Marion Marlowe's Cleverness, or, Exposing a Bold Fraud — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

6 MY QUEEN. again at the letter. “Mr. Everett says that he i.irodueed, coached, bullied and properly 4 met my uncle, Frederic Stanton, first, and married.” ; then by exercising a little diplomacy he man- “Tieaven save me from that fate,” cried aged to meet Aunt Susan.” Marion, laughing; “but I hardly think my “Mercy! Are they as exclusive as all relations mean to do that with me! How- that ?” broke in Miss Allyn, laughing. “Why, ever, what they do mean is at present a mys- that sounds like an interview with the Czar tery. I suppose I must go up there if I ex- of Russia!” ‘pect to solve it.” : “Oh, they are aristocrats or ‘society lead- “Marion !” , ers’ I suppose you would call them,” said Miss Allyn’s voice had suddenly abe Marion, smiling. “Of course, they are not serious. . in the very best class, but they affect what “You don’t think they have heard about they consider ‘good form,’ and'they have any your making that money, do you? Perhaps amount of money. When it comes to kind they got the story crooked and think you've | hearts and brains, why that is another mat- come into a fortune.” ter! Still, I know it isn’t right for me to “That would be a joke if they had,” said: criticise them, Alma; we all have our faults; Marion, gayly. “If they do not know the but somehow I[ can never quite forgive eee truth, il! take pleasure in keeping them You know they refused to help me in my guessing! I'll never say that it was only search for sister!” , | five thousand dollars, and that I have spent _ “Well, you found her without any of then aeely half of it already !" ¢ help,” said Miss Allyn, quickly. Well, Ud go if I were you,” said Miss She had observed the shade of sadness that ‘lyn, seriously. “For, after all, they are stole over her friend’s face, and was doing YOU" relatives. it they can help you, let Gar hast to inake f ware, them! It isn’t going to hurt them—they can consider themselves honored.” “You found her, and now she is safely | ; ; ’ ) Ms ~ rT ’ it!” ° . oe oe married,” she went on, glibly. “She is a sis- Oh, I couldn't do it!” cried Marion, quick ter to be proud of, is dear little Dollie! But ly. “1 can never forget, Alta, how they, ae sulted me once! Why, my blood has just about these people, Marion, your aunt and ; oi aa boiled every time that I have th it ! uncle? What the mischief do they want of ; ae e thought of wl. ; a If I go it will be merely because I think it your Are they going to adopt you: > : , 3 ; ae . _~ is right to do so, for, of course Mr. Everett is Well, I hardly think so!” cried Marion, ; * lage * pas aoa my. friend, and I would like to please him.” drawing her pretty shoulders up with pride. Ses b ors ; : Miss Allyn looked at her sharply out of L’m sure I can’t imagine why they wish to , Ms te K. ‘ the corners of her eyes. She was almost on see me, but Mr. Ewerett is very urgent for |. ; ‘ aie Bikes ; the point of asking a question. i Ses fae f _ “You know he rescued me from that awful ()h, | aPC 5 he 1S trying to get you in the opium den that night,” went on Marion. sad- Swim, said Miss Allyn, laughing. Just ly. “I shall never forget how much 1 owe as like as not they have heard of your beauty 4, phim.” and talents, and being childless, they have de- “Then it isn’t love,” thought Miss Allyn cided to take Vou tip, introduce you into SO- «45 perself. “She's just grateful to him—well, ciety, make a ‘rosebud’ of you, then per- 7 gon’t wonder.” haps they’ll take you abroad and marry you She was going back over the scene now, 16 a nobleman!” and her face had saddened wonderfully. The “Well, what would I be doing all of that great gray eyes were so full of sorrow that time?” cried Marion, when she could get in Miss Allyn could not restrain herself. In a | a word. “I must say, Alma, you have drawn — second she was by her friend's side, her arms an extraordinary picture.” clasped lovingly about her. “A very ordinary one, you mean, dear,” “Oh, Marion dear, don't think of the past,” aid Miss Allyn, more soberly; ‘for that is she said, coaxingly. “You have only proved atout the outline of a society girl’s life—to be — by those experiences how brave and pure you EONNIELOOO_ KS, (EC)