Marion Marlowe in Denver, or, The Tragedy of Pike's Peak — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. 19 voice. “Well, you do not know me, my girl, or foul, you will marry me, my beauty! It if you think I will take ‘no!’ for an answer! is for you to say; but you must decide this "Ha, ha! As if Homer Waldo would accept minute!” a refusal, and from a child like you! The “T will never marry you! Never! You thing is preposterous, Miss Marlowe!” are a fiend—a scoundrel!” cried Marion, “What do you mean, sir?” cried Marion, hotly. “No one buta coward would treat a in a perfect agony of alarm. His words had helpless girl like this! Oh, how I loathe made her see him in a new light, and she was and despise you, Mr. Waldo!” changed instantly. In that instant Marion caught a glimpse “Quick! Lead me back to my party! ofa solitary figure in the distance. How dare you detain me?” In a frenzy of despair she sent a last loud She was crimson with indignation, and her cry through the storm; then she felt herself great eyes were flashing. As Homer Waldo lifted bodily from the ground by the strong gazed at her he seemed to suddenly become arms of the lawyer. inflamed with passion. “You are magnificent—glorious!” he mut- CHAPTER XI. , tered, inher ear. “Look, Marion! the storm and darkness are almost upon us, and you are in my power! I ask you once more— Marion struggled desperately; but it was will you try to love me, Marion?” of no avail. The man who carried her The young girl drew back haughtily as seemed possessed of extraordinary strength, his breath swept her cheek. There was a_ and, moreover, he was as sure-footed on the huge gust of wind that seemed, for a mo- treacherous side of the mountain as though ment, to shake the very foundations of the he was treading the streets of Denver. great mountain below her. _ _ When he released his hold upon her she “Back! Don’t dare to touch me!” she al- was inside of a natural cave which sheltered — most shrieked; then her voice rang out like her from the tempest that was still raging a bugle blast, only to be swallowed up in about them. AN HEROIC DEFENSE. _ the roar of the wind. _ But had he brought her here simply to > The lawyer laughed fiendishly as she ‘protect her from the wind? shouted again and again; but there was no The poor girl’s heart sank within her as answer to her cries. she asked herself the question. What should she do? Her first impulse as her feet touched the {t was a horrible question. The wind was ground was to fly from the place; but, in blowing fearfully now, and the darkness an instant she realized how useless her flight seemed to envelop her. would be, for the scoundrel could easily | “Marion, listen!” whispered the lawyer’s overtake her, if, indeed, she succeeded in _ voicein her ear. “There is no need to shout, passing him. for I have paid that guide to lead your party She tried to scan his features in the dim out of sight and where the wind will not light of the cave; but, for several minutes, carry your voice to them. Once more Iask while they both stood panting for breath, you—will you be my wife? It is your last she could only distinguish the outlines of opportunity to answer the question volun- his athletic figure. tarily!” And to think that she had dreamed of “What do you mean?” loving this man! Marion’s cheeks were like ashes as she The thought thrilled every fibre of her be- spoke. She suddenly realized what this ing with horror and repugnance. fiend’s intention was. Alma was right—it was a form of magnet- A harsh laugh followed, and then these ism! The man was probably a mesmerist, words were hissed into her ear. like one she well remembered—the villain “You shall never escape me, Marion; for who had abducted her twin sister, Dollie, _. I love you! Do you hear? By fair means from their home in LEC OMG OOKSEEO