Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1906-11-07
The Girl FROM
the Circus.
BY L. A. EARKER.

Copyright, 1906 by Joseph B. Bowie ,
The scholar sat in his study before
his writing table, but he did not write.
He leant his elbow on the table and
his head on his hand, and he was
thinking of Phyllis far away in the
mountains with her husband The Ia
BILE was piled with books-several
stood open invitingly-and fair white
sheet Of paper lay on his blotting- pad
but he did not write
Presently the maid opened the door
and said:
There's young woman, sir, asking
to see you; shall say you're en-
gagedY"
"A young woman?" queried the
scholar What sort of young wo
man."
well SIR" and the maid closed the
door behind her. She says she's from
the circus tent that's pitched on the lot
behind the school house
From the circus?" repeated the
scholar. What can she want?"
She won't give her name or mes
sage, sir Shall l say that you're
engaged, sir?"
The maid considered it the height
of impotence" that hussy from the
circus should dare to ask to see her
master Fine doings, indeed, for such
as she to be asking for gentlemen, as
bold rs brass!
The scholar pondered, then he said,
half ID himself, Phyllis would like me
to see her-she was always kind You
can show her in"
The maid departed, and presently
ushered young woman into the room
and Shut the door after her carefully.
The young woman advanced into the
middle of the room and then stood
still awkwardly, and said nothing. She
was tall, slight girl. attired in
variety of garments, startling in hue,
and having apparently no connection
with enc another. Her hair was
crowned by hat of portentous size,
adorned by several rather detected
hooking feathers. But under the furze-
bush of hair the face was oval and al
most beautiful in its regularity of fea-
lures and pure Color.
The scholar rose and bowed, then
with Cldworld courtesy he set chair
for Aer, and having seen ner seated,
murmured something shyly as ito what
he was indebted for the pleasure Of
this y!sit?"
The girl stared at him with wide
blue eyes, then said abruptly: 81 say,
you're KNOWN old cove, aren't
you?"
The scholar stared a little at this
description of himself, and waved his
hands deprecatingly. The glrl wen.
on: I've heard in the town as
you are always a-studyin' old books,
and knows all sorts of heathenish lin
60; now do you know how to make a
love poshin?"
The scholar gazed at her in speech
Jess establishment, then he grasped the
edge of his writing table for support
and st2mmered:
do understand you to ask me If /
know anything about love philtres?"
Yes, that's the ticket" said the girl,
genially, Il want love poshin to give
my young man. He's been and took
mp with Mad'selle Leonore, what does
the trials of strength, and want to
bring him back to me. / was sure as
you'd know
The scholar felt quite sorry for her
when he realized the disappointment
ne was about to infiict, she smiled so
Drettily and looked so pleasant He
shook his head, then he said gently:
I'm afraid am quite unable to help
you in this matter. know nothing OF
such things, neither do believe that
they can have the smallest effect"
But thought you was always a.
studyin' ancient days." said the girl in
an argumentative voice, leaning for
ward in her chair. do think-in
some Of those old books" (waving her
hand in the direction OF the book
lined walIs). Amt there something in
some of them old books?"
7 fear not" said the scholar almost
sadly, she was 50 eager, 50 much in
earnest The girl drew herself up in
her chair and said abruptly: "f'm 4
honest girl, am"
THAT am sure you are, and there
IRE you need no love phlltres. Believe
ne, ycI are quite pretty and good
Nnough 10 Inspire love, an honest love.
without resource TO magic" The schoI-
- nroto neranasiVely. hin vOlrn wa