The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-09-22

On like thisf By acceding to the boys
wishes she might end it all. Teddy and
Chrissy would grow up just as well
without her. while their father would
scramble along like So many other men
who seem never to establish Il footing
in the world. Yes, she could leave it
all and interfere with the boys pros
poets, for she knew all about the boy
how he had but recently left college
and what a career his father had
planned for him.
Yet what was to hinder her from
growing up with him? She never had
had half a chance; she had only known
tie circus.
She controlled the boy. She might
form him into a sensible man and
force his father to recognize her rs a
good woman and a helpful wife. She
was tired of her sordid environment. of
the poverty stricken sham.
She had but TO say the word and the
boy would take her away from it all
She felt in the front of her gown.
Yes, it was there, the ring he had in
sisted upon her taking and which she
wore on string round her neck 50
that Barney should not see it. for if
Barney knew she had it he would i'm
agine she possessed untold riches and
might suggest branching out.
The boy had told her the ring once
belonged to his mother Why had she
accepted it? Not for its money value
surely, though that was considerable.
But it had seemed very pleasant for
her to have it. Knowing that it had
been his mothers, she felt that he re
spected her as the greatest lady in the
land when he could offer her his dead
mothers ring
And he had sent her note this
morning bidding her meet him this
afternoon and answer the question he
had put to her so often-would she be-
come his wife?
To think Of him and his bright ways
and the possibilities that lay before
her! They could go away from these
crowded, congested cities, out to newer
parts of the world where he might
quickly work himself into being pow
er, she at his side. He was educated and
enthusiastic, and education and enthu-
siasm might do anything in this world
But here was Barney again. He was
laughing.
You're in for it!' he said.
She looked at him for explanation
THE old man has come after his
son." he went on. "They told me at
the hotel. Papa and sonny had it hot
and heavy last night; almost came to
blows. And all on your account. Your
name was famed from one to the 9th
err of them. It's the biggest card the
shows ever had Wen be crowded
tonight
Maggie and Sally look black" he
went on. But tonight with crowd
ed house I'll manage to pay them
something on account. Remember
your stunt with the boy Glen, keep
it up" And he went away whistling.
Mademoiselle had many things to do
before she was free to keep her ell
gagement. First of all, Maggie march
ed in. She had been closeted with the
''charmer."
Glen" she said, Sally and l have
made up our minds that we won't go
on tonight without some of our back
pay. Barney's promises are all wind,
and we can't live off air pudding If
you can"
Again came Barney, in the depths
this time.
"Clem," he groaned, Maggie and
Sally are drawers, and they've come
down fiat for their salaries. Couldn't
you manage to borrow something from
that young fellow?"
Stop thatr' she blazed out Don't
ever let me hear you say anything like
that again"
'Oh, you needn't mount the high
horse with me"' he retorted Il don't
care what becomes of the show Only
your sisters children will suffer, that's
ALL"
Mademoiselle watched him leave the
tent and knew that he went for some
thing to invigorate him, as he usually
did when anything went wrong.
Surely she must get away from all
luAS, Sic COulu Slduu IL no longer.
She hurriedly tossed on her street at
tire
How bright the day was! How
| clear and clean the whole world look
ed away from the tent! 1t was a
good and beautiful world, and surely
she had a right to some Of the good
ness and beauty. She paused for a
moment to drink in the glory of sun
shine and blue sky, feeling young, al
most girlish. Then she went on. She
had walked some ten minutes or 50
when she glanced round. Yes, there
he was. She knew he would be on
the watch for her. But the boy was
white Of face, and there was a frown
between his eyes as he came up to
her. Let US get into some quiet
spot" he said. Il have a good deal
to say to you"
There was q new quality about him
that spoke of mastership. She went
along beside him, silent as he, though
she glanced at him sidewise now and
then like some timid schoolgirl And
then they came to little square with