Marion Marlowe in St. Paul, or, The Company's Mascot in a Double Deal — page 18: what you’re looking at

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16 makin’ eyes at ’er all de evenin’: dat’s wot >) takes wid ’em, boss! It’s no wonder she trun yer one!” : Dan Hobart smiled at the newsboy’s wis- dom. Then he said good-night and saun- tered off in another direction. Tupham surely had the first “inning,” but his turn would come next. Miss Watson had promised him faithfully «hat she would introduce him to the star, and she also felt confident that she could win her consent to a dinner, provided, of course, that three were included in the party, and that her story of an engagement was backed up properly. “That’s all I want,” he muttered to him- self. “Once let me get.her ata table, with a bottle of wine, and—pshaw ' the little sou- brette ean easily be gotten rid of; and— well, it will be the first step, and perhaps the deciding one in the winning of that wager.” He turned a corner abruptly, and came face to face with a woman. She was young and girlish-looking, but her face was pale and drawn with suffering. Still, Hobart recognized it, for he had seen the woman before. There was a moment of hesitation as the woman passed; then Dan Hobart stepped back and raised his hat, politely. “I beg your pardon, but you are Mrs. Evans, are you not—the lady who has the honor to be the mother of ‘Jackets,’ the newsboy ?”’ , The question was asked mildly, brt the woman answered in actual fright: “T am Jack’s mother—yes. Why do you ask ?’”’ she questioned, sharply “Because he is a very bright boy, and be- cause | am interested in him,’ was the man’s “Besides, he has often and [I am_ naturally answer. name, smooth spoken pleased to see you!” [le smiled as-he spoke, but the woman only your stared at him. “My name!” she repeated, in a startled whisper. “Ves your name—Lottie Evans——' he began, when a ery of alarm interrupted him. He never told you!” she breath. “ ‘Jackets’ “Tr jc false! whispered, under her - MY QUEEN. hever mentioned my name to you, for he “ does not know it!” j The words fell like drops of molten lead from her lips. They were scorching with the fire of shame and anguish. “Ah! Then it was Tupham who told me,’’ went on the cruel voice. “It must have been Tupham! He tells me all his secrets !”” The woman’s face was ghastly now, and her eyes were shining. She pressed her hands over her Heart, as she moved a little nearer to him. | “Has he told you everything—are you sure’” she whispered, hoarsely. “Has he told you that he was a traitor, a scoundrel, a villain? Has he ee She put her hands to her brow, and a stifled cry finished the sentence. “Oh, what am I saying?” she whispered, wildly. “He°would kill me if he knew! I must be mad to dare to even whisper his perfidy !” She turned to flee from Hobart’s presence, but a firm hand detained her. : Ps “Don’t be alarmed, madam,” said the fel= low’s voice in her ear. “Just calm yourself and listen. I, too, hate Archibald Tupham for a good many reasons. Further, | know every secret of his life—yes, every detail of it, madam—and I can rtiin him, do you hear; and I will ruin him, if you will help me!” There was a death-like silence, while the woman fairly trembled in his grasp; then she raised her eyes and stared at him, search- ingly. “Do me one little favor, madam, and your revenge will be complete! I will expose Archibald Tupham and bring him to justice, You will not appear in the affair at all. Will you do me that favor?” he asked again. There was another silence, while the woman ‘tried to collect her thoughts. Then she answered his question in a tremulous whisper: “T would do anything—anything—to pun- ish Archibatd *Tupham. But, oh, sir, no harm must cOme to my boy! I do not care for myself—but my baby must be pro- tected !” “He shall be! Now will you promise?” asked Hobart, drawing her still farther into the shadow, | Gomichbooks:com