Marion Marlowe in Salt Lake City — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

MY harmed or we would have found her at once. I am sure she is safe—and somewhere in the buildings.” “But it isn’t like Marion to hide that way!” cried Bert. “She knew I saw her in all that mess, and, of course, she must know that I’m two-thirds crazy.” His groan was echoed by nearly every one present, and once more there was a rush toward the scene of the explosion. “Six carriages have passed out, sir,” said the sentry, at that moment, as he saluted _ the colonel. “The first passed within five _. minutes of the explosion. It was driven by Hank Perkins and contained two ladies.” “That is extraordinary!” muttered the — colonel, as the sentry retired. “Now, what q two ladies could have leit as quickly as that, and with no escort. I cannot understand it!” He called the sentry back, but the man could tell him nothing. He had allowed the _ carriage to pass, hardly knowing what he _ did, and it did not occur to him to notice the occupants. “Je took it for granted that they were guests who had been scared by the ex- _ plosion. . — “Tt’s no use, colonel! Marion has van- _“We’ve hunted everywhere, and there isn’t a trace of her.” The colonel repeated the sentry’s news that and Bert breathed a sigh of relief, for it seemed to explain the situation. “Then we may as well say good-night,” he said, more cheerfully, “unless there is some- _ thing we can do to help you, colonel.” The gentleman thanked him, but there was no need for the guests to wait. The soldiers had proven themselves quite capable of _ handling the conflagration. Mr. Temple’s party was the last to leave, for they still had a lingering hope that they would hear something*of Marion. her actions were inexplicable. It was not like Marion to keep them in suspense as to her welfare. __ Who had helped her to escape, and where had they taken her? These were questions _ that neither of her friends could answer. _ “For once IT seem unable to even think,” f ished!” cried Bert, coming up at that minute. six carriages had already left the grounds, : QUEEN. $ They were confident that she was safe, yet - 19 said Miss Allyn, mournfully. “Of course she has escaped or they would have found her! Oh, I was so afraid that she was in- jured and that she was alone! If we only knew she was unharmed, | would feel so iuch better!” Mr. Temple had completely forgotten his jealousy now, and both he and Dr. Brookes did their best to soothe her. “She must have escaped! There is no other explanation,” said Mr.~Temple. “The secretary saw her, and so did Bert. If she had been hurt by the explosion, she could not have gotten away, and, of course, whoever found her would have reported to the colonel.” “Unless it happened to be that ugly brute of a sergeant,” spoke up Miss Ellis, savagely. “Oh, I hope to goodness he did not see her!” “I didn’t think of that! Oh, poor Marion! Poor Marion!” groaned Miss Allyn. “Still that is only a supposition! We must not think of it!’ “And an absurd one!” broke in Dr. Brookes, who was pale with suppressed emo- tion; “for, if the sergeant is guilty of firing the buildings, he would not have tarried that long on the premises.” “What a comforting thought!” cried Miss Ellis. “Why, as like as not, we shall find her at the hotel, and here we are actually crying over her!” Her words brought a ray of hope to every one in the carriage, and, in a moment, the doctor was able to speak calmly. “How bravely the soldiers worked. Their drill was perfeét! I am quite sure that I never saw anything like it!” “Bert said that Marion was watching them,” said Alma again; “she had gone out on the parade ground to cool off a little. It is strange how such things happen to our poor, dear Marion!’’ “When the explosion came, it filled the Whole ball-room with smoke and flame,”’ went on Miss Ellis. “I was watching Bert as he opened the door. The next minute J had a shock that nearly killed me! J thought Bert had gone up in spontaneous come: tion.” “Well, the dear boy did get his face badly scorched, and the sentry GOMICIDOOKSIEO