Marion Marlowe in Denver, or, The Tragedy of Pike's Peak — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

K. He says the treat is on him, as it is the last act in our répertoire. The curtain falls, you know, upon our engagement at Denver. “Ves, I know, and I’m all-fired sorry,” was Bert’s doleful answer, “but Temple is all right ; we will appreciate his final ‘blow out.’ ” “Oh, he’s a dandy manager, and no mis- take about it!” said Olcott. Bert and the doctor winked at each other, but neither said a word, although it was their own plan to visit Pike’s Peak, and they were sharing the expense of the trip between them. Olcott paid no attention to the wink, but went on enthusiastically: “I’ve found out everything I can about the route. Got the time-table down fine and all that sort of thing, and now I must buy some alpenstocks or good stout canes so that the ladies will not get tired with the climbing.” “Rats! Who is going to climb?’ asked Bert. “Why, I’m going up on a bicycle, and sawbones, here, is going in an automobile! ~ What’s the matter with your getting a balloon for yourself, Olcott, and we'll charter a Pull- man to carry the ladies!” “Oh, no, you won't, Bert!” called out a merry voice. Olcott had left the door open and now two young ladies stood upon the threshold. One was Marion Marlowe, the beautiful young girl who was the star of the company, and the other was her dearest friend, Miss Alma Allyn. “Alma and I have decided how we shall climb the mountain,” she continued, gayly. She is going up on the wings of love, while I —well, F have a pair of roller skates that I think will answer!” There was a shout of leughter and the girls ran away, followed by Olcott. “Two of the noblest girls in the world,” said Bert, quickly, “but shall I call them beck, doc? We forgot the paper! Marion ought to know that thing that is to her ad- vantage !”’ The handsonte young physician’s hand closed over the paper. “No, don’t tell her yet, Bert, until I have talked with Mr. Temple. It would never do in the world to show it to Marion!” “She’d go pell mell into some trap or other, sure!” said Bert, soberly. “I guess you MY QUEEN. 3 are right, doc; we'll look after her this time ! Bert, come on; it’s getting late! Let’s show the thing to the manager. The two young men strolled out, thinking of only one thing. They both loved Marion and they were de- termined to protect her, but alas! man and destiny are unequal foes, and, as Dr. Brookes had said, destiny claimed this fair girl. The two young men were thinking of her many misadventures, and both were de- termined to protect her against such experi- ences in suture. CHAPTER II. BAD NEWS AND GOOD. Mr. Temple was in his office, and, when Dr. Brookes handed him the paper, he studied the paragraph, curiously. “That’s strange! Why, Waldo & Wilson are the leading attorneys of the town,” he said, briefly. “There must be something im- portant behind it, or they would not insert such a notice.” “If the ‘something important’ is fair and square, why didn’t they write a fetter like gentlemen?” asked Bert, indignantly. “I can’t see why they should resort to a ‘per- sonal’ when they have only to open their eyes te see that she is our star! There’s a hun- dred lithographs of her in this blooming city !”’ “That does look strange,” was the man- ager’s answer. “Still, if it is a hoax of any kind, Waldo & Wilson will be quite as in- dignant as any one. They have the kind of reputation that must not be tampered with.” “Suppose you call on them, as you are her manager,’ said the doctor, thoughtfully. “TI hate to see Marion go anywhere alone now- a-days. The minute she is out of sight, I be- gin to get the fidgets for fear that Chicago experience is about to be repeated.” "I think we had better show the notice to Marion,” said Mr. Temple, after a minute, “and then I can go as her business manager, as well as her escort. Certainly, if it is a legal matter, she is entitled to a witness.” “1 do hope none of these Western chaps are suing her for unrequited love or blighted afte Pe ” ‘ . 6eryN ctions, said Bert, laughingly. oo here. 3}