Marion Marlowe in Denver, or, The Tragedy of Pike's Peak — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

he MY QUEEN. 52 and Brinker Institute, and I’ve had parks enough to last me a lifetime !”’ “I have an engagement at the lawyers’ at ten,” said Marion, softly; “but, of course, I expected Mr. Temple to go with me. What ‘5 the matter with him, do yow suppose? You can’t tell anything by Bert. I remember now that he did look strange this evening.” Miss Allyn gave her a sharp look, but she did not reply. She knew it would only pain the girl to know Bob Tinton’s opinion of what ailed the manager. “He'll be all right to-morrow, probably,” she said, as she began braiding her hair for the night. “T presume he is tired out, like the rest of us. Mr. Temple is not over strong to be doing so much traveling.” “Well, there’s not much more to do,” said Miss Ellis, sighing. ‘We'll soon be back in New York wondering what we'll do next, or at least, that will be my fate. The rest of you are more fortunate.” Miss Allyn flushed prettily and smiled at herself in the glass. “Yes, I shall go to work on my wedding trousseau,” she said, gayly, “and the next thing will be the wedding day and then the honeymoon! I am not penetrating the fu- ture any farther than that,” she added, laugh- ing. “And Marion will be an heiress and not obliged to work any more,” said the ingénue, a little wistfully. “I don’t envy her exactly; still, I do just a little. Oh, dear, it is awful to have a boy for a lover! Just think, Bert has three years of college life before we can be married!” She breathed such a heavy sigh that both girls laughed at her. “That is the folly of loving early,” said Alma, chidingly. “Twenty-five is quite young enough to marry, in my opinion.” “Horrors! Do you suppose I could wait seven years?” cried Miss Ellis. “Why, I am morally certain that three will kill me! {It®@ seems like an eternity—that college course! I’d almost rather that Bert should live and die in ignorance!” “Well, he couldn’t do that very well, col- lege or no college,” laughed Marion. “Bert is wise beyond his age, and it is wonderful, too. Why, just think, the poor dear boy never had a single advantage, but there are very few city-bred boys who are his equal or superior !”’ “Bert is a wonder in every way,” said Alma Allyn, decidedly, “and, really, 1 pity you, girlie, for having to wait so long for him. But he is sure to distinguish himself and now is your chance. You must try to be a famous actress, so that Bert will be proud of you.” Miss Ellis drew another sigh and her face clouded pitifully. “T’ll try, of course, but [ am sure it will be useless! I have not an ounce of talent or genuis or anything else in me Yt “Good gracious! What a laughed Miss Allyn, teasingly. “Well, have a sandwich quick and then go to bed. Perhaps things will look more rosy in the morning!” vacuum !” The ingénue took her ‘advice and said eood-night. When they met again it was at their nine o’clock breakfast. None of the gentlemen of the company were up so early, so as ten o’clock drew near Marion grew a little uneasy. | “T am sure Mr. Temple is ill,’’ she said to Miss Allyn. ‘Now, what shall I do, Alma? Shall I disturb him or pot? Don’t you think it will be just as well if you go to the law- yer’s with me?” | “Certainly, [ll go!’ said Miss Allyn, promptly, then she sent a bell boy to inquire after the health of the manager. The message came back that Mr. Temple was in a high fever; Bert was sitting with him and had sent for a doctor. “Now, what in the world does that mean ?”’ asked Miss Ellis, quickly; “why isn’t Dr. Brookes with him, I should like to know?” Miss Allyn tried to shut her off, but she was too late. Marion’s wondering eyes were asking the same qttestion. “No doubt the doctor is asleep, and they do not wish to disturb him,” was the quick explanation; “I’ll run up and see, Marion; it won't take but a minute. Bert isn’t much use as a nurse—so I may be needed.” As she ran away, Marion glanced at her watch. In exactly ten minutes she was due in the lawyers’ office. coppiclooolkS.conn