Marion Marlowe's Money, or, Brave Work in the Slums — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

14 3 MY QUEEN. the girl, hysterically. “There was five dol- lars in it—all I had in the world! Oh, I'll be put out in the street if I can’t. find my money !”’ “You sit down and keep quiet or else get off’n the car,” ally. “Can’t you see avhat a disturbance you are kicking up! We ain’t responsible for your loss. This is a public conveyance.” “You don’t look like a woman that néeds to be told that,” said a coarse-looking man as the girl sat down. “You look as if you could take care of yourself; ten to one you didn’t have a cerft and it’s a game you're a _playin’.” The girl’s hollow eyes flashed as she looked ' ‘ at him scornfully; “Tt is as true as eospel,” fiercely, “but, of course, I don’t expect any- one to believeat, it wouldn’t seem natural to be believed! must stand it—there’s no justice for poor If a poor girl is robbed she people!” “Oh, I am sure we all believe you, miss,” spoke up Marion, quickly, “and I for one am very sorry for you! We are all at the mercy of thieves in this city, but I am sure that the most of us are willing to help each other.” She drew a five-dollar bill from her purse as she spoke and slipped it into the girl’s hand in the most sympathetic manner. “T am sure you need it, and I don’t,” she said, sweetly. ‘‘Do please accept it from me as you would from your own sister.” Every person in the car was staring at them now, but before the girl could reply a terrible thing happened. There was a sudden report, then a blinding flash of light. that threw the passengers in a mass The car stopped with a jerk together and at the same time each felt a slight shock of electricity darting through their veins, COTI- for an instant all was the wildest fusion. Woren shrieked and men cursed, ordered the conductor, brut-: she cried out while they ae and trampled upon each other. 3 The rear door was open, aod it was s toward this that all struggled, the strong trampling down the weak in their mad rush for ex- trication. Marion finally dragged herself away from — the struggling mass and crept toward the for- ward end of the car, in order to avoid ee crushed or trampled upon, As she saw safety ahead of her, she thought suddenly of the poor girl, floor of the car. Without an instant of hesitation, she raised her in her arms and, as the last frenzied pas- sengers bolted for the door, she laid the girl on the seat of the now perfectly quiet car and proceeded calmly to restore her to con- sciousness.” | ~ CHAPTER VII. a A LESSON IN TRICKERY. Five minutes later Marion was able to turn her charge over to a big policeman, after having the pleasure of seeing her revive and ~ being comparatively sure that she was not seriously injured. . As the girl opened her eyes and saw Marion, alone of all the passengers, bending over her solicitously, a deep flush of shame crept over her features. | “You—you saved me,” she whispered, with an agony of remorse in her voice. “And to think I just swindled you out of five dol- lars of your money!” “What!” exclaimed Marion, aghast. “Is it possible that you were lying! Oh, my poor, poor girl! TI can hardly believe it!” ? “T tell you it is true!” cried the girl al- “T didn’t have a cent after I paid my fare. That was a put-up job to get assistance if possible—and now to think, my most fiercely ; . ‘ ? victim has saved me! She glanced back quickly, and saw her lying helpless upon the Gomicbooks: co oo “et le at ell tga aie