Marion took Dollie to her room before she broke down; then, when the door was safely locked, she burst out crying.
“Oh, Marion, dear, what shall we do?” asked Dollie helplessly. “I can’t go home to father now! Whatever shall we do in this big, wicked city?”
Marion wiped her eyes and smiled as brightly as ever.
“Nonsense, Dollie!” she said, gayly. “It is not a wicked city at all! It is perfectly glorious! And oh, how I love it!”
“Then you don’t intend to go back?” asked Dollie, relieved.
“Never!” said Marion, stoutly, “or, at least not if I can help it. We’ll get something to do, and stay right here, Dollie. There’s a place for us here, but we’ve got to find it!
“Isn’t it lovely, Dollie?” cried Marion suddenly. “The superintendent of the lodging-house has found Bert Jackson a position!”
Then noticing Dollie’s look she hastened to explain the exciting episode in Bert’s day. Her sister was delighted when she heard of the adventure.
“I just caught a glimpse of him on the street,” she said, “when that monster, Mr. Lawson, stepped directly between us. Bert knocked him down, but he was up in a flash—then the next I knew poor Bert had been arrested and he was leading me along—I could not resist him.”
“You must tell me all, every word,” said Marion soberly. “I must know the full length and breadth of that man’s villainy, Dollie. After that you must try to forget him, dear! You are safe from him, now—never again can he harm you! When he is safely disposed of we shall have enough to do, for we must go to work to win fame and fortune.”