Marion Marlowe's Courage: A Brave Girl's Struggle for Life and Honor — page 22: what you’re looking at

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20 mitted Dollie, frankly. ‘Yes, I wili stand by yore Ralph, no matter what happens.” It is awful to be poor when you are in love and want to get married,’ said the young man, sadly, after they had both said over and over that they should always love each other. ‘Oh, I do so hate this waiting until one can afford to marry, but I know it is sensible, don’t you think so, dearest?” “Yes, indeed,” said Dollie, who was a very practical little woman. ““We must wait pa- tiently, Ralph, until we are both better off, and then, you know, I am very young—treal- ly I am not old enough to marry.” She blushed a fiery red as she said the words, for there was a secret in her soul that was weighing very heavily. Should she tell him that awful experience through which she had passed? She knew it would be honorable, but she could not do it, at least just then. Marion returned at that moment, so the love scene ended. In a few moments Mr. Moore was obliged to leave them. “When shall I see you again, Ralph?” asked Dollie, pouting a little. “Here you are, going away without saying a word about re- turning,” The young man was standing with his hat in his hand, and for a second he seemed a little disconcerted. Recovering himself, he said, with a tender lance: “T shall come to-morrow, if possible, Dollie. If I don’t it will be business of im- portance that detains me.” “Good-night, then,” she murmured, and her lover bent over her once more. He kissed her fondly in spite of Marion’s pres- ence. “T can never thank you enough for your kindness,” said Marion, following him to the door, “but some day I hope I shall be able “to do you as great a favor.” “You have done it already,” said Ralph Moore, earnestly. “You have sanctioned Dollie’s promise to marry me some day, and I can’t begin to tell you how I thank you.” After he had gone Marion told Dollie the good news. For another month they could live in comparative comfort. “T wonder where he got ty natural comment. Marion sighed a little as she answered ab- sently : ; “Ti. is one more debt of gratitude that I owe. When, oh, when, will [ ever be: able to repay them?” he first thing the next morning Marion secured a doctor for Dollie. His bill was ex- orbitant, but she paid it ungrudgingly. Her next move was to rent another type- was Dollie’s MY QUEEN. writing machine, for she was hopeful that by — this means Dollie might be able to.earn her living. . “Of course it is a risk,” she argued to her- self, “but it will amuse her when she is bet- ter, and she may be able to secure a position in an office when she has become proficient.” As the days passed by the hundred dollars seemed to melt away, and Marion redoubled her efforts to secure employment. | Mr. Moore came in every evening and tried to cheer them up, but the girls could see that he was often dispirited, although his manner was always courteous and .affection- ate. It was growing colder now and both girls needed new clothing, so this demand upon their capital diminished it still farther. “Tf I was only well enough to look for work, too,” Dollie would say every day, but, in spite of Marion’s.care she was still weak and ailing. , One night, when the winds were biting and the sky was laden with chilly mist, Marion- was hurrying home from another day of fruitless searching. A carriage passed her with its lanterns slowing brightly, and, as Marion gave a sharp glance into the vehicle, she saw her aunt and uncle leaning back in the cushions. “Oh, this is horrible! horrible!’ she whis- pered to herself. “They are fairly rolling in wealth, while their own nieces are starving.” Shey She turned into a side street and hurried © along. Right in the middle of a dark block two men confronted her. | girs beauty,” said a hateful voice which Marion recognized instantly. It was the man who had accosted her once before in a similar manner. oh “You're just the girl we were hoping t meet. Come on, little sweetheart, and we'll treat you royally.” There was not a person to be seen in the block, and the long rows of houses looked dark and gloomy. Marion gave a quick glance around and then uttered a shrill cry as she felt the man’s hand fall familiarly on her shoulder. “Don’t you dare to touch me, you scoun= drel!”’ she almost screamed. “Oh, why is it that such a ruffian is not in prison?” | “T’'ll tell you why, if you're dead anxious to know,” said the other man, chuckling. “Our friend here is too slippery, the police can't catch him.” “Well, if he touches me again I'll scream So I have met you again, my ¢ Ly 4 4 7 so that every officer in New York will hear — me.” said Marion, boldly, then she suddenly stopped short and stared at the fellow. “Oh, I guess you won't do so very much GOMIIGEDOOKS-Gom g F % ; ; g