Marion Marlowe in St. Louis, or, A Forger's Bold Deed — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. “Yes, it will be hard for me to replace him,” was the answer, as the manager’s brow wrinkled. “I have thought and thought, but 1 don’t know an actor_that can touch him— at least, none that I can secure in this part of the country. I am sorry to detain him, - too,” he went on, slowly. “He is very anx- jous to go, and at first | thought he would not consent to my prayer; but Dr. Brookes never - thinks of himself when he can think of others. _ He will bear his trouble, whatever it is, rather - than put me to any inconvenience.” : Oh, I am so sorry for him!” cried Mar- ion, with tears springing to her eyes. _ Mr, Temple looked at her searchingly, and then sighed, as he answered: © _ “You are very fond of him, are you not, _ Marion? Don't be afraid to tell me, dear; J have conquered my jealousy completely.” _ The young girl’s voice trembled, but she - looked him fairly in the face as she replied: ~ “JT am fond of him, very; but not as you “mean, Mr. Temple,” she said, softly. “I _ think Dr. Brookes is the noblest man I ever _ met, and sometimes I wonder how I can be | so incapable of giving him my affection.” She walked away as she spoke without giv- ing him a chance to reply, and a minute later she was alone with Miss Allyn. “Well, I can’t understand it a little bit,” said her friend, when she had told her about the doctor. “It is not like Dr. Brookes to act that way; but, mark my words, Marion, he'll come out of that room just as calm as ever! Whatever it is, he will get the best of it. He is too brave and too unselfish to ever inflict his troubles on others.” — “If he only knew how gladly I would help him,” sighed Marion. “Why, there is noth- ing I would not do to help him bear his troubles!” “Listen, dearie!” said Miss Allyn, sudden- ly. “I thought I heard Bert’s whistle. He rooms with the doctor, so perhaps he knows! I wonder if it would be right for us to ask him.” Marion sprang to her feet and ran to the door, and the next minute Bert was shaking his head in answer to her question. “He got a lot of letters, and one of them knocked him out completely,” he said, anx- _ lously. Pe asked him what the trouble was, "tO worry. 19 and he laughed a sickly kind of laugh and told me he couldn’t tell me; that it was the kind of thing a fellow couldn’t divide; but that he’d brace up after a little, and for me not If the doctor had been in love with some gir] and she had thrown him over 1 could have understood ; but as it is, I’m blest if I can make anything out of it.” Marion wiped her eyes. There was noth- ing to be done. If the doctor did not wish any sympathy, she must try not to show any. . “It is all we can do to respect his wishes,” she said, quietly; “but I dc hope he will see his way clear to stay with the company. It would be dreadful to lose him before our tour is over!” | Bert left them a minute later with the thoughtful expression still upon his features. He could not endure the thought of the doc- tor leaving them. “He walked slowly down the street, intending to go to the theatre, but there were railroad tracks ,nearby, and he could see a group of workmen talking ex- citedly together. “T guess I'll go over and hear-what is going on,” was his first thought. The next minute a score or more of the workmen turned and came rapidly in his di- rection. Bert was listening to their angry words as they passed, when he was suddenly made aware of a light step behind him. He turned to see Lou Leland, almost out of breath, running as hard as she could, and smiling at him sweetly. !°? “Oh, Mr. Jackson! Do wait for me!” She called, in a coquettish voice. ‘““You naughty fellow, I believe you were actually hurrying for fear [ should catch you! disagreeable, Mr. Jackson?” “On the contrary, you are positively be- witching!” replied Bert, promptly. “Why, if I had known you were behind me I would have walked backward all the way! It’s a wonder that mv heart did not tell me of your nearness, Miss Leland!” “Don’t call me that—please don’t,” mur- mured the girl. “I would be so delighted to have you call me Lou—yjust you alone, you know! I would not dream of granting tha‘ privilege to any one else in the company.” “What an honor,’ was Bert’s answer, as COMICOOOKS. EO Am I so very