Marion Marlowe on the Prairie, or, A Thrilling Ride Across Kansas — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

14 “Now, what in the world are they yelling for?” asked Bert, after the curtain fell. “We've sung ‘The Old Oaken Bucket’ and ‘Home, Sweet Home.’ Isn’t that enough to expect of such artists as we are? Why, Ill demand a raise of salary if we have to re- spond to another encore!” “T guess you'll have to go back once more, Jackson,” said the stage manager, as he lis- tened to the applause. “Go out and sing the ‘Star Spangled Banner;’ that will take down the house! Hold on a minute until I ask Ajax 1f he knows it.” “Ts that his name?” asked Bert, laughing. “Tve called him Buffalo Bill and Kit Carson and Rocky Mountain Pete, and he answers to one just as well as to the other.” “Tt’s the only thing I can think of when I look at him,” was the answer; and then the cheering erew so loud that the stage manager became desperate. “Something has to be done!” he said, as he turned to look for Ajax. “T’ll sing ‘The Star Spangled Banner,’ if you wish,” said a sweet voice at his side, and Marion swept on the stage in her favorite snow-white costume, with her hair bound down by white bands in the beautiful Grecian fashion. Mr. Deering gave her a grateful look and then ordered the stage cleared. The next minute the curtain was rung up and Marion stood alone in the center of the stage, look- ing almost like a statue carved trom Carrara marble. The audience was silent in an instant, but they were just a ‘little disappointed, They hated to have the play proceed until they had heard some more singing. There was a sign to the orchestra leader, and the musicians all raised their instruments, ‘The next moment Marion's magnificent voice rviyly flooded the house with melody, [t MY QUEEN. “~ was a complete surprise, and the whole audi- ence sat spellbound. | As she sang, the entire company grouped themselves in the wings, and suddenly Miss Ellis leaned over and whispered in Bert’s ear: “Quick! Look at him, Bert! The cowboy, I mean! Did you ever see such an expres- sion of admiration? I believe that fellow is in love with Marion!” ‘“T’m sure of it,” was Bert’s answer, as he elanced sharply at the man. “I’ve seen him watching her a dozen times, and I know he ; carries one of those big poster pictures of Her in his pocket. He looks good-natured, all right, but see how his eyes are shining! I give you my word, I wouldn’t want him for a rival.” “Dear me, I hope it won’t come to that!” whispered Alma Allyn, who was. standing near them. “Still, he is safer now than he was when he joined the company. He’s dis- carded his belt, but his hip-pocket still bulges suspiciously.” “I'll have to investigate that hip-pocket,” said Bert, under his breath. “It was bad enough to have a man around who was deco- rated with empty pistols, but concealed weap- ons are quite another thing. A fellow can’t be. sure whether they are loaded or not, and [ am not in the mood for taking any chances.” Marion’s last note was just dying out and the curtain was falling. “What is puzzling me now,” muttered Bert, to himself, “is, why did Ajax choose this time to yearn to become an actor? I can’t help thinking that Thespian honors were not his only motive.” “We all think that he is in love with Marion,” said Miss Elis, slyly, as a perfect roar of applause fairly shook the place where they were standing. Dr. Brookes looked across the stage toward the opposite wings, where. Gb cowboy was