Marion Marlowe's Christmas Eve, or, The Treachery of a Factory Inspector — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

2 | MY QUEEN. A rippling laugh followed the handsome young doctor’s remark, and then the young girl grew sober in a minute. “I have learned a few little things since that particular occurrence,” she began, rather sorrowfully ; “one is, that I have a dear, good friend in Mrs. Stetson, the society leader, who has taken such an extraordinary interest in me, and another is, that I am not loved so dearly by the rest of the inmates of the charmed circle.” “Because of the Duke of Lorton’s prefer- ence for your society,” broke in the doctor, “Oh, I heard all about your hav- Bert laughingly. ing refused his Grace. Our friends, Jackson and Miss Allyn, kept me gees, well posted.” “Then, there is nothing for me to tell,” said Marion, gayly; “but, in a nutshell, my aversion to society was only equaled by s0- cietyis aversion to me. We don’t seem to agree in the majority of our opinions, and so, although I still remain a guest under Mrs. Stetson’s roof, I have decided that | can em- " ploy my time better during the season than by attending balls, receptions and teas, and [ am casting about, as the saying is, for a Geld of labor in which I can be particularly useful.” As she spoke the young man was gazing at her with open admiration. It did not sur- prise him in the least to hear her express such sentiments. Marion Marlowe had come to the city a poor country girl, but, since her arrival, she had never been idle a minute—her hands and wits both had been constantly busy for the welfare of herself and others. “But, began, with a look of anxiety ; really, you need rest, Marion,” he “after so long 4 time on the stage in a very difficult role, you are certainly entitled to a few weeks’ vacation.” “ft would stagnate in that time,” said the fair girl, merrily. ‘‘No, I must work, doctor, and I must be useful to others. Now, are my good, true friend, you will point out if you where I can add my mite to the comfort of | humanity at the same time that I am enjoying the luxury of Mrs. Stetson’s beautiful man- sion.” “hae #. 7 “What! winter 2” asked the doctor, quickly. “While she is abroad, yes,” answer. Are you going to stay there all open, and I am to look after the servants.” After the death of Lord Curry, a young English nobleman, who had died at Mrs. Stetson’s house while Marion was a guest ~ there, the brilliant society leader had sprung © one of her frequent surprises on the -social set Al- though Marion had been asked to accompany by suddenly resolving to go abroad. her, she had refused, because she felt she was — : * already under sufficient obligations to Mrs. Stetson for her kindness to her in intro- - ducing her into society. / ~ So it had been arranged that Marion should stay at the house in New York while Mrs. Stetson took a few weeks’ trip to the Mediterranean. 2 Sion - 4 “Well, most girls would find plenty to en- tertain them in that beautiful home,” the doctor, mischievously; “but here you are, Marion, on the lookout for a labor of — . . a love, as ustial.? | The beautiful girl turned around | aquasey and gave him a searching glance. “What makes you look’ so worn-out, Dr. Brookes? Have you been spending two ‘or three hours with a rich and pettish atic or have you been on some wearisome errand of mercy?” flushed, and his eyes drooped as he answered, gravely: , | “T spent last night in a room on the top | floor of a tenement house in East Broad- way, trying to keep a flicker of life in the — 7 (elo) n Gomilcbooks ae was Marion's _ “You see, she wants the house kept — began | f The handsome physician's face ~ a ~ — =