Marion Marlowe's Cleverness, or, Exposing a Bold Fraud — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

MY QUEEN. . 9 “What is this nephew’s name?” asked Mar- ion, curiously. The door opened just as she spoke, and a young man entered. He stopped in surprise and glanced from one to the other, but his manner was courteous and evinced the most perfect composure. “Miss Marlowe, let me present Mr. Arthur Stanton,” said the woman, quietly. “In the absence of your aunt you will not mind my introducing you; for, as you are almost cousins you should know each other.” Marion Marlowe heard, but for an instant she did not heed. The words, “be on your cuard,” were sounding suddenly in her ears, and reminding her that she had nearly for- gotten Mr. Everett’s warning. CHAPTER V. A HANDSOME FOREIGNER. In her bewilderment, Marion almost stared at the handsome young man who bowed with such grace as he acknowledged the introduc- tion. The next moment she had regained her composure entirely and was prepared to greet him kindly in her usual charming manner. She knew nothing whatever concerning her uncle's family, but it flashed through her mind that she had heard that he was an Eng- lishman, and it was not surprising that he should have a nephew, or that his nephew should see fit to come and visit him. As she rose and bowed pleasantly to Ar- oy ea 2 ~ © thur Stanton, she looked searchingly into his _ face. There were traces of emotion on the < é . $. YY can leave us, Gregg; we shall not want you.” handsome features, and in an instant the _ young-girl held out her hand impulsively. “Oh, I am so sorry for you!” she cried, sincerely. ““You see, I did not know your un- cle very well, so I have thought only of my aunt; but I see that you are sorrowing, and _ tTamso sorry, Mr. Stanton.” Arthur Stanton looked into the beautiful face, and his own brightened wonderfully. He was just about to reply, when he thought suddenly of Mrs. Gregg’s presence. “T will entertain Miss Marlowe until aunt can see her,” he said, with -dignity. “You nae am | ‘Phe woman bowed silently and hurried - - away. Marion breathed easier when she was gone, for she had affected her strangely. “This affair is so sudden and so sad,” she began sweetly—then stopped, for there were no words apparently that could assuage this young man’s suffering. “Oh, it is horrible! horrible!” he cried, as he began pacing the floor. ‘Pray, pardon me, Miss Marlowe, but I am completely unnerved, What with the detectives and the coroner and the thousand and one things that I have had ta attend to this morning; but I am so glad you have come—poor aunt needs some one to comfort her.” He came over and stood a minute by Mar- iqn’s chair, and again the girl was struck by his remarkable beauty. She had seen many handsome men, but never a face like this. It was one of the ro- miantic type, large, liquid black eyes, a slight- ly aquiline nose, full red lips and a complex- ion that spoke more of Italy than it did of haie old England. In spite of herseif, she spoke impulsively. “T should not dream of your being English, Mr. Stanton,” she said, bluntly. “You are less like uncle than I am like Aunt Susan.” “My mother was Italian,” said he, softly. “I was born in Italy, and, oh! I love that country !’ “And is this your first visit to America?” she asked. The young man shivered slightly and turned half away from her. “My first visit and my last—I hope,” he answered, absently, then recollected himself and hurried with his explanation. so hard,” he said, with a sigh. “Tt seems “LT have only ‘seen uncle once before-in my life, and then ij was too young to appreciate a_ relative. Now, just as we were getting to be good friends I lose him—and by such a horrible death. Oh, it is awful!” “Tam sure you have passed through a hard ordeal,” said Marion, sympathetically, “and Iam so glad we have met and can become somewhat acquainted. Mrs. Gregg says that miy aunt is sleeping—I must wait until she awakes. I hope her nap will not be a long cne.”’ ' Then you must make yourself comfort- cble,” said the young man, brightening COnniclboooks (CO)