Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-10

much Soc1ab1l1ty, rear, between the tent
men and the ARTISTS there?" she asked.
Barlow looked up suddenly and the
blood crept up over the collar Of his fan
mel shirt. But If the girl had meant to be
rude. her look and manner belied her.
could you push me over the sugar
bowl?' she asked sweetly. Now. 1 don't
believe in class distinction In the show
business. Ny people lived in a house that
was so large 1t was afterward turned into
hotel. and they didn't have to put on
any additions. either. and we had two
bathrooms especially for the help. but 1
don't believe in talking about how good
your people were-especially when they
disown YOU" Miss Montmorency hest
tated. but. getting no reply, rambled on.
i
II say we're all performers here to-
gethsf-all equal-some Of US because
we've got no other place to go. and others
because they want to lose themselves and
forget, or. perhaps, to be forgotten. and
again, some like the open air and the
freedom of 1t, and I suppose the freaks
Could they?"
Barlow nodded and gulped down a Ia
blespoonful Of steaming coffee.
when you've been in the business as
morency you'll find that people drift
into circus business. They never go into it
deliberately. They use 1t as a stop-gap,
and sometimes they leave it. and then
we'll. then they drift back again and die
under the white tents. Now, I'll bet you
don't think you are going to stick by show
business all your nfe do you? You think
you're just little bit better than this
and you'll get bundle of money together
and try something else. but you'll come
had gradually risen, until the last words
fairly rang out to David as a challenge
The young man. in answer. smiled and
continued to eat his modest breakfast
he laid down his knife and fork and
looked steadily into the eyes Of the girl
opposite him. Miss Montmorency stared
sullenly back at him. and then the blood
crept slowly into her cheeks. and she
gave quick toss to the mass OF brown
curls that covered her pretty head. Then
she buried her face deep in her tin coffee
cup.
. II don't pretend" said Barlow. talking
to the shining bottom of the coffee cup,
Ito be any better than any one in or out
of this business. don't know that care
to look after horses all my days. but II
that is the best can do. then I hope III
have to do 1t under the white tents. as
you call 1t. But why do you care, any
how?''
The girl gradually raised her blushing
face above the rim of the tin-cup and her
lips broke into the most charming Of
fellowship. Don't you think I'm the
prettiest girl in this campo"
Barlow nodded his head gravely at
her.
Don't you think. then. admitting I'm
the belle of the circus. that I have a right
to expect the admiration Of all the good
looking young men in the show? I took
notice Of you the first day you joined us.
but you didn't pay me any heed at ALL did
you? l knew you were way above your
q I
you're very good" interrupted Bar
tow: 'but what makes you think I am
better than my job? AS q matter Of fact
/ left stable to Join the circus''
Miss Montmorency shook her head in
credulously. Barlow sat still and won
dered why he had never noticed the girl
before. She had SO much real beauty
and socially seemed ready to meet him At
How did you become a slack-wire per-
former?' he asked abruptly.
''Oh. that's easy"
(Which" asked Barlow, 1.-The answer
or the slack Wire?''
+ i
Both" she said. when left home 1
went on the stage as a chorus girl in a
cheap burlesque company. There was a
team with us called the Darrows that did
a horizontal bar speciality. They worked
with the burlesque show in the winter and
with the circus every summer. When the
theatrical season was over l went with
them as sort of attendant during their
act. / wore full green tights and handed
them the props and the family handker-
chief. with con smile. l was always try
ing stunts between performances, but this
slack-wire game was much the showiest:
so ! worked 1t up-its. dead easy when
you get the trick. Have you seen me
work?"
6o
I'm so busy" he said. II never seem
to have time to do anything"
You must take time" answered the
girl, "for my sake. You must break away
from the horses and take walk or a
buggy ride with me. These moonlight
nights are fine" The girl rose from the
table and reached out her hand to Bar
tow: "Glad to have met you. Don't make
yourself so much of stranger" and the
blood rushed into her cheeks again.
The evening performance had long Seen
over and only a few torches lit up the
circus grounds. The night Waterman had
trimmed his lamp and ctarted on his
rounds; the quiet of the night was broken
only by the shutting feet of the horses
and the heavy breathing of the animals in
the cages. A hundred yards from the tents
Barlow sat alone on a fallen log. his ell
bows on his knees and his chin resting
in his hands. The moon turned the water
of the little creek running at his feet into
molten silver and the tents beyond into
gHstening banks of chalk. In all his quiet
life II seemed to David that he had never
been quite so lonely before. And then he
heard the gentle patter Of footsteps be-
hind him. and two little soft hands were
clasped tightly over his eyes.
II know" he said: Miss Montmo-
rency'
The girl dropped her hands on his shout
ders and then. clasping them again about
his throat. drew back his head until his
eyes looked directly into hers. Not Miss
Montmorency." she said; Never again.
It's just plain Maggie now. Isn't 1t
Dave?"
1t may be the ever-present necessity for
a clear eye and a cool head. or perhaps 1t
is the open air but 1t Is always true that
dissipation plays no part In the life OF
circus people. Had David Barlow and
Marguerite Montmorency been members
of travelling theatrical organization or
had they been placed in almost any other
surroundings. their friendship could hard
~ have escaped the breath of scandal.
But the members of Wilber's Allied Shows
had long known Maggie. and soon came
to know the true worth OF David, and So
during all that long hot summer. there
were no rumors, no gossip. just pleasant
smiles and dull simple jokes for the two
young and good-looking lovers.
= =
Mrs. Garrison's theatrical boarding
house was situated on 42d street, some
what nearer the river than 1t was to
Broadway-altogether too near the river