Marion Marlowe in Salt Lake City — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

“T don’t much blame them! It’s awful!” _ eried Marion, sharply. “Oh, Bert, do you _ suppose that the sergeant did it?” “li he did, I pity him,” said Bert, taking her arm; “but you’d better come _ inside, _ Marion, before any of those fellows take a _ shot at us! Blést if I don’t think they are just hankering to shoot something!” A sentry was passing as he spoke, and _ they both turned to look at him. At that instant the door of the drill-room was shut and locked in their faces. “Gee! That’s good! They didn’t know we were out here and they’re afraid of sparks,” said Bert. “Well, it would make things lively if they got a blaze in that bunt- ing. Wait here a minute, Marion, while I _ go around and open it! It’s a deuce of a long ways around all of those buildings; and, besides, with all those galoots looking for game, I don’t want you to take any chances.” _ “They wouldn’t shoot me if. I obeyed or- _ ders,” began Marion, anxiously. “Thunderation! I sdon’t suppose they actual count, on the way around!” le “All right! smiling. “But be sure and “halt’ every time they tell you. Don’t worry about me, I can watch the soldiers. There’s enough fire to make it exciting.” _ Bert darted away, leaving Marion standing fear the steps, and’ just then a form ap- _ proached her from the opposite direction. “Oh, Dr. Brookes!” she exclaimed, as the _ form came nearer, “I came out for some air and they have locked me out; but, dear me, Reginald, what is the matter?” ; As he came close to her side, the young _ of excitement. “T was afraid something had happened to you, Marion,” was the young man’s prompt answer. “| missed you in the hall when the fire alarm sounded. Thank Heaven, you are safe, my darling!” + “Oh, Dr. Brookes!” gasped the young girl, as she caught the softly-whispered words. “You must not call me that! Really you musn’t!” q the sa » MY QUEEN, _ would, but I was ‘halted’ nineteen times b¥ Go, on, Bert!” said Marion, » Marion ‘cried, sharply. - girl saw that his face was very pale and his _hame slipped, from her lips under a moment 17 “And I say that I must!” whispered the doctor, passionately. ‘Marion, darling, you must not be angry with me for that! I must speak once in awhile, or I will go raving crazy!” He rested his hand on the young girl’s shoulder as he spoke, and, even in her ex- citement, Marion noticed how it trembled. “Marion, I must speak my love,” went on the vibrating voice again. “Even though they are but wasted words, I must tell you now and then how dearly I love you. When all is calm and peaceful in your fife, I can control my heart; but, when a moment like this comes, and I think you are in danger, I should be more than human if I could curb my tongue! Do you blame me, Mar- ion?” : His voice was‘ pleading now, and his lips were close to her ear. Marion had forgotten the scene about her for the moment. “No, I don’t blame you, doctor. I blame myself,’ she began, penitently; then, as the doctor’s arm encircled her waist, the beau- tiful head rested for a moment upon his shoulder. It was a new sensation which thrilled her every fibre, and, for just a brief second, she yielded to it, passively. The young man’s heart was beating almost against her own, and hés arms drew her closer and closer, as if to hold her forever. A shout from the soldiers brought them back to their senses. The flames had started from another point, and were being blown directly toward them. “Oh, why doesn’t Bert open the door?” “We'll have to run around the buildings if we get in now, and oh, doctor, see! It is too late! Our escape is cut off! They must open the door or the flames will be upon us!” “Stand exactly where you are!” cried Dr. Brookes, firmly. —“T’'ll run through those flames; I can do it easily. I'll have that door open in less than a minute!” He had pulled off his coat as he spoke and put it over his head: the next second, he darted straight toward the flames while Mar- ion gave a cry of horrot. There was a hiss and a“#Oar as a stream of water from a hose pipe struck the build- COMMICLMOOOkKS. CO