Marion Marlowe in Columbus, or, Accused of a Crime — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

itil morning. I thought it was the safest way to keep him handy.” “But the sergeant will let him out,” began “Not much,” laughed Bert. “I took pains » see that my scrap came off in another pre- inct. I made believe I was half killed, and, being only a boy, the sergeant roasted him for hitting me. I didn’t let on how I sassed him to make him hit me!” The others roared and Miss Allyn patted him on the shoulder. “Tm going straight back .to tell Marion; that is, if they will let me see her,” she said, lelightedly. “I mean to keep her posted on very step in the proceedings.” —- “Oh, I forgot this! Pray pardon me!” ried Bert, drawing a letter from his pocket. I went over to the station-house, thinking I might find you there, and, when they told me farion was locked up, I sent in a note to er. She answered my note and sent you “And wouldn’t they let you, see her?” asked fiss Allyn, clutching the letter. ‘T offered them everything I had in my lothes,” said Bert, disgustedly. ‘The old curmudgeon could have been bribed if there hadn’t been so many officers around. As it vas, he was so honest that it made me Miss Allyn opened her letter and the tears rose to her eyes. , : Marion was trying so hard to be brave that it was actually pathetic. “Dear Alma. and all the rest of my friends,” read Miss Allyn, as soon as she _ could control her voice; “really, I am hav- _ ing a jolly time in my prison cell. I have _ made the acquaintance of one charming drunk and disorderly, and there’s a lunatic across _the way who has taken me for the Virgin _ Mary, and is at this minute on her knees sup- _ plicating me in language that makes my blood — run cold—it is a mixture of Irish-American, richly interlarded with profanity. When I get out of this extraordinary place I intend _ to write a story; so, of course, you under- stand that all this experience is valuable. I do hope Bert is not badly hurt. The dear Doy wrote me a brief note telling me how he Nad secured Bill Jenkins. He’s an improve- ment on Sherlock Holmes, isn’t he, Alma? Now, don’t worry about me, but just try and Set me out. It will break my heart if I am ot in time for the performance.” yy he dear girl!’ cried Miss Allyn, as she fmished; “she is thinking only of the per- formance. She doesn’t mind her own posi- 10N,, but she dreads to disappoint the public.” _ it makes me frantic to think of her being Shut up with such people! Come, doctor, we MY QUEEN. 23 we must do something! What shall it be?” cried Mr. Temple. Dr. Brookes looked at his watch. The time had flown rapidly. As he studied it for a moment, he was thinking deeply. “There’s another train in from the north- east in two hours,” he said, slowly. gin is atall suspicious that Bill Jenkins is not going to pay him for his share in this busi- riess he may take the chance of coming after his boodle.”’ “Tt’s not a bad suggestion! detective at the station,” said the manager, promptly, “and, meanwhile, | shall close the theatre and put up a sign. Not one of us will be in condition to give a performance this evening. If Miss Marlowe is at liberty, | shall insist upon her resting.” “Tf Wig- I'll have a “T think you are right,’ said the doctor, quietly. ‘Now, if you will answer that note, I will deliver it, Miss Allyn. I am going to the place and I intend to see Marion.” “Heaven help the man that tries to stop you when you speak like that, doctor,” said “T’ll run up to .the dressing-room and write it this minute. I have some paper and a pencil in my , Miss Allyn, staring at him. pocket.” As she hurried away, Bert followed her slowly. His head really ached where Jen- kins had hit him, and he wanted to be alone until he felt better. “T’ll speak to my man in the box-office “All tick- ets sold to-day must be for to-morrow evening. When Marion is out and clear of that hideous charge, the public will prob- ably be even more anxious to see her!” He started toward the ticket-office just as a quietly-dressed man came into the lobby. “The detective that I hired to watch Miss Chester,” he explained to the doctor, then took a step forward and listened to the man this minute,” said Mr. Temple. eagerly. “The woman’s companion just got a tele- “gram from Wiggin asking him about ‘money, reported the sleuth-hound, softly. The telegram is from Spencer, which is only twenty miles from Columbus, so it looks as if the fellow did not return to Cleveland.” “e And was the telegram answered?” asked- Mr. Temple, eagerly. _ The detective gave a shrewd wink. which included the doctor, as he replied: “Sure! The fellow wired him that Jen- kins had the boodle and told him, further- more, that the trainman had just been ar- rested.” And what is your opinion of the out- come?” asked the doctor, quickly. The detective winked again, but his re showed great shrewdnessc© im (c ly DOOLK COUN