“Poor Miss Gray was afraid of him,” said Marion, sadly, “but she has defied him now. Oh. I do hope it is well with her.”
“She stole your money,” was the man’s curt answer.
“She took it,” corrected the young girl, quickly, “but she left me all her expensive clothes. There is a mystery in her actions that I cannot fathom.”
“Well, one at a time,” said her escort, smiling; “but here we are at headquarters, Miss Marlowe. Shall I go in with you?”
He looked at her anxiously as he asked the question.
A soft, rosy flush stole over her face.
“I think not,” she said slowly, as she gave him an arch smile. “I’ll have quite enough to do without explaining our acquaintance.”
“I guess you are right,” said Mr. Ray, as he returned the smile. “I will be on that corner when you come out, Miss Marlowe, for I don’t intend to leave you until you are safe with your uncle.”
“Oh, thank you!” cried the girl, gratefully. “You are more than kind.”
Then a deep flush mantled her charming features as she remembered the words of almost love which he had spoken.