Marion Marlowe's Triumph, or, In Spite of Her Enemies — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

22 beauty is eclipsed,” said Miss Ellis to Nona, as they met in the scene room. “Miss Mar- lowe’s pretty face is raising havoc with the men. Why, I hear that Ed Gordon is dead in love with her !” | “Most men are fools over a pretty face, and some of them may yet learn that fact, to their sorrow,” was Nona Nelson’s only an- swer. A. dozen or more members of the company _ came in just then, so Nona made her way to the dressing-room which she shared with Vera. “What do you think? Thompson has put Miss Marlowe in Lemadrid’s dressing-room for to-day,” whispered Vera; “and further- more, he says it is by Temple’s orders.” “So she has bewitched him, too, has she?” asked Nona, bitterly. “Weil, I guess that means she won't stay long in the company.” “[ am not so sure,” said the Spanish girl, while a frown darkened her face. “I’ve got it pretty straight that Temple has put his foot down. ‘They say he is done with Lemadrid forever.” “Well, what are we going to do?” asked the soubrette, anxiously. behind her, we are helpless, Vera! She can turn the head of every man in the company, and if we say a word, no doubt Temple wiil fire us!” A cunning gleam stole into the treacherous Spaniard’s eye. “You are a simpleton, Nona,” she whis- pered, sharply. ‘“The more opposition there is to be met, the more shrewd we must be. That girl is an eyesore to me, with her inno- cent, angel face! And besides, hasn’t she come between me and my love?” “Oh, you admit it, do you? Then you do said Nona, quickly. “Well, He’s gone mad over love him!” you've lost him, Vera! Marion Marlowe!” “And 1 will make him hate her—loathe her hissed the Spanish girl, fu- riously. “TI will stealthily, carefully, but I will leave no stone unturned! That girl shall be ruined in the eyes of every mem- ber of this company, and that before I am many davs older!” She her anger that Nona Nelson almost shivered, —despise her £ work was so terrible in MY QUEEN. “With the manager , * She was vicious and unprincipled herself, but : this girl was positively murderous. The call to the stage sounded just then, and in an instant every mémber of the cast came flocking from the dressing-rooms. As Marion Marlowe came out of Miss Le- © madrid’s special room, Tea every eye was | turned upon her. | Of course the news had spreac around that she had been engaged for the part, and Ma- rion knew only too well that she was the sole» topic of conversation. Vera Villette greeted her the most pleas-_ antly of any member of the ccmpany, and the- young girl felt deeply grateful for the little, | attention she showed her. It was an awkward position for Marion, but she bore it bravely, and her previous ex-_ perience behind the scenes with the Temple — Opera Company made her feel quite a‘ home — in her new surroundings. Fh ‘ As they all stood waiting in the wings Nona got a chance to whisper to Vera. It was something about Ned Hale, and her. friend answered softly: “He got excused from rehearsal at my s sug- gestion. I did not want her to see him unt she had to. One of the supes will do his part~ for him.” i : | Nona smiled grimly as she listened. “You are a deep one, Vera,” she said, — briefly. “I wish I knew the whole of your . i plan. You are going to ‘do’ the girl one way or another !’ “Tl tell you when the time comes, the Jow reply. “We Spaniards have no — pleasure in sharing our honors.” . ” was: A harsh laugh followed the last remark, | and just then the rehearsal was begun by a call for Miss Marlowe. Marion walked out : o» the stage from the proper entrance, and at the stage manager’s order began speaking the first lines of her part. Her voice was sweet and musical, but strong and ringing, every word falling clear and distinct, while the gestures were perfect, One after another of the cast stepped on and off whenever they had any conversation r “business” with her, but not once was she tincertain or weak in her lines. She was what they term-in stage parlance “dead letter perfect.” Eomicbooks com