The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-12-31
NILE. zOE'S
LAST CIRCUS TOUR
by VIII W. wn,lIs
tCopyTIshI BY Daily slOTJ Pub, ool

topyHsht ~ DAILY Stof1 fub' bol
Mile. Zoe had a new lover. the
snake-charmer noticed: but what OF
lhaty Mile. Zoe had a lover In every
town that the circus reached, II was
but natural that men should run after
Nile Zoe. for wasn't she 10 radiantly
beautiful that she could shine with
lut much polish Of cosmeties3 The
fact OF Mile Zoes having the lover
vas no surprise 10 the snake-charm'
or. but the fact OF her encouraging
him. Other men less susceptible than
Ralph Patterson lost their hearts At
sight OF Mile. Zoe.
Now the circus was nj Montgomery,
but Ralph Patterson. being no laggard
In love. had followed Mile. Zoe there.
lie sat now In her dressing apart.
mcnt. his eyes on her mobile face.
You ask me TO marry you" she
said, sweeping her golden pompadour
from her white forehead. DO you
realize what that means? There Is
little virtue on the stage. there is less
In the circus. innocent eyes cannot
endure the s...g o. the footlights
from behind. la.occLt heads cannot
dwell under the circus canvas. And
b,agty. BAH SCH n doves wings.
aud prefer a crow TO her"
You are young TO talk that way"
he argued.
Yes. am young" There was
touch OF bitterness In her rich voice.
but despite my years. a man had
as well marry my pet tlgress. Lady
Belle as me"
You can leave the circus"
Il had intended TO do so before !
saw YOU. This is my last season as
lion.tamer; intend 10 40 on the
stage"
why not leave both and be my
wife? I am not rich. but can offer
you a mans strong love. will work
for you"
rs a mans love strong? doubt
H." Her dark eyes were cold as she
locked into his soft blue orbs Per.
haps you have said to other women
what you are saying 10 me-"
Marry me. and let me prove my
love- Ills handsome face looked In.
nocent as a boys.
You must walt for your answer"
She glanced at her watch and arose
as sign OF dismissal. Il must per.
form"
rs there in this world to-day a man
whom ! could Iowa man worthy OF
woman's love?"
Mile. Zoe moaned these words pit
eously into the ear Of her pet tigress.
Fierce Lady Belle quailed before the
fierce fire in the eyes Of her mis-
tress.
Mile. Zoe must be going TO intro.
duce a new act commented the
snake.charmer, laying some blood on
her cheeks with her own cunning
hand Il saw her teaching Lady Belle
10 tear a stuffed figure TO pieces-a
mans figure with straw hat on the
head: II made my flesh creep all over.
don't see how any man can love
lion.tamer."
The circus had remained three days
at Montgomery; now IL was TO leave.
Ralph Patterson was again in Mile.
Zoe's dressing apartment, pleading his
love, and devouring her beauty with
his liquid blue eyes.
You complain that | keep you in
suspense" she said, waving away his
caress with the gesture of a queen.
You shall have my answer directly
| ask more from my husband than ]
can give him. He must be a man to
whom | can look up, man without
past am young enough to begin
all over again. II the right man helps
me- Do you meet my demand?'
The question was abrupt; but Pat
te.son looked as innocent. as boyish
as ever. although a man OF 30. His
face seemed an open book-"conscious
OF no wrong doing, no crime to pale
at remembered
After all, the game may not be
worth the candle" went on Mile. Zoe.
in a dispassionate tone. You may
find, Ralph, the gold you prize turn
to lead, when the merciless daylight
of married life falls upon IT, Will
you run the risk?'
"Yes"-fiercely.
How you must love me-" she said,
coolly.
For answer he pressed a passion.
ate kiss upon her lips. She received
it in matter-of-fact way that would
have chilled another man.
Some people believe "a sin that's
hiddens half forgiven" she said,
with negligent ease of manner; but
there are few things hidden in this
world; so many of our dead and bur.
led sins resurrect and stand to ties.
tify against u.s. What a PITY"
No change in Patterson's face. He
was thinking how much of the pas
sionate rose this nun-like lily had in
her nature.
Il must tell YOU a story, Ralph.