Marion Marlowe in Omaha, or, Held up by Accident — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

& MY QUEEN. A deep red flush mounted to the young girl’s brow, yet, with wonderful dignity, she answered his question. “I would not object to life upon a farm if it were my destiny, sir,” she said, simply ; “but at present I feel that I should fill another sphere. I think I am needed in the city far more than in the country, and I am far from the place that L long to fill in my present vocation. I have many rungs of the ladder to climb before I can rest at its top.” ihe ranchman leaned back in his seat, and his manner grew calmer. ~ “I’m er lookin’ fer a wife, Miss Marlowe,” he said, quietly, after a minute. “I reckon now I’ve got ther finest ranch in Arizony, an’ there’s boodle besides ter keep it er goin’. Every one in Omaha knows me, an’ { might say every one in ther State of Ne- brasky. I’m er rough rancher, an’ I’ve got faults, not er doubt erbout it; but I’d be as good ter er wife as if she wuz an angel. Now, pr’aps if yer knowed me better, I’d stand er chanee, Miss Marlowe—so I'd jest ask ye right hyar if I kin call on yer in ther city. Thet thar’s er fa’r an’ squar’ poppin’ of ther question, accordin’ to my notion. I’m askin’ ye afore yer friends, so’s thar’ll be no misunderstandin’.” If a thunderbolt had fallen in the car the astonishment could not have been greater. The ranchman’s voice was so deep that it sounded almost like a bellow, and every pas- senger in the car had heard his question. There was not a trace of discourtesy or jest upon the sun-browned face. He was as sin- cere as he was candid, while he -waited for the girl’s answer. CHAPTER II. A COLLISION. Put the beautiful star’s answer Was post- poned indefinitely. She was just opening her lips, when there came a fearful crash, then another, and another, and then all was con- fusion. “A collision! Hold on, girls!” Bert Jackson yelled the words, but they came too late—the car had toppled over. The din and roar of crashing glass and splintering timbers was in their ears; then frantic shrieks and cries seemed emanating from all directions. Dr. Reginald Brookes, who was _traveling with the company as “leading man” during an extended vacation, was the first to extri- cate himself from the frightful wreck that surrounded them, There was but one thought in his mind, © and that was to save Marion. But where was she? In the struggling mass of humanity and wreckage he could not get a glimpse of her, a A suspicious darkness seemed filling the car. As the doctor balanced himself firmly tipon the end of a seat he could see great clouds of smoke and steam roaring rapidly toward him. ; “Quick! Smash in that window, doc! I've got somebody!” yelled Bert Jackson, and the next instant the crash of glass overhead showed that he was filling his own orders. In some way—no one ever knew just how— Bert drew himself up through the broken The car was lying on its side. He was in a place of safety. window. But not for a minute had he lost his hold oy the clothing of Miss Ellis, who he had grasped in the first moment of horror, and the next minute Dr. Brookes was aiding him to drag her through the window, o As the young girl reached safety, the doc- tor looked again for Marion; but Mrs, Burn- side was reaching up toehim from under a pile of wreckage, and, with Bert’s help, she, too, was lifted to safety. “My baby! Save my baby!” It was a mother’s ery. comicbook