The Washington herald., 1907-04-28
DUNCAN, P. c.
BY EMILE CIRARD.
BY EMILE GIRARD.

Marion looked up hopefully as the card
wss brought her Even tire announce
ment Of Duncan's name was comforting
But the H,tle oblong Of cardboard bore
in addition to the name the initials 2. c
Perhaps it meant 'penitent culprit.
Duncan was always doing odd things
The magic letters might be his expires
sion OF regret
But when he came brskiy into the
room there was no penitential sorrow in
his couutenance. only The same merry
twinkle OF The eyes, the old lifting OF the
/ corners Of tie mouth
They tell me that Tad IS no better -
he said as he took Aarions Land As
you viii perceive from my card am q
physician 10 children.
Marion's face darkened. This, then,
was the meaning Of the card. He was
worried about her brother For mo-
ment she was minded to renew the old
quarrel but she needed help and sym
puhv. and SO she laid her head on his
shoulder and sobbed OUT her troubles.
/ Her father had been obliged to 90 to
Europe on business, and had taken his
/ wife with him. Marion had been left in
charge Of her uine-year-old brother, and
/ almost before the ship had passed SANDY
/ Hook Tad had come down with typhoid.
I His robust constitution had thrown on
4 the disease, but the battle had lett HIM
weak and listiess, and even the gray
/ bearded physician was worried
There is no actual danger. he ex-
planned to Marion, but be must BE-
reused from this lethargy or he viii "a
into q decline
+ lie had connded the same fear to
Henry Duncan when be met the latter
on the street and the younger man had
asked after his little chum, Then, despite
the misunderstanding between Marion
ana himself he could hold out no longer
and his cali was the result
IF he should die before mother comes
back what should ! d02' walled Marion
send a cable, advised Duncan
/ promptly. but there is not going 10 bt
any more worry now that the physician
10 children has stepped ia. May / sec
my palient2
Marion led him TO the boy's room
+ Tads face lighted as he saw Duncan
and bis fingers UW.Hed cOuidugly abou
the mans firm hand. Duncan wa.
shocked at the thlnness of the fingers
but he gave no sign.
What's the matter. old chap2' he Ge
manded with ID voice now wonderful!
gentle They tell me you d0n'S hnd III
world any good any more
I'm tired" said Tad plaintlyely.
"Iu bet you'd not be too tired to so &
"a circus" said Duncan.
Tad shook his head
"There aint any, he said Il wa
asking Dr. stanton. He says its 10
early for them.
"Clrcuses arc no good if they are pick
ed before they are ripe admitted Henry
but If you don't want too big a circu
o. ] think I can get one Tor yOu-
81 don't Haut "a play circus eXpiaine
the boy. I've got some play circuse.
ones in book and the others in ID
3 cupboard.
Z we got him toy circus and circU
. book. whispered Marion. HE has SOME
3 how set his mind ON a circus 1t viii %
e long time before one comes.
There are no more circuses," reitera'
cd Tad sadly. They ve all gone away
Rats" laughed Duncan. THAT show
All you know about cireusses. VIII a Iii
lie circus do "a real circus, only with on
ringT'
Real horses, real everything. demand
I ed the boy
Z Everything except the tent and N
d red lemonade You see in winter the
Keep circuses in houses So the elephar
won't get his ears fr0st-b.tten. I bet
you had ears as big as an elephants 20
: wouldn't Ike 10 get your ears frost-bi
10 ten
The hoy laughed In delight AT the fame
: and beat toe cOunteTpane with his fragi
: hand
Then there's the giraffe" went q
Duncan. "Why. when be starts 20 coug
IT'S fun minute before. it wriggies d
. his throat So they keep c-rcuses in no
= houses just ike plants"
And there really is clrcuses?"