Marion Marlowe's Christmas Eve, or, The Treachery of a Factory Inspector — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

—— UTS "Y 4 ~ MY QUEEN. back to her first weeks in New York, when she and Dollie, her twin sister, lived together in one room, and sat down to many suppers of bread and milk, with only their love and hope to sweeten the repast. She told the girls about it, and they lis- tened to every word. There was a bond of sympathy between them when they learned that she, too, had suffered. “Now I am living with a very rich woman as her guest,” she added, cheerily; “and while that does not mean that I have much money of my own, it does mean that, for the time, at least, | am bountifully provided for, so you girls must not object if I try to help you a little.” * “And you are an actress, Miss Marlowe?” cried Sadie, as Marion mentioned her last vocation: : “A very poor one, I assure you,” said the young girl, modestly. “You see, I am hav- ing my voice cultivated for the operatic stage, and, oh, it takes such lots of money to pay for music lessons! I had to earn my living, and the stage position came to me at a time when I could not refuse it!” “Oh, I would love to be an actress! Every one loves them!’’ cried Sadie, excitedly. “And you long to be loved, don’t you, “Well, be patient, Sadie; your true love will come! I dear?” asked Marion, smiling. shall pray that he comes quickly and takes you away from all this misery!” “Oh, no one will ever love me!” was Sa- ‘I shall die as I have Oh, it is enough to drive me mad—it is, indeed, Miss die’s bitter answer. lived—a poor, miserable creature ! Marlowe!” She burst out crying, and Marion readily ‘understood her. The poor girl was almost unnerved by the burdens she was bearing. She had put off telling the cripple of her _ bad news until after supper, and Marion could not help appreciating the girl’s consid- eration for her companion. 13 When she did tell Fannie of her employer's rascality she did so with her arm affection- ately around the cripple’s shoulders. But even her’ tenderness could not avail. The shock came upon poor Fannie with over- whelming force. Before the story had been told she,sighed heavily and fainted. Marion snatched her hat quickly and started for the door. “I am going to get some medicine,” she said to Sadte. the best you can. I'll send the medicine right “Bathe her face, dear, and do in, and then telephone for a physician.” ay Ja don’t! We have no money to pay him!” cried Sadie, tearfully. Please don't! “He will not want any pav; he is a friend of mine!’ called back Marion, as, without a moment’s hesitation, she dashed down the dingy stairway. It was nearly dark, and the street was - poorly lighted, but the first figure that greet- ed the brave girl’s gaze was that of Jim French, standing on the curb opposite the building. With a faint tremor of fear creeping up in her heart, the young girl paused and scanned the corners of the block, in the hope of seeing the lights of a drug store. As she stood irresolute the man crossed the street. He had evidently been watching for her to leave the building. | Marion summoned all her courage and started to walk down the block, knowing _ that this human monster was directly behind her. “If he touches me, I will shriek at the top of my lungs,’ she thought; and then the question came into her mind, who would come to her assistance ? This part of the citv was not noted for law or order, neither was it famed for its vigilant, conscientious policemen. She might scream in vain, for all she knew, and the COMIC SOOKS.EO