Marion Marlowe's Courage: A Brave Girl's Struggle for Life and Honor — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

“Shame on you, boys, for tormenting the poor dog,” she said, sternly. “Can’t you see that it is lame, and sick, and frightened? How would you like to be thrown into the fountain yourselves? Do let the poor thing go and don’t be so cruel.”’ “Aw, come off your perch,” said one of the biggest boys, saucily, as he made a grab for the dog, just as it clambered up over the basin. , | $ “Don’t you dare do that again,” Marion, who was now furious. cried the dog and threw it with all his might into the very centre of the fountafn. What followed was a surprise to every oc- cupant of the benches, and as for the boys, _ their eyes almost popped out of their heads in wonder. ° , | As quick as a flash Marion caught the big _ boy by the collar. Her grip was like iron, for she was in deadly earnest. | . The next second she had lifted him com- _ pletely off his feet, and with a terrific effort, ilung him head first into the water. _ hen catching up the poor little dog, all _ dripping, in her arms, shestarted for the — street, as if nothing had happened. ___ A roar of delight went up from every spec- _ tator of the scene, and as for the boys, they jeered and laughed at their companion, shouting their approval of Marion’s skill in the regular street gamin manner. _. policeman, who had overtaken Marion as she _ was leaving the park. “I was up at the other end, or I'd have’ put a stop to their capers, _ but you did just right.” He was shaking _ with laughter r — “What can I do with the dog, so they won't get it again?” asked Marion, who was Still scarlet with indignation. r The officer turned around and beckoned to a good-natured but seedily dressed man. “Here, Bill, take this dog over to the so- ciety’s rooms,” he said shortly, “‘and there’s a quarter to pay you for your trouble.”’ __._ Marion thanked them both and hurried _ away. Her heart was lighter for having done _ vena poor street dog a kindly service. ___ Just as she reached her home a gentleman rushed up to her. It was young Ralph _____-Moore, looking worried and anxious. _ “You are in awfully hard luck, aren't you, Miss Marlowe?” he said. rapidly, “and poor mollie is sick. Oh, yOu dont know how | _ pity you.” — “TI don’t know what I’ll do.” said Marion. _ Sacly. “I am on our last dollar. and the rent _ 1s due to-morrow.” Mr. Moore stood in silence for just a min- MY QUEEN. The boy grinned in her face as he caught “That was well done, miss,” said a big 19 ute, then he turned to Marion again, his face fiushing with emotion. | “Tt will be back in an hour or two, at the most, Miss Marlowe,’”’ he said, hastily. “Something has got to be done. I can’t see poor Dollie suffer.” : “Oh, what do you mean?” began Marion. Mr. Moore cut her short with an impulsive explanation. | “I mean that I must help Dollie in some way or other, for I love her, Miss Marlowe, please tell her that I love her.” CHAPTER XI. EMILE VORSE IS CAUGHT AT LAST. in less than two hours Ralph Moore came back and astonished Marion by handing her one hundred dollars, He was as pale as a corpse, but was un- _ usually calm. There was not a tremor in his voice when he urged her to accept it. “Never mind where I got it,” he said, with a slight smile, “only promise me, Miss Mar- lowe, that you will say nothing about it. You see, my aunt and uncle might think I came by it dishonestly.” > “Oh, I am sure @hey would not,” said Mar- ion, a bit startled. “I am sure they would be the last to.accuse you of dishonesty.” “Well, I don’t know,” said Mr. Moore with another strange smile: “I’ve been a bit wid, and ‘once give a dog a bad name’— you know the rest, Miss Marlowe.” “I would trust you anywhere,” said Mar- ion, firmly. “Your heart is too good, you could never do wrong, I am certain.”’ “iT did it would be with a good motive,” said the young man again, “but I must a0) now, Miss Marlowe, ahd I would so like to see poor Dollie.”’ “You shall see her,” said Marion, “for she is sitting up to-night. I think she has been better since she got your message.” She smiled at him slyly, and the young man blushed like a girl. When he entered the room, and had greeted Dollie, Marion discreetly retired for a few minutes “Dollie, dear Dollie, can you Jove me2” whispered Mr. Moore softly, as he went straight to the young girl who was bundled In wraps on the sofa. “I do love you,” murmured the girl with a rosy blush. “I think I loved you when [ first saw you, and oh, IT am so perfectly happy.”’ Mr. Moore put his kissed ker lips softly. “And you will stick to me, Dollie?” he urged, very tenderly. “You won't go back on me, even though I am a little frisky 2” arms around her and “574 Wt have you any, Athen olds (C (0)