Marion Marlowe's Peril, or, A Mystery Unveiled — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

* - ‘* | 18 MY QUEEN. sister, “for oh, Dollie! I am sure it is going to be a startling story!” “You can’t surprise me, Marion,” was Dollie’s proud answer. “I am always ex- pecting great things of you, sister. Why, haven't you proven over and over that you are simply wonderful!” “I hope T'll have a sweetheart some day who thinks as much of me as you do, Dollie,” was Marion's laughing answer. “Why, what a pig you are! Haven’t you three already?” cried Dollie, gayly. “Mr. Ray loves you—Dr. Brookes loves you—and just think of Bert Jackson—he simply adores you !” Both girls laughed merrily at this mention of Bert. He was a country boy, a Poor Farm wait, who had run away to the city with Marion’s help after being cruelly treated by the Poor Farm keeper. (See No. 1 “My Queén.’’) The three had been good friends at home ir the country, and this friendship had been kept up after they reached the city. Now Bert’s wheel of fortune had made a lucky turn. He had been adopted by a rich man and was now traveling in Europe, but every little while a letter came which was full of ardent expressions of love for Marion. “Poor Bert,’ sighed Marion, as she ran lightly down the steps. “He is such a boy, and yet I believe his affection is genuine.” She looked at a clock as she hurried along. It was only half-past nine, too early by far to interview the artist. “T’ll just take the elevated and go and see Dr. Brookes,” she thought, as she turned in that direction, and just at that instant a gay voice hailed her. “Good-morning, Miss Marlowe! You are out early, and so am I!” Marion looked up quickly and saw Alice Everett, dressed in a dashing driving cos- time and perched on the high seat of a “T” cart. She was holding the ribbons over her spirited pony’s back like a veteran horse- woman, and soon reined up to the curb with a flourish. “Who says I am not a good sister?” she continued, with a slight blush. “Why, I got up at eight o’clock in order to drive Howard up here to keep an appointment at the Mys- tic. Get in, do, Miss Marlowe. I’ll take you wherever you want to go! I’m out now, so it doesn’t make any difference, and then I’m no slave to time, anyway!” She rattled on as Marion was climbing into the seat by her side, -but as they almost flew downtown she became suddenly very. serious. “Do you know,” she began slowly, as she pulled the pony up a bit. “I’ve been think- ing about what you said last night. I sup- pose it is a selfish existence that I am lead- ing.” “But you got up early to drive your brother,” said Marion, quickly. ‘Oh, I guess _ you are not altogether selfish, Miss Everett !” “Well, I’m pretty bad,” said the young girl, honestly. “You see, mother and father died when I was nothing but a kid and, well, I don’t know much of anything, except what Howard has taught me, and brothers are apt to be too easy, I guess; anyway, mine is, and the result is he has come to regret it.” “Oh, but you must not let him regret it! You must turn over a new leaf!’ said Marion, sweetly. “Your brother loves you dearly, and he would be so proud of you if you were just a little more ambitious.” The brave girl spoke out candidly, for she was deeply in earnest. She had taken a genuine liking to the frivolous young girl, in | spite of the fact that she disapproved of her frivolities. A look of sadness crept over Alice Everett's face, and she struck her pony sharply with the whip before she answered: “T am ambitious,” she said, with a frown, “but it is to be a rich man’s wife—not to be the slave of others.” Marion looked at her earnestly ; she did not quite understand. “See here!” said the girl, suddenly. “TI like vou, Miss Marlowe! You are not the preachy kind, even if you are so perfect! The fact is, I’m in love and I’m going to be mar- ried! Howard shall not stop me—not even if he is my brother!” There was a shrill ring of defiance in her angry words, and for just a moment Marion was at a loss how to answer, - “But if you tell him you are sincerely in love, and the man is worthy “ “ Eomichbooks, com