Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-05-22

were being carried from the
ring. and Jim turned away 10
- superintend their loading.
Performers again rushed 10y each
other on their way TO and from the
main tent
Polly stood IN the center Of the lot
frownlng and anxious. The mere men
lion Of the pastors name had made Il
seem impossible FOR her 10 ride to
night For hours she had been whip
ping herself up 10 the point OF doing
IT, and now her courage failed her
She followed Barker as he came from
the ring
Mr.. Barker. please"'
He turned upon her sharply.
Wei. what IS So nowT'
Il want 20 ask YOU 10 let me OF
again tonight" She spoke In a short.
Jerky. desperate way.
What he shrieked. "Not 20 into
the ring. with all them people inside
what's paid their money because they
knowed your
That's IT," she cried. 4 oau'tl /
ean'tr'
YOU'RE rettin' too tonyr' Barker
Eneered. That's the trouble with you
You amt been good for nothin' since
you was at that parsons house You
didn't stay there. and you're no use
here First thing you know you'll be
out all round"
"OutTr
Sure You don't think I'm goin' 10
head my bin with a dead one do
your
sff , ~, -. =. 81 -... 81. A. .
60 excitedly. I'm the best rider
you've had since mother died. You've
said SO yourself"
THAT was afore you got In with
them church crankS You talk about
your mother, why. she'd be ashamed
90 own you"
'She wouldn'tr' cried Polly. Her
eyes were flashing. her face was scar
let The pride OF hundreds OF years Of
ancestry was Quivering with indigna-
tion. 4 can ride as well as ] ever
could. and I'll do II too I'll do Il to
rnorrow"
Tomorrow echoed Barker. What
do you mean By thatG"
y mean that I can't go into that
ring tonight" she declared. "and ]
won't"
She WIS desperate now and trading
upon strength beyond her own.
BE looked at her with momentary IN
decision. She was a good rider. the
best since her mother. as ne had often
told her lie could see this meant an
issue. He felt she would be on her
metue tomorrow. as far as her work
was concerned. II he let her alone
tonight
AL right" be said suncnly. you
can stay OF tonight got the crowd
IN there anyway. and got their
money. I'll let Eloise do a turn on
Barbarian. but tomorrow you'd better
show me your old act~
an show your she cried. "In
show your
We'll, see that you do" He crossed
into the ring.
Polly stood where Barker had left
her, white and tense Jim came toward
her from the direction Of the wagons.
BE glanced at her uneasily. What's
he been a-sayin' 20 your"
'He says l can't ride any more"
Her lips closed tightly. She stared
NAAeA- al AtAftAA Va AlfAs he says 4 WAS
no good 10 the people that took me In
and I'm no use here"
TITS not sor' Numbered Jim.
'No. it's not" she cried. IN show
him. Jim! I'll show him-tomorrowr
She turned toward the dressing tent.
Jim caught her firmly by the wrist.
walt. Polli You amt ever goin'
into the ring a-feelln' that way" Her
eyes met his dehantly.
whats the differCncel What's the
dinerenceT She wrenched her wrist
quickly from him and ran into the
dressing tent. laughing Historically.
AN / brung her back 10 IL" mum
bled Jim as he turned 20 give orders
to the property men.
Most OF the first half props" were
loaded, and some OF the men were
asleep under the wagons. The lot was
clear Suddenly he felt some one APP
preaching from the back OF the in
closure. He turned and found himself
face to face with the stern. solitary
figure Of the pastor, wrapped IN his
long black cloak. The moonlight
slipped through a rift In the clouds
and fell into a circle around them.
what made you come hereT" was
all jim said.
Il heard that Miss Polly didn't ride
today. was afraid she might be H."
whats that TO your"
''She isn't MP Douglas demanded
anxiously. obliviOus TO the gruffness
IN the big fellows voice.
"She's Az right" Jim answered
shortly as be shifted uneasny from
one foot TO the other and avoided the
pastors burning gaze.
"And she's happy, she's contentr'
''Sure"
I'm glad" said Douglas DULY. he