Marion Marlowe's Escape, or, A Dangerous Mistake on the Road — page 16: what you’re looking at

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i¢ still lower, and almost whispering a few words into the ear of his companion. Mr. Temple looked surprised. Bert’s in- formation was news indeed. For a moment he almost doubted the truth of what had just been told him. “And to think that he should have the nerve to be making love to Miss Marlowe!” Bert finished, excitedly. the truth she would loathe the fellow, and yet the rascal hopes to win her affection!” Mr. Temple recovered himself and tried to speak lightly. “That’s where the shoe pinches, eh, Jack- son! You can forgive him a good deal, but not his attentions to Miss Marlowe.” Bert drew himself up with considerable dignity, and his fine boyish features grew un- commonly manly. “T have known Marion ever since she was born,” he said, quietly. “She is as noble as they make them, and as pure as an angel.” “And this other woman that you speak of is Miss Lee?” said Mr. Temple, quickly. “We'll find a way to get rid of her when we get on a little further.” “Hold on!” said Bert, promptly. “Don’t be too fast, Mr. Manager! I didn’t, even hint that the woman was Miss Lee! I’ve got a problem to solve before you discharge your soubrette, anyway. I want to find out which she is, an octoroon or an Albino!” Mr. Temple burst out laughing as Bert turned on his heel and left him, “That kid has some other reason for tell- ing me to go slow,” he thought. “Well, I’ve done my duty. I’ve warned him of Preston! Now, I wonder if Lemadrid is really at Co- [f she is, I may as well throw up the tour! No, | [ll depend on Miss Marlowe to pilot me through to victory !” hoes! won't! CHAPTER VI. MARION DOES SOME PLANNING. “What in the world did you mean, Bert?” Marion asked the question softly, as she and her old friend were eating supper at one of the little tables. “Rsactly what I said,” answered Bert, in alow tone. “That fellow Preston 1s a scamp, and I am going to keep my eye on him. I MY QUEEN. “Why, if she knew | can't tell you all I know, Marion, but you can rest assured that I will look out for you! The assurance of the fellow to be trying-to make love to you!” . “Is he doing that?’ asked Marion, mis- chievously. “As 1f you didn’t know it!” exclaimed Bert, in fine scorn. “Why, Marion, you’ve had a dozen lovers to my actual knowledge! You ought to be able to detect the first symp- tom of the grand passion by this time, and, of course, you do, enly you are too modest to own it.” “Let me see,” said Marion, demurely; “I did have a lover once, if I remember correct- ly. It was a small, freckle-faced boy, who used to go bare-legged on my father’s farm and help me rake and do the churning and milking. Oh, I haven’t forgotten him for a | minute, Bert!" He has grown into a fine young man, but he loves me just the same, and a “Vou bet he does!” broke in Bert, with his mouth full of chicken. “He thinks more of you than all the rest of your lovers put to-. gether! Don’t you remember how I told your sister Dollie that I was going to marry you? Well, I meant it, Marion, so you might just as well be prepared! There ain't a galoot in the country that can take you away from Bert Jackson!” The young girl laughed merrily, but her mirth did not disturb Bert an atom. “Your assurance is something marvelous. I can’t help admiring it, Bert! she said, gayly. “Where on earth would I be if all the young men were like you?” ~ “Well, T don’t know just where you would be,” answered. Bert, calmly; “but I know what you would be—you'd be a bigamist, Marion. Let’s see, you’d have married Ar- chie Ray first, and Dr. Brookes next, and then there would be Howard Everett and Ed Gordon and old man Merton—and goodness knows how many others!” “Well, I’m still Marion Marlowe,” laughed the fair girl, gayly; “and, in spite of you, Bert, I expect to remain so till the end of the chapter.” Bert was about to reply, when Miss Ellis came up to them. “Oh, Miss Marlowe!” she began, excited- Eomichbooks.com