Marion Marlowe in Omaha, or, Held up by Accident — page 21: what you’re looking at

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13 MY “you lb just laugh and grow fat. When I am ready to marry you, I expect you to be a famous actress; but, oh, gee whiz! I forgot something, darling! Dad expects me to study for the ministry, you know! Well, won't that be a-combination! A minister marrying an actresst,. <= “Oh, Bert, you are not serious?” said Miss Ellis, as soon as she could stop laughing; “you certainly have no idea of ever becom- ing a minister.” » Bert~pursed up his lips and gazed away across the smooth, white snow. — “I’m almost too good to bevanything else,” he said, calmly. “Really, L think I Was in- tended to grace a pulpit; I’d make just the sort of a minister that all the ladies in the parish would like. Just think of the ‘sewing bees’ and ‘teas’ and ‘sociables’ that I could drop in at!” ¢ “Hem! Some people are wonderfully stuck on themselves,’ remarked his sweetheart, coolly; “but if it is feminine adoration that you are looking for, you had better stick to the stage. A minister isn’t ‘in it’ with a matinée idol!” “T guess you are right,” laughed Bert, as he drew out the whip; “but honestly, now, , dear, I don’t want any one to love me but you, for, to tell you the truth, your affec- tion has the strangest effect upon me.” “Why, Bert! What do ‘you mean?” asked the girl, as she noticed the solemn look in his face. “T can’t explain it exactly, but it makes me feel queer,” was the quiet answer. “I’m not half so stuck on myself as I was before. Somehow, I think it has scared me a little to know that you love me.” “T understand, Bert,’ said Miss Ellis, soft- I guess true We keep asking ourselves if we are really worthy. ly, “and I feel that way, too. love is apt to humble one a little. “That’s it,” assented Bert, with a look of QUEEN. relief. “That is what I meant, but I couldn't quite say it.” 4 a There was a moment’s silence, for Bert was busy with the ponies and Miss Eilia was gazing about on a bit of wild country, deso- late in its barren appearance. — “How quickly one can leave the city be- hind,” she said, dreamily. Tm Bert’s only answer was a smothered ex- clamation. | . ‘There was a clatter of hoofs and a man passed them on horseback. He was mounted on a powerful horse and dashed past like a cyclone. “i “It's that pickpocket! I am sure of it!” muttered Bert, between his teeth. “It is one of those fellows that I saw on the train. Now, where in thunder do you suppose he is 333 going? Miss Ellis thought a minute as she watched the retreating figure, which was soon lost to sight in the curve of the roadway. “If I only knew, I would tell the police., They are supposed to be watching him,” was Bert’s next comment. “Marion and the commodore went that way, didn’t they?” asked Miss Ellis. ‘Oh, Bert, you don’t suppose he is after the ranch- man, do you? He surely couldn't rob him in broad daylight! Why, the commodore is as big as two of that fellow!” , | “That doesn’t count,’ said Bert, as he whipped up the ponies. “That rascal may be armed, and probably the commodore is not. He’s just the sort of a man who would scorn to carry a weapon.” “Still, he could easily get away with that team of mustangs,” said the girl, again; “‘and another thing, Bert—they may have gone in some othe: direction. How can any one be sure exactly where he will drive? A man never knows himself, when he has his sweet- heart with him!” : tert laughed aloud, and then drew in the ponies suddenly, Eomicbooks..com