Marion Marlowe's Escape, or, A Dangerous Mistake on the Road — page 24: what you’re looking at

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22 The train was behind time already ; it could not stop a minute, but it slowed up to let Bert Jackson and the doctor off, in order that they might go back and institute a search for Marion. When Percy Preston recovered conscious- ness he could only mutter incoherently that Marion had fallen; after that he seemed rav- ing on the verge of delirium. As a precau- tionary measure, Mr. Temple had him placed under arrest; still, he could think of no mo- tive which the fellow could have for wreaking such a horror on the innocent girl. At the very next stop the news was flashed to Cohoes. The Temple Theatrical Company had found a reason for not keeping its engage- ment at the Oneida. At Albany, Manager Temple received a telegram which had crossed his own message. “Worsted Lemadrid! You own _ the Oneida.” It was signed, “Howard Everett.” The announcement of this victory made Mr. Temple groan. He could think of noth- ‘ ing but the fate of poor Marion. As he was helping his weak and trembling leading-man across the station,\ Miss Lee touched his arm and whispered some words to him. Five minutes later Percy Preston was locked up. Miss Lee’s words had come as a revelation. Mrs. Burnside, Miss Ellis and little Ruby were still weeping bitterly, but Miss Lee was dry-eyed, although there was the pallor of death on her features. Miss Allyn tried to be calm, but her voice trembled perceptibly. She had been ques- tioning Preston with the shrewdness of a de- tective. “T have done all I can.” Mr. Temple made the announcement sadly, as they boarded the local train that was to take them to Cohoes. “T can’t get back to Hudson before nearly midnight, and, of course, it is useless to go, unless | hear from Jackson. We have quar- ters engaged at Cohoes, so we will go there and wait. If Miss Marlowe is dead, we will disband to-morrow.” . . P “ _ oe <m '"" . , a “She is not dead! . am sure of it!” cried MY QUEEN. Alma Allyn, frantically. “I can’t believe that Marion is dead! Mr. Preston says the train was barely crawling when she fell over, and Marion is a splendid swimmer—that is why I think she is still living.” | “Yes; it happened on the trestle,” said Mrs. Burnside, brokenly. “If she did not strike her head in falling, she may escape. Poor girl! Poor Marion! What a fearful ex- perience!” She bowed her head and wept, and little Ruby joined her. They had only known the young girl a week, but they both loved her dearly. “There is another express up in an hour or so,” said Mr. Temple, thoughtfully. “I have left word at the station to wire me any news they may hear. Can’t expect Jackson to wire; he will be too busy.” “Poor Bert! It will kill him! ~And the doctor loved her so dearly,” murmured Miss Allyn, hoarsely. After that no one spoke until the train pulled in at Cohoes. It was ten minutes to eight, but no one thought of the time. ‘There could be no performance until they heard of Marion. As Mr. Temple descended slowly to the platform he came face to face with Howard Everett. In an instant the dramatic critic drew him to one side and whispered something in his ear. “Hurrah! Marion is safe!” The manager shouted the words and Ever- ett joined him. “No use, Everett! Your scheme is a good one, but I can’t do it, old man! I'm too overjoyed with the news to think of keeping it quiet!” ‘But just think what an ‘ad.’ it would be!" urged Everett, eagerly; “still, of course, I don’t blame you a bit, old chap! You must have been suffering all the tortures of the Inferno!” Miss Allyn was first to recover from the surprise. She grasped Mr, Everett by the arm and fairly shook him, “Where is she? Where is Marion? Quick! Tell us everything, Mr. Everett!” The critic's face beamed as he answered Eomichooks. com