Marion Marlowe's Money, or, Brave Work in the Slums — page 12: what you’re looking at

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10 Aiter Mr. Fairfax had spoken there was silence fdr some minutes, and they walked slowly along in the direction of Fifth ave- nue. “Well, I hope to learn the truth -about the poor girl,” said the young man, earnestly. “For some reason, I have taken a genuine interest in her, and I’d like to know if it is true that old Nance stole her. I gsuess Pm soft hearted,’ he added, slyly; “anyway, I fall in love with pretty girls in a jiffy when I meet them, and somehow I am always pos- sessed of an inordinate desire to help them.” “You have a noble heart to feel that way,” “Oh, I have heard of you, too, you know, Mr. Fairfax, was Marion’s honest answer. and then I know you must be good to be a friend of Miss Allyn’s!” | The young man actually blushed, but Mar- ion was too much in earnest to notice it. She was interested in him for two excellent reasons—one because he was the friend of her dearest chum, the other was because she had just obtained a glimpse of his really noble nature. «In the excitement of what had passed she ‘gave no thought to the “new vocation” that he spoke of, but all of a sudden she became curious to know how it happened that he was in that house, if Mother Nance was such a notorious character. “But, Mr. Fairfax,” she said, earnestly, Is this terrible woman’s home a place for you to “are you not running great risks? enter ?”’ “The end justifies the means, does it not, Miss the “How else could I have helped poor Mag to Marlowe?” was evasive answer. gain her freedom?” Mat is so,” said the girl, softly, “and it only proves your sincerity. You must be clever, to know how to manage such people.” A sudden burst of Jaughter followed her remark. MY QUEEN. “Do you wish to know my excuse for en- tering that place?’ he asked, gayly, “for, of course, you must know that no one would go there, except on business.”’ Marion looked at him eagerly. She was very anxious to know. “I was trying to dispose of some stolen “T have been there before on a similar errand.” jewelry,” he said, candidly. “Mercy!” cried Marion. “You don’t mean that, Mr. Fairfax! Were you honestly and truly trying to dispose of them?” “Well, I would not have sold them until I gained my point,” he said, laughing. “The jewels were a bluff—I had to have an excuse of some kind.” He was proceeding to explain, when his companion suddenly caught his arm. “Quick! Look at that man! The big, burly one just ahead of us!” she whispered, . softly. “That is the thief who tried to rob that wicked old woman! Do you know, I’m almost sorry that he didn’t do it!” “Gee whiz! That is Bob Bennett, one of the worst on the list!” was her companion’s quick answer. “Do excuse me, Miss Mar- lowe, but I’m very anxious to get a good look at him.” He turned and gazed at Marion eagerly. “Go, then,”’ she urged, without the slight- est hesitation. fax; I can reach home all right; but do please let me know if you find out anything about Maggie. I am stopping at the Rosedale on Twentieth street.” The young man raised his hat and darted away. [n less than a minute Marion lost sight of them both, but Mr. Fairfax had no idea of losing sight of the thief; on the contrary, he was following him as faithfully as a shadow. “Don’t mind me, Mr. Fair- —_ s Eomichbooks.com eee °~ Cite NO