Marion Marlowe's Cleverness, or, Exposing a Bold Fraud — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

10 MY QUEEN. “Take your hat off, Miss Marlowe, and try to feel at home. I will endeavor to do the honors, for Gregg is an abominable servant.” “She isn’t over congenial, is she?” re- marked Marion, as she removed her hat and gloves; “but no doubt she is valuable, or my aunt would not keep her—but wasn’t that a tap on the door?” she asked as she ceased her conversation to listen. “Grege will attend to it—that’s all she’s good for,” said the young man, promptly. “There’s been dozens of people running here aiready. But Gregg takes care of them—lI re- fuse to see any one.”’ “And aunt—has she seen any of her friends?” asked Marion, quickly. She was beginning to wonder a little at Mrs. Stanton’s continued non-appearance. The young fel- low was about to reply, when the door opened slowly. There was a series of sharp yelps as a tiny poodle came almost tumbling into the room, then the fat, " pudgy form of Mrs. Frederic Stanton advanced with stately dignity across the threshold. | F _ Oh, Aunt Susan,” cried Marion, spring- ing to her feet at once. “I received a mes- sage from Mr. Everett, and I came at once. J} am so sorry for you, aunt! Oh, I wish I could comfort you!” Marion had put all resentment behind her when she entered the house. If she was to comfort her aunt she must first forgive her. Now she stepped forward impulsively and put her arm caressingly around the black rebed figure. “Dear me, child, don’t crush my dress,” were Mrs. Stanton’s first words. “I am glad vou have come, Marion, of course; but, you sce, I am too upset to talk with you now. The shock has been awful. I am sure it will kill me!” She sank into a large chair and sniffed her smelling salts vigorously, while the poodle ran about the room, barking and yelping lust- ily. Vir. Stanton sprang forward and got her a faot-stool. and Marion, not knowing exactly what to do, sat down beside her aunt “Tave vou heard it all, Marion?” asked her aunt, becoming tearful. “‘Have you heard all the details of the horrible thing—how he was murdered in cold blood while he was sleeping peacefully? And to think, we had been out and had had such a glorious evening!” Mr. Stanton adjusted the foot-stool and then moved softly behind her chair. As he leaned over the magnificent specimen of upholstery he could watch Marion’s face, and at the same time minister to Mrs. Stan- ton without crushing her sable garments. “Mrs. Gregg told me something,” began Marion, awkwardly—she was astounded to hear her aunt talking so calmly about the hor- ror. “Lord! Gregg will tell it every which way!” cried the widow, indignantly. “Why, she has already said that poor Frederic had cramps last night, when I know it was neu- ralgia or toothache! But there! what can one expect from servants, anyway? never have hired Gregg if she hadn't been E’nglish—and so capable.” T would “But what have you learned abort this matter?” broke in Marion, suddenly. was trying to control her own feelings, now that she saw her aunt’s composure. “Oh, it is all SO dreadful I have hardly had time to think it out,” began her aunt. doubt poor Frederic had an enemy of whom he did not dream, and to think the dear man was actually a leader in society! She Na Oh, Mar- ion, you should see the lovely notes f have already received! It is so gratifying, don’t _ you know; and then there have been flowers coming all the morning!” Marion’s lip curled a trifle in spite of her sympathy, and her voice was somewhat colder as she answered bluntly: “It would be far more gratifying to dis- cover the murderer, aunt. If [ were you [ could not sleep nights until I did. of an assassin coming right into your apart- ment To think As she spoke she raised her eyes, and her He was not only gazing at her curiously, but with open glance met Arthur Stanton’s. admiration. As their eyes met they stared silently at each other for a minute, but neither could quite fathom the thoughts of the other. “If there had been any motive,” widow again; “but poor Frederic was a very cautious man indeed. There was no meney (ECO AMIE 0)(0 V0) began the Ss) (E(0) m