Marion Marlowe's True Heart, or, How a Daughter Forgave — page 30: what you’re looking at

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Ze The gitls both looked at the picture and the words which were written on it, while Marion censured herself in,the most vigorous language. : “He is a common-looking fellow, almost brutal,” said Dollie, looking again at the pic- ture. “Oh, what a’pity Miss Williams hadn’t found this first! I can see by her face that Marion has suffered!” “T have, indeed,” said Marion, honestly. “It nearly killed me to think so badly of the doctor.”’ “Well, you were not altogether to blame,” said Miss Allyn, consolingly. “The circum- stances were startling. It would have con- vinced almost any one.”’ There was a peal at the bell as Miss Allyn spoke, and the next moment Dollie had ushered a caller into the little parlor. “Tt is Dr. Brookes,” whispered Marion to Miss Allyn. “I asked him to come, but do you know I almost dread to face him, now that I know how I have wronged him.” “Nonsense!”’ said Miss Allyn, sensibly. “Just put that out of your mind, Marion. You did him an injustice and have regretted it sincerely. There is no use in torturing yourself by telling him about it.” “But his picture,” said Marion, a little help- lessly. | “Tell him exactly how you got it, and he will probably explain. No doubt the girl stole it while she was working for his mother.” Marion took her advice and followed it carefully, telling him, in the presence of her friends, of Kittie’s death, but without men- tioning the poor girl’s words about the pic- ture, Dr. Brookes looked grieved to hear of the girl's death, but he smiled when he saw the photograph of himself. It was just as Miss Allyn had guessed—the little maid had stolen it, “The first instance on record of any young lady caring enough about me to want my pic- ture.” remarked the young man, with a mis- chievous glance at Miss Allyn. For once the young lady was not ready with a gay reply, and Marion, with great tact, managed to turn the conversation. After a little while both Dollie and Miss Allyn excused themselves, and Marion and Reginald Brookes were alone together. “Miss Marlowe,” said the doctor, after they had been chatting for some time, “I came here to-night on a rather serious errand, | hope T shall not frighten you by telling you about it, but honestly | can’t keep it to myself much longer.” MY QUEEN. He spoke so earnestly and so gently that : Marion’s cheeks flushed in an instant. She seemed to feel what was coming, although ~ she tried not to show it. “You are a dear, good girl, Miss Mar- lowe,” he whispered, coming closer to her on the sofa, “and I’m an impetuous chap—I can’t make love on schedule! this way,’ he went on, talking eagerly, “I fell in love with you that night on the train. Jt came over me in a second, and I: couldn’t resist it. oned. ; “But you don’t know me at all, Dr. Brookes,” Marion tried to answer. “Oh, I do, indeed!” was the ardent reply. “T know that you are good and brave and noble. most fell in love with you that evening, too, and last, but not least, I know that I love what is lacking.” He was kneeling close by her side now, looking up into her eyes, and as Marion saw — his handsome face, with its ¢andid, fearless — expression, she felt overwhelmed with shame that she had ever doubted him. Still, he was waiting for her to answer and | she must be perfectly honest: She liked him ~ exceedingly well, but did she love him? You see, it’s - Not: that I tried very hard,” he ~ said, laughing a little and pressing the slen- | der fingers that he had found and impris- I know that your sister and Miss — Allyn love you dearly. Then my mother al-— _you, and if that isn’t enough [Id like to know ~ Almost as if for answer, the dark, pleading face of Mr. Ray seemed to rise before her vision. Marion caught her breath quickly and her voice trembled as she answered: “Wait—please wait,” she murmured, with — “T do not know my own — a bewitching smile. mind yet—and your words are so unexpect- ed.” | “All right, Marion,” said the young man, as he touched his lips to her hand. “T will wait, of course, for I do not wish you to be mistaken, but, oh, Marion, dear, do please try to love me!” The last glance between them was one of” loyal friendship. As he bade her good-night — Marion was proud that he loved her. “Tt will all come right some day,” she mur- mured to herself. “Some day my heart will choose between them, but until then the duties of life are before me and I must go patiently on in the career I have chosen.” 3 THE END, No. 4 of My Queen is entitled “Marion Marlowe’s Noble Work; or, The Tragedy at the Hospital,” a story of the deepest interest, in which Marion passes through many thrill- ing experiences, ‘a Eomichbooks.con