Marion Marlowe in Washington, or, Meeting the President — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

14 crowd. In the intense excitement the fellow had slipped away, and the police were baffled at every turn by the thousands who thronged the thoroughfare, How Bert got Marion back to the hotel he hardly knew, but the crowds surrounded the famous hostelry for nearly an hour, and cheer after cheer was given before they could be dispersed by the busy ““blue coats’’ of the city. | “Well, if this doesn’t beat all! Oh, I’m so glad I came!” was Bert’s first exclama- tion, when he led his charges safely into their apartments. “Just look at me! Im a wreck! There isn’t a whole garment left on me! Blest if my collar button isn’t away around in the back, and, as for a necktie, I doubt if I ever had one! Now, if some of those galoots had wished to show their ap- preciation of Marion’s courage, why in thunder didn’t they charter a balloon and bring us back to the hotel? We could have landed on the roof and come down the sky- light; as it is, we are all battered to pieces from the excess of their enthusiasm.” “T haven’t begun to get my breath,” said Alma Allyn, panting. “I never had such a tussle before in my life! There’s one thing sure, we won’t any of us be likely to forget Washington in a hurry!” “But just think how perfectly awful it would have been if he had shot the Presi- dent!” cried Miss Ellis, with a shudder. “Qh, I shall never forget how vicious he looked, and to think that our Marion should be the one to thwart him!” Marion’s cheeks were still pale with the awful remembrance, and she dropped into an easy chair, for she was worn out with the excitement. “Tt is too bad he got away, still you could hardly blame the ‘cops,’ ” said Bert, soberly. “T don’t. believe he'll try it again, though, and, as soon as the crowds disperse, they may be able to track him.” “T heard some one say that he was a well- known character,” said Alma Allyn, “and, if that is the case, they'll catch him sure, unless he enough to get out of Washing- ton.” “When he first jostled my arm, think much about it.” said Marion, slowly, is wise I did not MY QUEEN. , “then, all of a sudden, something prompted me to turn, and, when I caught sight of. the pistol, I seemed to understand instantly.. I knew he was skulking in the crowd trying to get a shot at the President.” | ‘And how you did go for him!” cried Bert, admiringly. “You must be as strong as a giant! I don’t see how you held him!” “That is where 1 have the advantage over most of the city ladies,’ laughed Marion. “Churning and milking-and hoeing the gar- den are bound to make muscle. It is only idleness that makes so much weakness.” “That is why golf and tennis are so health- ful,” spoke up Dr. Brookes, “but I fancy that this siege has about tired you out, Marion, and, as for Bert, he looks as'if he | had been playing footbail.” “Oh, I’m a wreck! A total but trium- phant wreck!” laughed Bert. “Just think of it, doc, I had three of them on my hands! Why, there were two or three times when I nearly got rattled, but here they are, safe and sound—what there is left of them—and I move that they rest a minute before din- ner.” “Tt will have to be more than a minute,” said Alma Allyn. ‘Why, I feel like a rub- ber ball that has completely collapsed! -If I sit down, I am afraid you'll have to raise me with a derrick.” “Nevertheless you will do well to try it,” said the doctor, smiling. “It has been a hard day for us, so what must it have been for you? Once more I congratulate our manager on his good, sound sense in dis- couraging Ida Inez and Mrs. Burnside from taking the trip. They are probably resting now in the hotel at Pueblo, while we, well, perhaps the less said about our conditions, the better.” “THere’s a message for Miss Marlowe,” said Mr. Temple, coming in. “Are you able to answer it, Marion, or shall I do it for you?” Marion smiled at him sweetly, as she took the letter. “Tt is from the President himself!” she ex- claimed, springing to her feet. “They have told him what happened. and also my name! Oh, do read it, Atma! Iam too nervous to even hold it!” (E(6) JOOKS AUUCE (E(0)