The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-09-08

\ Ii was just after this that the poster
announcing the beauty show at Blink
ers Circus came flaming into his bal
IN the manner of the dawn of new
I life
Yes" said Job later in the day. you
might give it out as official. I'll take
me winner of the first prize-and no
questions asked aftcrward"
Aren't you leavin' it bit to
chance?' objected Sam Evans; lit
might be-well-any one"
Jch E2rc-,c..- eng Z i:-.cu..,. lccr.
1t might" he admitted and it
might not. Eve made my inquiries,
SAM he continued, mo pigs in-pokes
fer me Every girl in the place has en-
tered. But there's only three as stands
a chance-Elizabeth Harmcr, Jane As
kew and Violet Budden"
Sam Evans pondcred.
That's true he said, Il spose
them three has the pick Of Ruggles-
burys looks
Il hope it'll be Elizabeth Harmer,"
said Job Yardsley.
Elizabeth Harn,er was the daughter
OF a dairyman, the reputed owner of
a nest-9gg. The other two were the off
sris Of the local carpenter and
blacksmith respectively
Whichever way it goes" asserted
Sam Evans, the advertisement for the
~ will bn Gr-
tin folks know, you leave it to me,
Job. You couldn't have struck bet
ter man for what | might call givin
wind to you notion
He proved as good as his word.
When Job Yardsley entered the cir
Gus tent upon the eventful evening of
the beauty competition the murmur
that was rising from the packed cir
Gle died into sudden silence As he
seated himself in that segment Of the
tiers which. red baize- covered, demand
ed the most expensive admittance,
cheer rose from the opposite
benches. These being the lowest priced
held freight of irresponsible bcyhood.
The hushing chorus of a multitude of
mothers with Scientifically dressed
daughters by their sides crushed the
untimely demonstration
Job Yardsley gaZed about him in gen.
line surprise. In whichever direction
le turned small sea of faces looked
ntO his own with a frankly interested
stare Job blew his nose. 1t seemed
o him that the space that separated
lin from his neighbors was greater
han that in other parts Of the amphi-
heatre
When, upon the closing of the turn /
# the usual program. girls sinSly. in |
wos and in threes, shyly entered the /
ing in preparation for the contest |
obs heart beat perceptibiy faster. A
ouple of score girls were there below !
dark, fair, short tail. -One-he Won
cred which-was destined to enter his
fe in the most intimate fashion.
The judges entered. Job started
title as he observed them. He had ex-
ected a more widely representative
Ody. In consisted Of Mr.. Blinker him
elf in frock coat and white waist
Eat, the ringmaster and the haute ecole
der, the two latter still in the pro-
sssional splendor of the arena After
pause fourth figure hurried to join
lie group. He wore an olive-green Co.'S
inc with gold-striped trousers. Job,
azing more intently, could perceive
lat it was the wn-unclowned.
Blinker mounted one of the white
alnted pedestals that were wont to
'pport the hoop-holders. The other
Iree surrounded him, perched on less
eVated structures. In another mo-
ent the judging had begun.
Jobs heart beat faster yet. He glanc-
nervously at the four men, The is
le was in their hands. And such an
sue! Upon it depended his and the
aypoles fate. He awoke to the fact
at he was repeating an inane jingle
Jane, Violet; which?
llzabeth, Jane, Violet, which? :
He wiped damp forehead.
He found himself eagerly scanning ;
e faces of the girls who, rejected and
lshed, hurried back to their seats. i
18th still greater anxiety his eye
u2ht out those who remained Their |
lmber had been weeded down to six. t
ley stood in two groups of three.
Job gazed upon the first three. He c
d not miscalculateG Elizabeth Har- /
er, Jane Askew, and Violet Budden
lde up the trio. In the midst OF his v
unph he knew moment of anxiety. t
IZabeth Harmer overcome at the last
oment had stuffed her handkerchief