Marion Marlowe in Washington, or, Meeting the President — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. 21 swer. Then a low, musical laugh echoed softly through the corridor. | “Oh, but isn’t Emilie green with jealousy, though! Why, a week ago, when she thought Colonel Bob had no eyes nor ears for any one but herself, she ignored him com- pletely and flirted desperately with Colonel Appleby. It is a way our Washington girls have-—to yearn for the unattainable! She is foolish to think of Colonel Appleby! He will never marry.” “IT don’t believe she thought seriously of him. She was only teasing Bob—though of the two, Colonel Appleby is much the more desirable. honor among the ladies.” “Which only puts a feather in his cap, my dear Leonora. Our girls think no one so at- tractive as ;. Don Juan in society.” “T presume you are right, dear,’ was the indifferent answer. Then the two lauies passed on and re-entered the ball-room. “So that explains it,” murmured Marion, as she moved slowly from the shadow of a pillar, where she had stood while they were talking. - “Because I happen to have a fairer face than Miss MacGregor, he uses me for a foil! Oh, how I loathe you, Colonel Bob Hinckley, for your deceitful tactics! You have no right whatever to wear the uniform of a soldier!” - As she went back to the gay scene, her cheeks were flaming, and the groups which now thronged the corridor stared at her ad- miringly as she passed them. The music was fairly shak.iag the enor- mous building now with its rhythmical sway, and the fair girl paused close by the wide entrance to look at the dancers. The next minute she felt some one touch her arm. It was Emilie MacGregor. The Southern girl’s face was as white as death, and her eyes were wildly dilated. “Quick, come with r !” she whispered. Marion hurried after her, for the girl had gripped her sleeve. It was evident that she was laboring under great excitement. The crush was dreadful around the en- trance, but before Marion knew it they were in a cloak-room. “What is it?” she asked, as soon as she could get her breath. The answer astonished her, it was so sharp and vehement. ~ There is a quarrel over you and myself,” Miss MacGregor said, briefly. “For our own sakes, if not for theirs, we must see that it oes no farther!’ Marion grew calm in an instant, and as the crowd in the cloak-room lessened at that minute she took a decided stand and looked _ Straight at her companion. “T do not see why I should do anything,” Bob Hinckley is not noted for she said, slowly. “I know nothing of either of those gentlemen, and their affairs do not concern me. Pray calm yourself, Miss Mac- Gregor! It is not your place to go to them!” In an instant the girl turned upon her with flashing eyes. “You do not know the nature of Southern people, if you can say that!’ she said, hotly. “Colonel Bob has masqueraded under Colonel Appleby’s name, and that to an Appleby is a downright dishonor. They will fight—I am sure of it, for Bob will never apologize. That, too, is a peculiarity of the Southern tature.”” “Then let them fight,” said Marion, firmly. “It is not for me to interfere. [ am not a Southerner, so why should I sympathize with their troubles ?’ “Oh, but vou will sympathize with mine— for I love him!” cried the Southern girl, quickly. There were tears on her lashes now, and her eyes had softened wonderfully. Marion’s heart was touched. She was sorry for the girl. The next moment the two were stealing out through the crowd, but to where or for what Marion could not quite conjecture. All at once a breath of cool air touched her cheeks. Her companion had led her to an exit on one side of the building, which just at that minute seemed to be entirely deserted. “Hush! There they are!” whispered Miss MacGregor, as she darted back from the doorway. “They are outside on the steps! Listen a minute. Oh, if we can only hear what they are planning to do! I am sure it will be a fight, if not an out and out duel!” She put her hand over her heart, and both girls waited. A moment later they heard the real Colonel Appleby say, quietly: “Either that or public exposure, sir— whichever vou choose! I'll teach you that no man can trifle with my name or honor!” “Very well, then, I accept your terms!” came the answer in Bob Hinckley’s voice. There was a low moan from Miss Mac- Gregor, but Marion whispered a word of warning. : “Hush! Come to the cloak-room at once, and we will talk it over. We can do some- thing, I am sure, to save your lover.” She led her away, the music of the great band thundering in their ears. Even in the midst of all this grand scene one heart, at least, was aching. Rr hei ELS THE SCENE OF THE EVENING. Ten minutes later the two young ladies ap- peared in a conspicuous part of the ball-room, COMICHOOOKS. CO