Under Lock and Key; or, Marion Marlowe's Last Role — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

was a flash in his sunken eyes that spoke of intense emotion. “Of course she will consent, . dearest! Why, she cannot help loving my sweet- heart!” was the prompt answer. “In fact, Marion, my mother more than half loves you already, but you see, it is this way— she adored my father and, now that he is dead, she feels that she must carry out his wishes, one of which you know, so I need not repeat it.”’ There was a moment’s silence and the rat- tle of dishes; then, as the waiters at both tables moved swiitly away, the young couple resumed their low conversation. “T don’t blame her, Reginald,” said the young girl; “if you should die, I should feel exactly the same way. No matter how foolish your wishes might be, I should be ‘anxious to execute them.” “You and mother are so~much alike, Marion,” answered her lover, tenderly. “The two best women in the world! You must love each other, Marion!”’ There was another clatter of dishes and Richard Carson raised his cup of coffee to his lips, but his hands trembled so badly that he set it down untasted. .The young couple on the other side of the draped par- tition did not dream of his presence, and the next moment, as he had heard his own name, he bent forward feverishly. “Will that lawyer, Mr. Carson, try to in- fluence her?” asked the young girl, quietly. “You know, I heard him trying to influ- -ence you that day at your office,” There was a low exclamation which spoke plainly of disgust, and then the caves- dropper made good the adage of hearing no good of hirftself, for Reginald Brookes was angry and spoke with unusual severity. “Carson is a fool!” he said, quickly. “He can’t see the length of his nose, He knew mv father and he ought to know me! The idea of his thinking that the loss of a hun- dred thousand would stop me from marry- ing the woman | love! Well, I guess not! Not so long as I have two hands with which to support her!” “Vou are so brave, darling!’ came the sil- very voice, “Ch. T don’t believe she will MY QUEEN. ask me to give you up when I tell her how dearly I “sve you, Reginald!” There was another brief pause and then the young girl spoke in a more serious voice, while her lover was silent. “I do miss Mrs. Burnside and Lena so,” she said, sadly. ““They have gone to Boston for a two weeks’ visit, and I feel as lone- some at the hotel as *nough I were in a wilderness. I’d go up and stay with Dol- lie, only I am so worried, dear. I will not feel like myself until I have seen your mother.” : “You do look feverish, sweetheart, and you are not eating,” was the quick answer. “Oh, Marion, can’t you trust me when I assure you that all will be well? That you will be my precious wife in another month and that nothing on earth can come be- tween us!” | Richard Carson had heard enough, and, after paying his bill hurriedly, he hastened from the restaurant. | The night was dark and mild, and, as he walked slowly, his brain was seething with a tumult of perplexing thoughts, and his face seemed to steadily grow paler and paler. Suddenly he came face to face with a familiar figure.’ He , half stopped, then moved on, then turned and spoke to the man who was leaning against a lamppost in a careless attitude. “Steve Blakely, is it you?” he asked, in a low tone. “You have forgotten me, perhaps —I am Richard Carson.” The man pulled his hand out of his pocket and offered it familiarly. “No, I haven’t forgotten you, but [ waited for you to speak,” he said, coolly. “T’m a little bashful, you know, especially with my superiors,” He laughed coarsely as he spoke, but the lawyer did not notice it. He had been do- ing some hard thinking in the space of a minute. , La Py “Tl did you a favor once,” he went on, directly. “Will you do me one now, if you can, Blakely?” The fellow joined him as he spoke and the two turned a corner into a quieter street and walked a few steps before there _ was any reply to his question. Eomichoo Cc S5GO