Marion Marlowe's Escape, or, A Dangerous Mistake on the Road — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

a4 “They'll hold him tighter when Marion comes, | am thinking,” remarked Miss Allyn, dryly. “There can’t any one make me think that he isn’t guilty!” There was a groan from Miss Lee, but no one heard it. “Quick! girls! Come down! I have something to teil you!” called Mr. Temple’s voice from the foot of the stairs. At the same time there was a burst of mu- sic from the orchestra in front. It was the first real signal for the work of the evening. “It’s some news from Marion, I am sure!” cried Miss Ellis, as she started for the stairs. “Oh, if she could only get here on time, but the thing is incredible!” “She doesn’t go on until the second act,” chimed in Mrs. Burnside, as she snatched up Ruby and darted out. “Of course, itis news from Marion! What else could it be!’ shouted Miss Allyn, as she almost pushed them to one side in her 1m- patience. ‘Of course, it is Marion, the dar- ling girl! It would not surprise me a bit if she was here this minute!” CHAPTER Xf. A GREAT “FIRST NIGHT.” When Alma Allyn appeared upon the stage ten minutes later, in answer to her cue, she was too excited to ever dream of stage fright or “falling to pieces.” She spoke her lines in a voice that fairly thrilled the audience, and it was easy for them to guess the cause ot her happiness. Little Ruby followed her, and was being applauded when, to the surprise of those in front, Bert Jackson appeared suddenly before them. There was no one present who had not heard of Marion’s adventure, so his entrance was the signal for an outburst of enthusiasm. Pert began to blush through his paint and was losing his nerve completely, when Miss Allyn managed to pass close to him and whis- per, softly : “Don't flunk, for Heaven's sake! Just think of all the bragging you have done, Bert !” Bert pulled himself together and made his how gracefully. Miss Allyn’s words had saved him from going all to pieces. The next round of applause was for Dr. and. as the young man came into the of the calcium, Miss Allyn could forward Prookes, full glare | hardly restrain her desire to rush and embrace him, . | How he must have suffered during that period of suspense! It flashed over her now, when there was no chance to even think of it. MY QUEEN. Never was a first act played with such vigor and dash. Every actor on the stage seemed on the qui vive of expectation. | As the curtain rose upon the second act, the audience sat motionless and hardly breathed. They had heard that Marion was coming, and all were eager to see her. There was a perfect volume of music as the young girl appeared, as serene and smiling as though nothing had happened. For just a second no one quite knew what to do. ringing voice, and then a cheer went up that fairly shook the building. | Marion bowed like a queen as_ they cheered and applauded. It seemed like a dream to her—that hideous adventure. Two hours before she had been flung from a train, over a threatening trestle, down into deep, dark water. But here she stood with the blaze of light about her, and hundreds of eager lips shout- ing a welcome to her. The tears rose to her eyes. sible to restrain them. The next moment, at a signal from Mr. Temple, the whole company came out on the stage and formed a Sort of semi-circle around her. There was a sudden silence in the audience that spoke eloquently of their delight; then, as the music died away in ten- der strains, little Ruby came running across ~ the stage, holding out a magnificent basket of flowers toward Miss Marlowe. For a moment the young girl’s emotions overcame her. The lights faded from her eyes, and she forgot her surroundings com- pletely. \ Acting upon.an impulse which she could not control, Marion took the basket and set it down gently, then caught little Ruby in her arms and burst out crying. The curtain was rung down instantly, but the whole audience had seen it. There was not a dry eye in the house, and all were calling lustily for Marion. Manager Temple went at once to the front | and made a little speech. “Miss Marlowe is overcome by your sym- pathy, poor girl!” he said, pleasantly. “She has been through a fearful experience in the last two hours, and so has every member of this company. Miss Marlowe's own pluck and skill saved her from a miserable death. When she felt the cold waters closing over her head, she struck out boldly for the shore, and two brave men, who were passing under the bridge in a rowboat, heard her cries and rescued her. However, that is all over now, [ am happy to say, and Miss Marlowe and her supports will now demonstrate their ability to rise above and control their own EComicbooks co m : ide’ Then, some one called her name in a ~ b It was impos- —