Marion Marlowe in St. Louis, or, A Forger's Bold Deed — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. Bert put both hands into his pockets and sauntered down the stairs, leaving Lou stand- ing like a statue, wondering what in the world had happened. “He’s a funny boy,” went on Miss Allyn, gayly. “Bert ts a comedian by nature as well as by vocation! I’m beginning to think there is only one ‘Bert Jackson.’ ” “Lucky thing there isn’t another,” broke in a voice from the next dressing-room, where Mrs. Burnside was busy changing lit- tle Ruby’s costume. “Tf there should happen to be two we'd all have to divide our affections again, and, for myself, I don’t care to do that, Alma! My heart will never contain more than Mr. Tem- ple, Bert and the doctor !”’ “T can go you one better ! quartered!” laughed Miss Allyn. My affection 1s “Now, I wonder if Marion will be honest and tell us the condition of her heart—just how many lovers inhabit the different corners!” There was a gay laugh from Marion as she came up the stairs. “There is only one lover in my heart, Al- ma! There could never be but one,” she said, gayly. “Why, if I loved one truly there would be no room for the others; my love for one would absorb my whole soul; that is my na- ture, | guess; and at present my art is my lover! I am not so fortunate as some of my friends, Alma!”’ Lou Leland went down to the stage more mystified than ever. She was indeed out of place in this extraordinary company. But there were other things to puzzle over besides what she had heard, for her room- mate’s actions were, to say the least, peculiar. Something must have altered her opinions wonderfully, or she would not have taken it upon herself to confiscate the letters. Lou could not imagine what it was, but she was on the lookout for treachery. CHAPTER VII. MABEL TRIES LOVE-MAKING. Marion had guessed right. Mr. Temple’s surprise was a supper, and every member of the company was present except Miss Leland. Lou had been met at the stage door by a young man immediately after the perform- 13 ance; but she had left a polite note of regret for the manager. “We have been on the road four weeks to-day,’ said Mr. Temple, as he seated his guests at the table, which had been spread upon the stage while they were dressing after the final curtain. “Tt doesn’t seem possible that it has been so long,” said Marion, dreamily. “What a happy time we have had together.” Dr. Brookes looked at her tenderly. She had spoken his very thoughts. It had been the happiest month of his whole existence. When the company started on its road tour it was not intended to last longer than a month, but that month had been so successful that the tour was prolonged a few weeks. Marion was dressed all in white, and was looking exquisitely beautiful, and, as the doc- tor looked at her, he suddenly thought of something. Although*he had managed to pro- long his vacation, he realized that in another month at most he must go back to his prac- tice. He had been fortunate in securing a well-known physician to take charge of his practice while he was away, but he had lately received word from his co-worker that would make his return absolutely necessary within a few weeks. Besides, it was his duty to return and continue his career of usefulness in the city. But how could he part with this beauti- ful girl, who had grown daily dearer and dearer until he now almost adored her? Marion had refused to marry him some time before. She was devoted to him as a friend, but she was too honest to say that she loved him. It was impossible for her to look into his eyes without reading his adoration, but from the day of her refusal he had not breathed a word of his affection. Now, as the jolly chatting went on, both Marion and Miss Allyn were thinking of his devotion. ~ Things are still lively around the town,” said Olcott, as he helped Miss Maitland to a bit of salad. “One of the rioters was killed at ten o'clock. I heard an ‘extra’ at eleven, so I ran to the door and bought one.”’ Bert looked grave in an instant, and Marion glanced at him sympathetically. “Poor fellow! He was a good man, too,” went on Olcott, calmly. “The paper said.he’d yg” COMNMUCWOOKS (CO)