Marion Marlowe on the Prairie, or, A Thrilling Ride Across Kansas — page 14: what you’re looking at

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12 ‘Another conquest, dearie,” laughed Alma, mischievously. ‘Now, what in the world will Mr. Temple do with him between the acts? There’s no room for him behind the scenes, and the dressing-rooms won’t hold him.” . “Exactly what I suggested,” said Dr. “but Mr. Temple is de- lighted with him, and he is planning some- Brookes, coming in; thing. I believe he is yearning for a male quartette, and the cow-puncher sings a mag- nificent basso.” Marion clapped her hands with delight at the suggestion. ‘ “Why not have a cowboy chorus in one of the scenes?” she asked, quickly. “The new play is just wild and picturesque enough to admit of it nicely! Alma and I can be Indian maidens and little Ruby and Jackets can be papooses !” “A great scheme!” laughed Mr. Temple, who was just passing the door. “That would go beautifully in New York, but it isn’t nov- elty enough out here; but come, ladies, we The lights are going out. Is every- must hurry a little. Here’s the watchman to lock up. thing ready?” “All ready,”’ was the answer, as the com- pany tramped out. The next morning early they were on their way to Topeka. Marion and Alma sat together, the train drew out, they began talking quietly of the new member of their company. “So he is the one that sent the posies,” murmured Marion, smilingly. “Tt doesn’t seem possible that he civilized enough for that, Still, wild and tame, love flowers, I believe.” “Yes. and the wilder they are the closer and, as can be all men, they cling to nature, | fancy,”” was the an- swer. “The Indians were good botanists in their own peculiar way, and I have no doubt the worst desperado in the Rocky Mountains has an intimate acquaintance with the flora of his country.” MY QUEEN. “T would like so much to see him again,” was Marion’s next remark. “It seems @ lit- tle risky to take such a perfect stranger into the company; still, I have a reason, which I cannot mention, for thinking that the ‘cow- boy’ is all right.” She smiled a little wistfully at her friend as she spoke, and Alma understood at once. There was a ring of genuine surprise in her tones as she asked the next question: “You don’t mean to say that the fortune | sharply. ‘Why, Marion, if that 1s the case, it is really teller mentioned him!” she cried, extraordinary !” “She mentioned a ‘child of nature’ who would soon cross my path,” answered Mar- ion, softly. “She said he was rough, but brave and true, and that I could lean on him with safety in the coming emergency.’ “Well, if that don't beat all ’ said Alma, wonderingly ; then her face suddenly lighted up and she burst out laughing. ; “It is a put-up job! I begin to see through it, Marion!” she said, quickly. “This fellow is the same long, lanky ‘galoot’ that held 3ert’s horses over in Kansas City, Kansas! Oh, I’m no detective, girlie, but I’m a rattling good guesser !” “< | Marion’s eyes flew open as she stared at her friend thoughtfully. “You may be right, Alma. He does look like that fellow, doesn’t he? Only the buck- skin trousers and loose shirt make him look several sizes larger.” | “T am sure it is he,” said Alma, more calmly. “He was probably stage-struck or star-struck, or something on that order, and, ne doubt, he found some way of posting the old lady, for, of course, he had been to the theatre and identified us instantly.” Alma little realized how near she had come to the truth. As a matter of fact, the for- tune teller had got some valuable points from Gomichbooks.com him.