Marion Marlowe's Disappearance, or, Almost a Crime — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

LO gan to arrive? Well, I have been wondering down in my heart if I really deserve them.” She looked so radiantly beautiful with her great calm eyes gazing so honestly into his face that Ed. Gordon had to choke back the words that were tormenting him. | If he could only take this magnificent girl to his heart; but no, not even on the stage was he allowed such an honor. | “You deserve to have the whole world at your feet—wealth, affection, fame,’ muttered “As if a few paltry flow- There are no emblems which express true love, Miss Marlowe.” “But there are words and deeds,” Gordon, hoarsely. ers could express a man’s affection. said Marion, quickly. “When a man loves he will find a wav to demonstrate his affection, and flowers are certainly a token of regard—per- haps the sweetest token that is within human possibility.” “Will you please wear one ‘of my orchids, Miss Marlowe?” whispered the actor, sud- . denly. “Wear it anywhere—in sight or out of sight, so that you have it about you. It can easily be hidden, even behind a bunch of your roses.” Marion glanced at the eager face and burning eyes, then, with a gentle hand, she detached one of the orchids from the cluster. “Certainly I will wear it,” she said, with one of her merry laughs. “And thank you, Mr. Gordon, for giving me a suggestion.” -Mr. Gordon looked at her as she stepped back into the room and began selecting a flower from each of the different offerings. “Why, you are spoiling your flowers,” called Miss Ellis, as she came bounding into the dressing-room. Marion was smiling as said Miss MY QUEEN. she hastily put her collection together. She had chosen five flowers besides Mr. Gordon’s orchid, and was tucking them all into her belt together. . Now that Miss Ellis had come Ed. Gordon moved away slowly. He had only waited to see that his orchid was among the number that were to grace the fair girl during the final act. “You are spoiling your flower garden,” Ellis, again; “and, dear me, Miss Marlowe, what a queer bouquet you are making.” Marion put in her last pin, and then fin- gered her flowers lightly. “A pink from Mr. Merton’s, a bit of helio- trope from Mr. Everett’s, a ‘Jack’ from Mr. Ray’s, an American Beauty from Dr. Brookes’, then there’s an orchid apiece from Mr. Gordon and Bert Jackson.” She smiled mischievously at Miss Ellis as she finished her enumeration. “You don’t mean to show any preference, to-night, at least, do you, Miss Marlowe?” asked Miss Ellis, with a smile. “But my! ain’t you afraid you'll make them all jealous?” . Marion did not answer, except with a rip- ple of laughter, but, as she started for the stage, her eyes grew sadder. “No, my dear Miss Ellis,” she whispered to herself, “you need have no fear—I shall show no preference this evening.” o— ——_—o— = CHAPTER VI. OLD FRIENDS AND TRUE, At the close of the last act Marion was again ina dilemma. A dozen notes had been sent in, and, as she glanced them over, her (EOMIE KO KS com i ii ee ee se sli ite i i, el i | |