Marion Marlowe's Christmas Eve, or, The Treachery of a Factory Inspector — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

14 man might defile her with kisses even while she shrieked for assistance, She walked a little faster after this horri- ble thought, but the steps behind her were also quickened. Marion looked here and there, trying to see some man to whom she could appeal. The atmosphere was heavy with dampness and strange odors, and as she neared the corner she diScovered the whereabouts of the male residents of the block. , They were making the interiors of the corner saloons ring with their maudlin songs and laughter. “Not much to be expected from any of them!” she muttered. “A woman might be murdered here, for all they'd care. Oh, isn’t it bad enough without their adding drunk- enness to their misery!” She was almost abreast of the swinging doors of the saloon, when she felt a heavy hand just touching her shoulder. She wheeled around instantly, her eyes flashing like fire, and confronted the brutal visage of. Jim French leering at her. “So the pretty peach is really a sneak, is “The fine lady with the angel face is just a common, ordinary she?” sneered the man. spy, snooping around to make trouble for honest factory inspectors!” Marion saw that he knew her, but her yoice rang out like a trumpet. “Touch me if you dare, you infamous bul- ly! once, or you will regret it! Take your hand from my shoulder at I'll arouse the whole block if you follow me a step farther!" What the man would have replied, Marion could not tell, for just at that second the swinging doors flew open and the young girl caught a glimpse of something that thrilled her soul with horror. ~ A great, hulking bartender had a drunken woman by the arm, and as the doors flew open he fairly hurled her through them, fol- lowing her fearful exit with a perfect volley of curses. _ MY QUEEN. The woman fell full length on the pave- ment at Marion’s feet, and as she struck her head hit a sharp stone in the curb and a . stream of blood gushed out like a fountain. “Quick! Go to the nearest drug store and telephone to Dr. Brookes! His number is 1020 Madison,” said Marion, sharply, as she turned upon the brute who had just insulted her. There was something in her manner that awed the fellow, for even in her own moment of terror she had forgotten herself for an- other. Without a word, he darted off, and Marion knelt on the curb and raised the bleeding heaal of the injured woman. : CHAPTER VIL A STREET EPISODE. In a very few seconds a crowd of wretch- ed-looking people had gathered. “Get me some water, quick!’ commanded Marion of the first person that reached her. Then she tore a strip from her white skirt and bound the woman’s wound as skillfully as possible. Sim By this time a solitary policeman appeared upon the scene and forced his way through the mob about the prostrate woman. - A whistle of surprise passed his lips as he caught sight of Marion in the glow of light which the open door of the saloon was now throwing upon her. “Ye best lave her alone, miss,” he said, “T’ll call an ambulance for the Sure, it’s no place for the promptly. drunken crater, loikes av ye, attendin’ her!” “T wish you would call the ambulance quickly, please,” said the young girl, lifting a face that was glowing with pity and indigna- tion. “But I will not leave the poor woman until T see her on her way to the hospital! Any place is good enough for a person to do good in!” EEE —— —- (E(6) JOOKS. CO AMIE