Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1906-07-20

to him that the space that separated
him from his neighbors was greater
than that in other parts Of the amphi-
theatre.
When, upon the closing of the turn
of the usual program, girls singly, in
twos and in threes, shyly entered the
ring in preparation for the contest
Jobs heart beat perceptibly faster. A
couple of score girls were there below
dark, fair, short, tall One-he won
life in the most intimate fashion.
The judges entered. Job started a
little as he observed them. He had ex-
spected a more widely representative
body. In consisted of Mr.. Blinker him
self in a frock coat and white waist
coat, the ringmaster and the haute ecole
rider, the two latter still in the pro-
fessional splendor of the arena. After
a pause a fourth figure hurried to join
the group. He wore an olive-green CO.'S
tune with gold-striped trousers. Job,
gazing more intently, could perceive
that it was the clown-unclowned
Blinker mounted one of the white
painted pedestals that were wont to
support the hoop-holders. The other
three surrounded him, perched on less
elevated structures In another mo-
ment the judging had begun.
Jobs heart beat faster yet He glanc-
ed nervously at the four men. The is
sue was in their hands And such an
issue! Upon it depended his and the
Maypole's fate. He awoke to the fact
that he was repeating an inane jingle
Elizabeth, Jane, Violet; which?
Elizabeth, Jane, Violet, which?
He wiped damp forehead
He found himself eagerly scanning
the faces of the girls who, rejected and
flushed hurried back to their seats.
With still greater anxiety his eye
sought out those who remained. Their
number had been weeded down to six.
They stood in two groups of three.
Job gazed upon the first three He
had not miscalculated Elizabeth Har-
mer, Jane Askew, and Violet Budden
made up the trio. In the midst of his
triumph he knew moment of anxiety.
Elizabeth Harmer overcome at the last
moment had stuffed her handkerchief
into her mouth. She was concealing
her chin.
The ringmaster, the clown. and the
haute ecole rider descending from their
pedestals entered into conversation
with each of the three, pairing off one
with each. Job noticed a startled look
on the face of each of the girls Then
they began to giggle. The gallant per-
formers looked perfectly at home.
shout from a small boy among the
audience broke silence.
What are you doin, there, Sally
Magin?" it called
Jobs eyes turned upon the other
trio of girls. Sally Magin, a snub-
nosed, freckle-faced, prominent cared
virgin, was the nearest to him. The
other two were but little better favored.
Job wondered whether 'booby prize
had been included
toward her aggressor.
IF that's Tommy Burn that said
that his sister was outed first round"
she called back vindictively
Sally Magin had a temper.
Further discussion was arrested by
loud call for silence from Mr.. Blink
err
A dead hush fell Job turned a last
glance toward Elizabeth Harmer and
her two companions His bosom swell
ed. Never before had he realized how
pretty they were AS each listened to
a whispering cavalier blush mantled
six cheeks.
Mr.. Blinker, after clearing his throat,
began:
'sThe judging being now concluded,
ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor
able duty to present the valuable
prizes. The first prize is here-you
can see it for yourselves rcd and
white striped blouse. The first prize,
ladies and gentlemen, has been awarded
with one voiee-in fact, | might say
agnanimously-to,s here he raised
his voice, ito one whom / will call the
Belle of the Ring. The fortunate lady
IS Miss Sally Magin
After stunned moment of silence a
roar went III gnaf Shook the canvas
roof. Pit Job scarcely heard ii. He
felt suddenly faint. His eye wandered