know the way. I have been in a den of thieves and am two-thirds dead. Give me a nickel and a street-car, boss, and you’ll do me a favor.” Dr. Brookes moved nearer as the fellow was speaking, but he turned up his coat col- lar at the same time and pulled his hat brim down lower. “What place did you strike?’ he asked, in a slightly altered voice. “Not Dago alley, I hope, my good fellow ?” “You've hit it.’ was the maudlin answer, and then the fellow burst out crying. He was utterly worn out with walking and posi- tively ill from’ bad whisky. “Come this way, my friend,” said the doc- tor, taking him by the arm; “it’s only a short walk, and I'll go along with you.’ He turned back toward the station-house half dragging the fellow, and had nearly reached the steps before his conypanion began to regain his senses, “What you taking me here for? I ain't done nothing!’ he suddenly cried out, as he recognized the station-house lights. Dr. Brookes.took a grip upon his coat col- lar that was anything but playful. “You'll find out what I have brought you 4 minute, Bill Jones!’ he said, here for in furiously. tion as a sneak, aud T also knows that you © ’ 7Te fr rer of |}? ercy |? re ston’ gs,” “T happen to know yortgr repute. lank of the rusty MY QUEEN. CHAPTER XI. IN DAGO ALLEY. When the remaining members of the Tem- ple Theatrical Company retired that night, not so much as a word had been received of the whereabouts of Mr. Temple or of Marion. Every building on the north side was be- ing ransacked now, for a general alarm had been sent_out for the young girl, and the blue- coats were show aay unusual interest in the | case, But their courageous efforts were of n0- avail, for Marion was hidden as safely from her friends as she was from her enemies. When she dropped from the window of the rear room of the saloon to the mud of the alley, she was ext ran fortunate in receiv- ing no injury. She scrambled to her feet instantly ‘and was off like the wind, her one thought being to get away from those who pursued her. As she flew through the darkness, she all _ at once collided with some one. It took but an instant for her to see that it was a woman. “Ouick! Hide me!” she cried, breathlessly. “Oh, madam! Do, please, hide me! I am pursued by fiends! They will kill me if they find me!” There was no answer whatsoever to her piteous appeal, and Marion bent lower and stared at the poor creature. “Oh, I see! You are an Italian! not understand!” The next minute she had pulled off her watch and chain and was dangling them be- fore the woman, Instantly, the woman snatched for them, but Marion jerked the watch back, at the same time putting her hand on the woman's shoulder and pushing her gently. “Tlome! Take me home with you! '* she begged, eagerly. “Take me home! Hide me, and you shall have it!” The word “home” alone caught the wo- man’s ear. She grabbed Marion’s arm and almost dragged her after her. It seemed an age before the wre ‘tched crea- ture reached her shanty, and, when there, the padlock sounded cruelly Rut it was a woman with whom hipht be_vicious, You do ominous. she had to deal now. phen * es SU | { ; | | ; ‘ ’ 4 : ‘ 4