Marion Marlowe in Salt Lake City — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

a “Well, J am glad this is our last night in - Salt Lake City,” exclaimed Miss Ellis. “But - Indian! I think it was just too sweet of him to follow Marion; but then, I’ve heard a great deal about an Indian’s gratitude.” “Yes, he did a clever piece of work to fol- _ low that carriage. He says he hung on be- hind a part of the way, and then took ad- - wantage of the darkness in the-inclosure to _ sneak in behind those two rufhans when they - earried Marion into the Endowment House,” explained Mr. Temple. A moment later he turned to Marion, anx- iously: - “Shall you be able to go on to-night, or _ shall we close, the theatre and start for Den- _ ver?” he asked. : “Oh, let’s play out our engagement, by all means!” was the eager answer. “I shall be able to conquer my nervousness by to-night ; but do please, somebody, tell me what has been done with Mrs. Canton—I mean the one who acted as her husband’s accomplice?” _ There was no reply to the anxious question, and Marion’s wide eyes flew open with a look of horror. “Did the Indian kill her, too? Oh, do an- ‘swer, somebody! She was wicked, I know, but not so wicked as her husband. Really, I -am not so sure that she isn’t crazy!” __ She glanced around again at the solemn faces, but her friends all saw that she ex- pected an answer. _ Every one looked at Dr. Brookes, but he still hesitated before replying. It was the one bit of information he had tried to keep from her. Be . __ “The poor creature killed herself,” he said, finally. “She seemed to go mad at the in- stant she learned of her husband’s death. As Said at first, it is the city’s worst tragedy.” “I think we had better close the theatre, fter all, Mr. Temple,” said Marion, quietly. “Really, it would seem a mockery to give a Performance to-night. Suppose we go over te Camp Douglas and say good-by to those Brave soldiers and then take the very first train for Denver?” - “A splendid idea!’ said Dr. Brookes, promptly. “The soldiers intended coming to the theatre to-night, but, as Marion Says, it ‘would be a mockery to open a place of amuse- ‘ment while every person in town is quivering With horror.” “Then I will close the box office at once and post my notices,” said Mr. Temple, ‘quickly. “Tt will not be a great loss, for the _ advance sales are not heavy, and I doubt very much whether we could fill the house this - evening.” . / MY QUEEN. -- oh, how I would like to go and thank that | 25 He left the room as he spoke, and Marion and the doctor glanced at each other. “Poor Temple! He regrets sincerely hav- ing introduced you to Canton,” he said, soft- ly; “and, as for Jackets, the boy is heart- broken. I really think that this experience will break him of fibbing.” There was a moment’s silence, and then the others left the room, and Marion and the doctor were alone together. ““T shall never, never forget that explo- sion,’ murmured. the fair girl, softly. “It came so suddenly and at such a moment! Oh, why is it that I have such frightful ex- periences ?” Dr. Brookes took her hand and raised it to his lips. “And [ shall never forget those few brief moments just before the explosion, Marion,” he said, softly. “I was nearer Heaven then than I ever was before. Do you know what made me so happy, dear one! It was because I thought for a minute that you loved me, Marion.” The young girl’s‘head drooped, and her cheeks grew crimson. “How you must have worried about me,” she managed to say, finally. Dr. Brookes bit his lips, which were white in an instant, as the thought of his agony thrilled once more through every fibre of his being. “It was awful,” he, whispered, as he pressed her fingers again. “But, thank God. dearest, you are safe!’ There was a footstep at the door, Bert’s voice called out lustily; so there » only time for another brief caress upon | taper fingers. “All ready for the drive! Come on, Mar- ion!” shouted Bert,-and ten minutes later the party had started. , The soldiers at the fort gave three rous- ing cheers when they saw Marion, and the whole company was permitted to thank the Indian personally. When.they finally left Salt Lake City, Dr. Brookes and Marion stood together on the rear platform of the observation car and their eyes turned instinctively toward the big dome of the tabernacle. “A beautiful state and a beautiful] city,” said the young girl, softly. “Oh, how sad to think that they have been’ cursed by such a faith! Will we ever be able to entirely eradicate polygamy from Utah!” Dr. Brookes turned his gaze upon her sweet young face as he answered: “If all the world could see what we have seen in our short stay in this city, I think our lawmakers would be able to have their Way. Why, the three wives of Artemac Canton COMMM,ELOOKS. Com