Marion Marlowe's Skill, or, A Week as a Private Detective — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

on P allt le doesn ’t know,” she said, gayly, as she stepped into the elevator after her friend had entered. “Still, if I can do any good to anyone, of course I don’t mind. I am willing to play ‘My Lady Bountiful’ to the limit of my abil- - j “Oh, but don’t let them impose on you!” said Miss Merton, smiling. ‘There are so ‘many beggars in the world who are utterly wi nworthy. But won’t you come in a minute, dear?” she added as they reached the second f oor. 4 Marion accepted the invitation with alac- rity and stepped out at once. Miss Ross was still in the car on her’way up to Madame ay eopold’s room, and Marion felt sure that if she went on up the young woman would speak to her. As soon as they got into Miss Merton’s _ room Marion confessed her feelings to that _tady. She knew her sufficiently well to know that she could trust her. | _ “Dear me, how singular it is that you should have such intuitions !’’ said her hostess, “Really, my dear, Ve eS | thought you needed it, I should certainly warn you against her; but there, I abhor such petty gossip!” with some perturbation. ’ your instincts are wonderfully accurate! “But if you know anything against her!” began Marion, quickly. The lady placed her finger on her Ld and then smiled gravely. “It is better that I should not tell. I have warned you,” =e.) ata wronging the girl, I am certainly not in juring her!” she said, ‘softly. ‘ec - . ; You would never wrong nor injure any- one, I’m sure, dear Miss Merton,” said “But I thank you for your warning, and I shall profit by it.” “IT am afraid the poor girl will never be a singer,’ said Miss Merton, after a minute. “She has been coming to Madame Leopold —— Marion, quickly. ot " ‘sharpers’ in the city. MY QUEEN. 9 for a year or more now. I fancy she has suf- fered through her ambition and sometimes I pity her.” Marion had it on her lips to tell Miss Mer- ton what Dr. Brookes had said; then she, too, became discreet and said’ nothing about it. Miss Merton began chatting about other things, and a half hour passed very swiftly and pleasantly. As usual, Miss Merton had drifted around to talking about her brother. He was her idol, and she had often mentioned his name to Marion. : “You are like Tom,”’ “He is Why, he helps every- You must meet him, for he’s my big, splendid she said now. awfully soft-hearted! body and everybody imposes on him. brother !” “Oh, I would be so glad to!” was Marion’s laughing answer. “You have spoken of him so often, I ‘just delight in hearing of such fine characters, Miss Merton.”’ “Well, Tom has about all the graces that De were in the family, reply. worshipping him, but, poor chap, he is so I often wonder if such a nature is not just the oppo- was the lady’s laughing “So perhaps I may be pardoned for good that it worries me sometimes. site of a blessing.” “A little caution and forethought are ex- cllent things to have,” said Marion, slowly. “I did not used to think so—I was just a creature of impulse. But now, as you say, I I] see that I am liable to become the prey of all the am beginning to wonder a little. But, oh, there is always that awful chance of being mistaken—of re- fusing to aid when the cause is really worthy !” “Justice before anything else—both to yourself and others,”’ ly. said Miss Merton, firm- Then all of a sudden she thought of something that made her open her eyes and stare hard at Marion. Go DOO MUUC SS Go