Marion Marlowe in Washington, or, Meeting the President — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. In an instant a dark frown disfigured the gentleman’s brow, but he tried to speak as calmly as ever. “He not only used my name, Miss: Mar- lowe, but he used it for a dishonorable pur- pose,” he said, slowly. “Such an act as that deserves but one punishment, but you must forgive me for not mentioning it to you at this minute.” Marion could restrain herself no longer, and the music was so loud now that she had to lean nearer to his side in order that he might hear her. “You are going to fight him,” she said, in a sharp whisper, “‘and, oh, Colonel Appleby, ] think that is horrible!” The colonel drew away, with a look of sur- prise; but Marion went on. She was deter- mined that he should hear her. “Yes, it is horrible for gentlemen to fight,” she repeated. “There are so many other ways of settling a quarrel. Of course, [ am a Northern girl, and perhaps our temper is not as hot as yours, but I am sure that an injury would cut me just as deep; but if I were a man | should never, never resort to fighting !” The colonel was more composed now, and his eyes twinkled a little as she spoke, but the serious smile upon his lips encouraged Marion. “For Miss MacGregor’s sake and mine, I want you to abandon this—-this duel, Colonel Appleby,” she went on, more softly. “It isa dreadful thing to happen in civilization; and just think what the result would be if it should get in the newspapers!” The music had ceased, and thé ball was over. As Marion waited for a reply, the eves of many in the ball-room were turned in her direction. At last they had learned who the beautiful girl was, and as they stared at the blushing face which was turned so eagerly toward Colonel Appleby they saw Colonel Bob Hinckley approach and speak to her. He had come as her escort to take her home. Marion caught her breath with a gasp, and looked from one to the other. Then she raised her head proudly and gave Colonel Bob Hinckley a look of scorn. A moment later she moved from his pres- ence on Colonel Appleby’s arm, while the poets Congressman stared after her, speech- ess, CHAPTER XIV. THE MORNINGS NEWS. “Well, you found out which of them was which, didn’t you, Marion,” was Bert’s greet- 23 ing in the morning. “But what the deuce was Hinckley’s motive? I give you my word, he’s got me guessing!” “Colonel Hinckley is an army officer, al- though he is not very well liked. I can’t un- derstand how he could stoop to such treach- ery,’ said Mr. Temple. “T think I can guess his reason for flirting with Marion,” said Dr. Brookes, soberly. ‘He was trying to make Miss MacGregor jealous. Did you ever hear of anything so contemptible 7” Marion bit her lips. She could not quite forget the insult, yet that was Bob Hinckley’s only motive, she was pertectly certain of it. She had been very careful to tell no tales. For Miss MacGregor’s sake, as well as her own, she would say nothing of the antici- pated duel, but she was in a state of continual anxiety for fear the papers would print it. “There’s an ‘extra!’’’ cried Bert, as he heard a newsboy calling under the window. “Now, I wonder if that villain has taken an- other shot at the President. I’m going down- stairs to get a paper.” He bounded out of the room, and Marion could feel her face flushing. Could it be pos- sible that the duel had taken place after all? It seemed an eternity before Bert reappeared with the paper. “Colonel Horace Appleby to -see you, miss,’’ said a bellboy, as he paused at the open door and stared straight at Marion. Marion rose from her chair just as Bert came in, his face fairly crimson with delight, ‘and waving the paper hilariously. “Whoop! Hurrah! Just listen to this, Marion!” he cried. ‘‘They have all the de- tails of the snubbing, with variations, and you are mentioned in the extra as being the ‘belle of the ball,’ as well as the beautiful girl who saved the President !’’ “Is that all?” asked Marion, with an eager look. : “TIsn’t that enough, dearie? *Why, what in the world do you want? Just fancy their getting out an extra to say that!” cried Miss Allyn. “Oh, there’s a lot more stuff with scare heads on it,” laughed Bert, as he tossed Miss Allyn the paper. “Two galoots fought a duel over in the Arlington Cemetery at daybreak this morning. I looked for their names, but the paper don’t seem to know them.” Marion tried to speak, but her lips would not move. The worst had come, and she could hardly bear to hear it. “Was any one killed?” asked Miss Ellis indifferently. A sharp cry from Miss Allyn made them all look up. COmiclooolkxs (CO)