Marion Marlowe in Omaha, or, Held up by Accident — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

- _ right, he is the soul of honor. Miss Allyn, thoughtfully. aan “If I read the old fellow IT haven’t a Allyn, quickly. doubt that he would make an adorable hus- band.” “Oh, Alma, suppose he has been killed!” cried Marion, springing up. “Why, don’t you remembefyethe doctor was the last to see him, and he was then inside the car! After that the train caught fire—and, oh, what do you suppose became of him?” She was pale with consternation as the thought flashed into her mind. He was such a. bluff old fellow, she could not help liking . Ws “We must tell Bert to look him up,” said ‘said that every one in Omaha knew him. [| fancy a description will be all that is needed, and that is easily given.” “I should describe him as ‘picturesque,’ ” murmured Miss Ellis, softly. “He was so handsome in his buckskins and that wide sombrero.” —— “A typical ranchman, I fancy,” was Miss Allyn’s answer; “an ‘unpolished diamond,’ as the poets would say; or, better yet, ‘one of nature’s noblemen.’ ”’ “If he is all that, Alma, we certainly must not lose sight of him,” said Marion, smiling. “Oh, what a pity it is that there is no one in the company to marry him! I am out of the matrimonial question myself, and so are you, Alma, and so is Miss Ellis, but “Hold on, Marion! How am Vout of it 2” asked Miss Ellis, eagerly. Marion winked at her chum before she re- plied, and there was a@ mischievous smile curving her pretty features. “Why, I supposed you and Bert had things all settled by this time,” she said, demurely. “If I am wrong, pray ‘forgive me—and, oh, Miss Ellis, do take my advice, and marry the ranchman ! It will pay Bert up beautifully for being so tardy!” “fit hasn’t been found wanting yet,” “You know he. MY QUEEN. 2? Miss Ellis laughed, but there was a flush upon her cheeks. She was beginning to think with Marion—that Bert was a’ little “tardy.” “Pshaw! He don’t care a straw for me— that boy!” “He makes desperate love one day, and forgets all she tried to say, lightly. about it the next; still, as he always comes back, I can’t exactly call him fickle.” cried Marion, with just a trace of resentment. “Bert isn’t fickle abit. He is just testing your devotion.” “Well, he’s “T should say not!’’ tried it pretty thoroughly, and snapped “Why, just think how he has flirted with every soubrette in the company! the ingénue. He’s kept me on the ‘anxious seat’ ever since I first met.him!”’ “He ‘deserves a scolding, and he shall get it,’ said Marion, gayly; “but here he comes now. Shall [ administer it this minute?” “Oh, Marion, don’t! For heaven’s sake, don’t!” cried Miss Ellis, blushing. “Why, I wouldn’t even let him know that I was think- ing about him! { said, he’d be sure to get conceited.” “No, he wouldn’t! He’d just love you a thousand times more! I know that boy’s na- ture!” whispered Marion, stoutly. If he should ever hear what - “How are the invalids ?” called Bert, who | had been tapping gently on the door. “Every- body on deck in this quarter, Marion ?” “I can answer for myself,” said Miss Allyn, as he entered. “I’m slightly mutilated, but still in the ring, and I guess Miss Ellis is in about the same condition.” Bert’s lips were smiling, but there was an anxious look in his eyes as he walked over to the sofa and sat down by Miss Ellis. Marion discreetly turned her back and went over to Miss Allyn. 6¢T? . . I’m going in to see Ida now,” softly, in her ear. she said, “You make believe go to sleep, so you will not embarrass the lovers 3 a GOmichdooksnco =