Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-31

which had once been silver until the browns
rebelled and reclaimed it. and he conspicuously
exposed the bosom of the shirt of blue Scotty did
not wear a collar. That was luxury in advance
of the show business. Only the owner, the press
agent and the double-roll acrobats wore collars
(even on Sunday, and these people out Of
Scotty's class.
He lounged over to the entrance of the womens
tent, where moment before he had seen Mother
Belle, who had charge of wardrobe mendng.
Mother Belle often relaxed the dignity assumed
with that important post, remembering the days
when she had been the wife of Blevins, the stable
boss now dead, and she sometimes noticed the
better of the show hands, always Scotty.
Morning. mother" said scotty pleasantly.
''Scotty, l do believe you've got your best
Sunday clothes this morning
"That's what, mother" he replied cheerfully,
feeling in a side pocket for his pipe. Slowly he
commenced filing his pet briar, which always
reflective operation with Scotty. He glanced out
Seems Just like the old Baltimore, eh, mother?"
he suggested.
well. there's some difference, mebbe." she re-
Piled Better lot than that one on the Belair Road
If can recollect."
Amt been on that Belair Road lot since the
Adam Forepaugh days. You weren't along then,
wasn't l. thought"
WAS you? Well, well-wardrobin'?"
''What did ye think, young man-loopin' tn
loop?'
scotty laughed, he had finished loading the brar
and sucked at it comfortably
"I remember, mother-sure you was there all
right was okin'. An there was Benny Jackson,
remember him? The fellow what used to make the
long swing from the middle pole over TO a trapee
an back again. Course ye do. Broke his neck in
that act out in Columbus By Christmas! I
him that night at six o'clock, that very night, an
he was sparkin' a girl-an' to think OF it! At half
past nine he was dead, an me carryin him outer
the ring. It made me sick, it did. Yes. an there
was Dave Oelrich, he"
Scotty paused, looking over the shoulder Of his
listener. He seemed to see something as in
vision, causing Mother Bellies curiosity to become
active, when she turned to see for herself.
A young woman came toward them. She was
buSily engaged in buttoning-gloveS. Scotty had
seen that she was prettily dressed and that she
had abundance of dark red hair.
Thought I knew every with this layout"
he said softly. whats she do, mother-bare-
back?"
''Pshaw! that's the new girl on your car.
Scotty"
'..Newsgirl?"
"sure. Name amt to be Goddess no more an
this girls doing the part in the come-on.'"
We'll by Christmasl" said scotty to himself.
as she neared them, ''she's all right"
Now the glove buttoned and the girl came
up to Mother Belle. 81 heard the BELLS" she
said. Scotty did not move away, but glanced shyy
and we'll formed.
"Goin to church," asked Mother Belle.
IF you will show me the way" the girl an
swered
"scotty, where's the churchesP" inquired the
mistress of the wardrobe, being ignorant of tenn
pies.
There's church right over yonder," said
Scotty removing his pipe and pointing with it coun-
tryward. Calls 1t st. AIMS, think-anyway, it's
over there"
THAT way?" said the girl, looking at him and
noting the faded suitng, the blue shirt not unlike
an engineers, and the sturdy length of neck inno-
cent of adornment. Scotty flushed. He could
not understand the mild review
Yes" he said again pointing "Over there
Miss"
THANK you"
She had taken few steps in the direction ind-
Gated when sudden boldness seized on the usually
shy and diiident Scotty. His old self fought with
IL for supremacy, but the old self lost and the new
force carried scotty right up to the side of the
Goddess
"May-maybe can show ye. Miss"-he STAN
mered.
mo" she replied coldly critical, surveying him
again "No-you haven't your collar"
Then she went on, leaving seotty standing where
he had offered himself He looked after her; his
hand crept up 'stealthiy to the band of his shirt
and he pulled gently, without knowing why. at the