Marion Marlowe's Christmas Eve, or, The Treachery of a Factory Inspector — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

16 A pair of strong arms encircled her for just a moment in the dark hallway, then Dr. Brookes spoke in his usual cheery manner. “Who are you talking about, Marion? And why do you tremble so? Are you hurt, little girl? Quick, tell me what is the matter.” Marion did not answer, but led him toward the attic room. The next moment he, too, was bending over Fannie. As he felt her pulse the young physician went on talking to Marion, whose face was now glowing with happy satisfaction. “I just met my friend, Dr. Cole, on a Chambers Street Hospital ambulance, and he told me to come down here and rescue a young girl who was in a pack of wolves try- ing to do a deed of mercy. I guessed that it might be you, and here I am. But it took three men, two boys and an officer to direct me to this address.” Marion’s heart sank heavily. She had hoped that Jim French had telephoned him, but it was evident that he had paid no atten- tion to her wishes. As soon as Fannie was more comfortable the doctor took Marion home. His carriage had been left nearby, as was his custom. As Marion sank back upon the carriage The reaction of her day’s work had at last over- cushions her face grew suddenly pale. come her. “Marion, darling! I warned you not to do it!” cried the doctor, drawing her head down upon his shoulder, “Such sights as you have seen! Oh, Marion, it is not right that you should see them! Your sweet eyes should be kept should not be allowed to perform such la- from tears of sorrow. Your hands bors!” The young girl did not answer- her nerves all Only a burst of quiet tears gave expression to her misery. were unstrung. ft was long after midnight before Marion MY QUEEN. reached home, only to find Mrs. Stetson’s housekeeper greatly worried at her absence. During Marion’s stay with Mrs. Stetson all of the servants had learned to love her, and the housekeeper in particular came very near adoring her, 7 As the young girl entered her chamber and sank wearily into a chair, she gazed involun- tarily upon the luxury about her. Rich draperies and costly paintings, rare bric-a-brac and magnificent decorations greeted her eyes, but the only cmotion that they all produced was a shiver of agony. “Oh, why is it'that one should have noth- ing and another all?” she “cried, aloud. “Poor Sadie Webster! Oh, I am so glad that it is in my heart to aid God help me the day I become forgetful of their misery !” How I do pity her! those poor creatures ! There was a large bouquet of roses lying on the table, and as Marion finally rose to retire she went over and looked at them. , “From the doctor,” she murmured, as she read the dainty card. “He has sent them to remind me that on the whole life is beautiful, and that it is one’s own sacrifices that sweeten every pain of living! I shall take the roses down to that poor cripple to-morrow—all but this one,” she added, as she selected a bud. “This one I will kiss for love’s sake, and put it on my pillow, for, oh, it is sweet to know When, oh, when will I know the ecstasy of loving?” . that | am beloved! CHAPTER VIII. MORE TREACHERY. The day before Christmas was warmer than usual. ‘The streets were bare of snow, and it looked as if the city was to have an- other “green Christmas.” Marion returned to the scene of her labors early in the morning, She was more anx- ious than ever to be of benefit to these people, after what she had seen in her short experi- Gomicbooks.¢co cS