Marion Marlowe's Disappearance, or, Almost a Crime — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

drive away, and the bride’s red lips were Barve in an expression of mischief. eS “Mr. Merton is desperately in love with her, and she likes him tremendously. Dear me, how funny it does seem! Why, I’m just "crazy with delight because one man ‘loves me; what in the world would I do if I had a dozen admirers like Marion?” Pe “T’'m sure I don’t know what you would do, sweetheart,” said her handsome young “husband, as he gave her a kiss; “but I am : mighty certain what I should do, Dollie; I'd ‘ed on war paint and feathers and commit wholesale slaughter !” - “There’s no fear, darling,” cried Dollie, es ihine “but oh, I can’t help feeling sorry oe ae all of Marion’s lovers 2 7 CHAPTER X. -MARION’S DISAPPEARANCE. — Ene: Merton and Marion had a delightful - lunch and then, at her request, her friend left her to do some shopping. .Mr. Merton’s face "was grave when they parted, for, during the | luncheon he had studied the beautiful girl, and was firmly convinced that she did not ove him.» | q Witha patient sigh he had decided to wait. _ He would say nothing yet of his deep affec- 4 tion for her. Marion made a few purchases which were to be sént to ft: home. Just as she left the “store an old woman hobbled up to her. 2: “For the love of Heaven give me a penny, ; heed t= miss!” she whispered, hoarsely. “I’m starv- ‘ _ ing to death and so are my children? Just LP a penny, miss, and the good Lord will e-\) ‘ _ ward you! ” ag _ Marion looked. down at her sharply; she was disgusted with her fawning tone. _ Then another thought flashed into her had thought of her mother. il w3 au a rm a: MY QUEEN. . ~ 19 anti her miserable garments were tattered and dirty. “There is no excuse for such poverty as yours, madam,” she tried to say, sternly. “There are people enough who would help you, ] am sure. You have no excuse for be- ing either ragged or dirty.” 3ut my children,” whined the woman. “T have ten of them, widow, whatever will [| do? miss, and me a poor I can’ work to support them.” Marion beheld her for a moment, strong1y suspecting that she was a fraud, yet fearful lest the woman might be in dire need of charity. At the thought of the children, though, her heart melted. “Heaven help the children!” was all she could say. The old creature’s eyes snapped through the lock of tangled hair that fell over them, but her voice grew even more fawning as she began an explanation. “Where are your children?” broke in Mar- ion, sternly. “If they are really suffering I should like to help them, but if I find, you are a fraud I will have you arrested.” The old creature straightened up with as- tonishing alacrity, but after one quick, sharp glance at Marion she fell back into the same bent posture. — : “It’s a long wdys, miss,” she said, in her coarse, strained voice. “Then we wilf take a carriage,” said Mar- ion, calmly. The sbeggar’s eyes flew open in earnest now and there was an expression on her face which the young girkcould not fathom. Marion replied by signaling to a cab and, putting her hand firmly on the old creature’s shoulder, said: z _ héad—a very natural one, indeed—for she - “You must take me as straight to your children as you can go—to one of them or to a #4 | The old creature was bent almost double fhe whole ten—it doesn’t matter,” she said CONMIGIOOlSHEO