Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-12-13
The Girl From
the Circus.
BY L. A, HARkER,

Copyright, 1910 ~ Joseph d, Bowie }
The scholar sat in his study be-ofe
his writing table, hut he did not write
lie 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
bic was piled with books-seNeral
stood open mvitingly-and a fair white
sheet OF paper lay ON his blottins-pad
but ne did not write,
Presently the maid opened the door
and said;
There's a young woman, sir, asking
to see you; shall say you're en-
gagely"
"A young woman?" queried the
scholar What sort Of a young wo-
man2"
We'll, 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 elreus?" repeated the
scholar What can she wantg"
"She won't give her name or mes
sage, sir, Shall | say that you're
engaged, sir?'
The maid considered II the height
OF impotence" that hussy from the
circus should dare to ask 10 see her
master Fine doings. indeed, for such
rs sha 10 be asking for gentlemen, as
bold as brass!
The scholar pondered. then he said,
half u himself, Phyllis would like me
to see her-she was always kind, You
can show her in"
The maid departed. and presently
ushered a 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 a
variety of garments, startling in hue,
and having apparently no connection
with enc another. Her hair was
crowned by a hat OF pOrtentous size,
adorned by several rather detected
looking 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 Cid-world courtesy he set a chair
for her, and having seen ner seated,
murmured something shyly as Ito what
he was indebted for the pleasure of
this yisit?"
The girl stared at him with wide
blue eyes, then said abruptly: 81 say,
you're a KNOWN old cove, aren't
your
The scholar stared a little at this
description of him elf, and waved his
hands deprecatingly. The girl Went
on: I've heard in the town as
you are always a-studyin' old books,
and knows all sorts of heathenish lin
go; now do you know how to make
love poshin?"
The scholar gazed at her in speech
less establishment, then he grasped the
edge of his writing table for support
and st2mmered:
DO understand you to ask me If l
know anything about love philtres?"
Yes, that's the ticket" said the girl.
genially, Il want a love pOshin to give
my young man. He's been and took
up 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
he was about to infict, she smiled so
prettily 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 wallis. Amt there something in
some of them old books?"
i fear not" said the scholar almost
sadly she was so eager, so much in
earnest. The girl drew herself IN in
her chair and said abruptly: I'm a
honest girl, / am"
THAT am sure you are, and there
fore you need no love philtres. Believe
me, yen are quite pretty and good
enough to inspire love, an honest love
without resource to magic The schol.
ar spoke persuasively, his voice was
very gentle and his manner courtlv
The girl winked her wide blue ewes
and made little swallowing motion
with her throat, then she coughed, and
continued: MY fathers brought us I'M
strict. He don't allow swearing for
women; and if we was light he'd Law
the horse whip about our shoulders he
would. He's clown in our show. he
is" nv
There was silence for a minute in
the big library, then the scholar said
gently: why do you want love pbf1-
tire? Is the-man you are engaged 70
fickle?"
We'll, he runs after Madselle Leo