Marion Marlowe in St. Paul, or, The Company's Mascot in a Double Deal — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. 9 The mascot promptly slid down from his perch and started for the door, but Marion made a quick movement and stood in the doorway. ‘ “Oh, I didn’t say you wouldn’t reap your reward,” she said, merrily. “Of course, it is my duty to appreciate your efforts, but $ contemptuous gesture. “Dat guff don’ go, see! I ain’t no bloomin’ chump! Yer can’t jolly dis kid inter no sech deal as dat! De question is, wat do I’se get fer doin’ de mascot ack? It’s wort’ a dime er _ day, an’ dat’s no joke, needer !”’ : “Vou shall have your dime, and more, too,” langhed Marion, gayly. “So go back to the trunk, ‘Jackets,’ and we'll talk it over.” The boy scrambled back to his piace with ‘an expression of great relief on his dirty face, and jugt then Miss Ellis and Mrs. Burn- side came in and took a look at him. “Padh’t you better clean him up a little, Marion?” asked Mrs. Burnside, timidly. 7 “J don’t think so,’ was the quick reply. “You see, I am going to indulge my super- stitions on this occasion—and, then, those smudges on his face are so artistic!’ » “No, don’t alter him a mite!” chimed in Miss Ellis, enthusiastically. a horseshoe around his neck and let him go as he is! Why, he’s an ideal mascot! We'll do a splendid business—no doubt about it.” “If these things are any proof, we certainly are on the road to success,” said Mr. Temple, as he appeared in the doorway with a lot of letters. “Here’s a dozen mash notes for you girls and two bouquets for Miss Marlowe. Oh, we'll do a good business, all right, if the ‘Johnnies’ are with us!’ Marion took her letters and glanced at them carelessly, for she was still keeping one eye on her agile caller. “The flowers are beautiful! I do love roses so much!” said Miss Ellis, as she took one of the bouquets. The next minute she drew a note from the mass of blossoms, and handed it to Marion. “An invitation to dine at Denham’s to- night after the performance,” said the young girl, as she opened it. “The same old story— he adores my picture, and will understand it to mean yes if I wear his roses.” . “Jackets” interrupted her remark with a “T’d just hang “What a flower garden you would be if you wore all their posies!” murmured Miss Ellis, merrily. “And think of all the lobsters you could eat if you partook of all their dinners !” “Some people are very dense,” said Miss Allyn, quietly. “They think because we are actresses we do not observe the convention- alities! Why, even ‘Jackets,’ here, knew us well enough to send up his card! Let’s see, the ace of spades—what does that signify, Marion ?” “T’m afraid ‘t means bad luck. Couldn’t you change it for once, ‘Jackets?’ ” she asked, smilingly. “‘A mascot shouldn’t be carrying a bad luck card, you know. But, then, of course, you did not know you were a mas- cot “Naw! I didn’t know it!” retorted the boy, with a grin; and then he calmly drew a small bag of peanuts from his pocket and started munching them. “Here’s another note, Marion,” said Miss Ellis, as she turned her attention to the other bouquet. “Do please give me the pleasure of perusing the contents?” - ee it in the waste-basket when you have read it,” laughed Marion, as she put on her hat. “I have no time or inclina- tion to read such missives. Really, I think these notes are one of the most unpleasant features of the theatrical business!” “Well, of all things, Marion!” broke in Miss Ellis. “This fellow .says he’ll be in a box this evening, and if you will accept his invitation to a supper at Denham’s after the performance, please wear the inclosed dia- mond ring on your middle finger. Now, how many suppers does he think you can eat after one performance, and where, oh, where, is the diamond ring? There is none in the note! The fellow must be dreaming !” “Here it is!” cried Miss Allyn, snatching up the bouquet. “The stems of the xoses are drawn through it, and it’s a beauty, Marion! What shall you do with it, dear? Give it to Mr. Temple, I suppose, as you did those bracelets !” “Yes, he receives all the offerings of that sort,” said Marion, laughing; “and he has quite a collection on hand, I C@mn CGIIOOK 7 believe. Y S.(COLN ( Me,