Just as she finished her reflections the cab drew up before a handsome building. Marion saw the words “The Norwood” in gilt letters over the door, and in another instant the cabman was at the window.
“You sit here a minute, miss, till I see if he’s in,” he said, as he moved toward the entrance. He disappeared within the building, leaving Marion trembling with excitement.
“It’s no wonder Aunt Susan’s husband never recognized us,” she whispered bitterly. “He’s rich and lives in luxury, while we are only poor farmers. Oh, I do hope they won’t be ashamed of me just because of my plain clothes.”
She looked down at her homespun dress with a sorrowful sigh. Then her face brightened a little as she reflected that at least it was tidy and very neat fitting. She was not to blame for her personal appearance.
Five, ten minutes elapsed before the cabman reappeared, but when he finally came he had a colored man with him, who promptly lifted Marion’s little trunk to his shoulder.
“This way, miss,” said the negro, and Marion followed happily. Such proof of her uncle’s wealth made her heart beat more rapidly. It did not seem possible that he could refuse the slight request she had come to make of him.
Marion’s eyes grew even brighter as she stepped into the upholstered elevator and was carried to the top floor.
It was the luxury she had dreamed of during her whole life on the farm. She looked upon it as a friend. It neither embarrassed nor startled her.
At the door of a beautifully decorated apartment stood a middle-aged man. Marion had only time to notice that he was bald and dissipated looking when he stepped forward smilingly and introduced himself as her uncle.
“Your aunt is away at present,” he said glibly, “but our housekeeper, Miss Gray, will attend to you, my dear. I am sorry, very sorry, that I missed you at the station.”