Marion Marlowe in Denver, or, The Tragedy of Pike's Peak — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

2 e. terrible death! Perhaps he was not even dead, only mutilated and mangled. The guide had crept close to the precipice and glanced over eagerly. As he came back trom the slippery edge he shook his head stupidly. “Do you think he is killed?” Marion asked the question with bated breath. She almost hoped that he would answer in the affirmative. The fellow stared at her a minute and again shook his head. In an instant the brave girl had resolved upon something. “Then you must save him!’ She had found her voice now, and the words were said sternly; at the same time she put her hand in her pocket and drew out some money. The half-breed glanced at the bills greed- ily, but did not move. He had thought of a way of securing that money without taking the trouble to rescue the lawyer. One look into his face showed Marion his thoughts, and in an instant she threw her whole soul into a tremendous ef- fort to make him obey her. “You must save him! You must!’ she cried, almost frantically. “You cannot let him lie there and die of his injuries! I will expose you to every one! I will ruin your business! Go to him at once, if the thing is possible, or, if it is not, lead me to my friends, and they will help you!” The fellow understood her and, for a mo- ment, he seemed inclined to heed, but, after another glance at the threatening abyss, he shook his head even more savagely. “Won't go down! Won’t risk neck! Find friends for ten dollars,” he muttered, with another greedy glance toward her money. Marion had been gradually creeping nearer to the fatal spot, but she stopped as she saw the ugly look upon his features. Perhaps, if she refused him the money, he would fling her over! She recoiled from him with horror and started back up the moun- tain. “Come!” she said, sternly. “You shall have your money! The lawyer must lie there until I can find some one who ts brave enough to go to his aid! Take me back to may friends!” ‘was climbing like a deer. MY QUEEN. The fellow followed her sullenly, for she It would be a minute, at least, before he could overtake her. ‘Marion! Marion!” The cry came echoing over the mountain, like a bugle blast. It was Bert Jackson’s voice and, in a second, the young girl dn swered it. ‘ “Oh, Bert! Come quick!” she’ shrieked, with all her might. “I am here! Come! Come! And oh, hurry!” Her limbs were trembling under her, but her friends were at hand. As she toiled up a step farther, the half-breed’s heavy hand fell upon her shoulder. Marion still clutched the money and, in. an instant, she held -it out to him. It might save her life, and it was only ten dollars. Again Bert’s voice came ringing over the spur of the mountains. It was like a beacon in the night leading to safety. She looked behind her. gone. She caught a glimpse of his head as he disappeared behind a boulder. But this treachery did not matter now that her friends were near. She had only to shout and shout to guide them in her di- rection. But neither Marion nor Bert were fa- | miliar with the echoes in the hills and, in spite of her frequent halloing, Bert’s voice erew fainter and fainter and, at last, to the young girl’s horror, it faded out completely. What did it mean? saken? ~e 7 In utter weariness she dropped upon the ground and tried to think it over. How far had she wandered and which way should she go? ’ . | Nothing but rocks, rocks, rocks appeared — before her, and the bald peaks rose like bleak wilderness in every direction, She shouted and shouted until her throat grew hoarse as she sat patiently; then rose as she felt herself growing cold and toiled on a few steps further, her thoughts reverting constantly to the injured lawyer, lying, perhaps, dead, perhaps dying, only a few rods below her. It was a frightful situ- ation and night was coming on. As Marion Eomicbooks com) The guide had Had she been for- —