Under Lock and Key; or, Marion Marlowe's Last Role — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

Ee “Miss Marlowe is better, but still ailing,” went on the cautious voice, “and the nurse she hired just in the nick of time has proved herself a treasure. Why, a hungry fish could not have snapped at my bait any quicker than she did! If we had chosen ’ her ourselves, we couldn’t have done better! But to go on with my story—the two la- dies have had a confab and they are both laid up -from neryou8ness or ° something. Dr. Brookes is tied hand and foot at his mother’s bedside, while Miss Marlowe is at a hotel almost without a friend. Oh, it’s a sure thing, Carson, the way could not be easier !”” ; : There was a silence for a moment and then the. newcomer drew some papers from his pocket and fingered them carefully. Mr. Carson came to a sudden halt and extended his hand in an eager manner. “So you did get them, after all? Who signed them?” he asked, sharply. The fellow handed him the papers and - watched him closely as he turned them over. There was an exclamation of astonishment as Mr. Carson’s eyes rested upon the signa- tures. . “By all the powers, Blakely, how did you, do it?” he asked, sharply. “That nurse, Miss Kearney, helped with a suggestion or two,” was the drawling an- swer. “I tell you; Carson, that woman is a corker! She isn’t averse to earning your five hundred.. The patient will be entered as Miss Cornelia Gordon. I’ve got it down + on the papers, and there’s her father’s name ‘and two doctors’. They won’t ask any questions when you show them that docu- ment, Carson.” “Did you apply for asked the lawyer, quickly. “Sure, or Peters did, and stated the case in detail. I’ve got Dr. Lee’s answer here. He says he'll make room for her.” “For how much?” “Two hundred a month! Cheap enough!” the admission?” was the answer. As Mr. Carson folded the papers carefully, his pale cheeks flushed and his thin hands trembled so that he could hardly control them. ‘Now all you have to do is to get (or to the asylum,” went on the indiffer- MY QUEEN. -else! 2 4 ent voice again. “And, if you take my ad- vice, you'll lose no time about it. The girl has no relative in this State except a twin sister, who lives in Harlem, and who is as unsophisticated as a child, and with Dr. Brookes dancing attendance on his mother, there’s no one to interfere. A carriage ride with the nurse will fix it nicely. Ofcourse, — she'll make the rest of the arrangements at - ; the sanitarium.” G q There was not a ray of interest as he made the suggestion, for Stephen Blakely ~ was merely doing his part of the present P undertaking. Mr. Carson nodded his head. He was — too nervous to trust his voice. After glanc- ing again at the two signatures he put the papers in a large, plain envelope and sealed it carefully. | 4 “Shall I deliver that?” asked Steve Blake- ly, as he started to resume his disguise. There was a hoarse “Yes” from Mr. Car- son, and then the rustle of greenbacks could be heard distinctly in the dingy office. Steve Blakely took the roll that was hand- ed him and counted it leisurely. When the count was over he put it in his pocket, then adjusted the eye-glasses and beard and left the office silently; there was not even a gvood-night exchanged between the two con- spirators. The moment he was gone Richard Carson bolted the door behind him, then he dropped into his chair, shaking like one with the © palsy. “It had to be done!" he whispered, after a minute. “Ruin, nothing but ruin staring m@ in the face! To loose the Brookes*estate would — mean my undoing, and I am too old, too old to become a beggar!” 7 He leaned his head upon his desk and the . tears trickled through his lashes; then, re- covering himself with a great effort, he rose . to leave the office. “He shall not marry her!” he muttered, as he hurried into his. coat. “Reginald : Brookes shall not disobey his father’s will and so cheat me out of my income as exec- utor of the estate! I have lost everything [ must not lose that! IT will not lose it if this ruse can save it!” EOMIGE .OOKS 7 (E(0)