Marion Marlowe in Society, or, A Race for a Title — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

, MY QUEEN. Ww Suddenly she was surrounded by a bevy -- of chattering young girls, some of whom __were really as sweet and lovable as Marion herself, and just then Mrs. Stetson came toward her, leaning on the arm of Bert Jack- ~ son. | | It was an experience that Marion will never forget, and for an instant it was ab- Bt, impossible to control her features. As she glanced around quickly she saw Lord Curry’s eyes fixed upon-her, and their expression sobered her instantly. pe But Bert was as composed as though there was nothing unusual about it. He stared at Marion blankly and acknowledged the intro- duction with great dignity. _ “T am honored, indeed, Miss Marlowe, * he said, with a graceful bow; “it was so kind of dear Mrs. Stetson to invite me this evening. Ah, good-evening, Miss Rushlyn—good- | evening, Miss Glenham.” — Bert had suddenly noticed these two young - Jadies at Marion’s side and, as he knew them an both, he was glad of the opportunity to speak ‘to them at just that minute. A little later the Duke was announced and -Marion’s heart beat faster in spite of her in- difference to titles. There was a perfect rush - to greet him the moment his name was men- tioned, and, for awhile, Marion was left alone with Lord Curry, at one end of the big parlors. . “Don’t forget the castle, Miss Marlowe,” he murmured, mischievously. “Oh, what wouldn’t I give to have a castle!” . “Would you be happier if you had bought a bride with a tumble-down old castle than with your own individual charms?” asked Marion, quickiy. ‘ “Happiness is not for such as I,” was the moody answer; “I am a creature of circum- stances which have been made for me by my ancestors.” “Break loose from them,’ whispered = Marion, as she saw Mrs. Stetson coming, surrounded by guests, who were all talking , together. Marion strained her eyes to get a glimpse of the Duke, but the advance guard of the group was Gus Van Twiller. | “Aw! So chawmed to meet the deah Duke again, don’t you know, Miss Marlowe! ‘politely. 15 Weally, I am almost wattled! I am, ‘pon honor!" Marion was glad that she was not obliged to reply, for, at that moment, the group sep- arated a little, so that she was able to see the. Duke distinctly. To save her she could not help the look that swept over*her fea- tures. It was the second trying moment she had experienced during the evening. The man whom Mrs. Stetson was bringing for- ward was the most unattractive specimen of humanity that had ever crossed the range of her vision. He was small and dark, with beady eyes and a receding forehead, while his nose and - mouth were large and repulsiye. Only the strong, wide chin kept him- from) looking absolutely idiotic. Yet these society ladies, or most of them, fairly swarmed about him, and their compli- ments might readily have turned the head of a far wiser man than the ill-favored possessor of a title and a castle. Marion nerved herself to meet the Duke She had caught the eyes of Miss Rushlyn and Lord Curry upon her, and a spirit of mischief took possession of her at once—they should never know just how she felt toward his Grace. The next moment she was laughing and chatting with the Duke and, much to her astonishment, she found him very pleasant and fairly clever. 7 His little eyes twinkled with admiration as he looked at her and, when dancing yas an- nounced, even Mrs. Stetson was surprised, for the Duke asked the privilege of leading the cotillion with Marion. Black looks would have followed them had such expressions of anger been allowa- ble. As it was, only smiles met Marion’s gaze, but the resentment which Miss Rush- lyn, in particular, felt for her was none the less bitter because of its being smothered. — CHAPTER VIII. LORD CURRY -AND MARION’ DISAGREBR. “The Duke was very cordially received last night,’ remarked lord Curry, the day after the presentation party, as he met the two ladies at luncheon. “Such an ovation as COMICMOOOKS. com —~ —* CO