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

tried to think OF some way 20 prolong
their talk. I've never heard from
her. you know"
"Us folks don't get much time 70
write" Jim turned away and began
[ tinkering with one OF the wagons.
Douglas had walked up and down iu
/ front Of the tents again aud again.
/ lighting against a desire 20 do the very
/ thing that he was doing. but 20 no
purpose. and now that be was here 20
| seemed impossible that he should 60
/ away SO unsatisfed. He crossed TO Jim
and came determinedly 90 the point
cant I sec her JimT"
Its agin the rules He diJ not turn
There was another pause: tiAn Doug
las started slowly out OF the lot.
"Wnit n minute" called Jim. as
| though the words had been wrung from
| him. The pastor came back with
question IN HIS eyes.
Il lied 10 you"
shes not well. them"
"Oh. yes. she's well enough. 70 amt
that: It's about her being happy"
"She isn'tT' There was q note OF
unconscious exultatlon in his voice.
"No. She aln't happy here. an she
was happy with you"
Then why did she leave meFF
II don't know. She wasn't goin' 20
do Il at first. Somethin' must a hap
pened after~ards. somcthin' that you
an me didn't know about"
I'VE VIII know about 80. Jim. Where
Is sheT" His quick eye searched the
lot His voice had regaiued It's old
command. He felt that he could con-
Quer worlds
you can't do no good that way" an
swered Jim. "She don't want 10 see
you again"
/ why notT'
Il don't know. but she told me she'd
/ rur away n ] ever even talked TO 700
, about her"
! You needn't talk. Jim. I'll talk for
/ myself Where is she2"
shell be comm out soon. You can
walt around out here with me- I'll let
you know In time" He led the way
/ through a narrow passage between the
/ wagons.
Jim and Douglas had barely lef, the
lot when Deacon Elverson's small.
round head slipped cautiously around
the corner OF the dressing tent Tie
little deacon glanced cxultantly about
him. He was monarch OF an he sur
veyed- IL was very thrilling 20 stand
here on this forbidden ground smelling
the sawdust, gazing az til big red wac-
ons. studying the unprotected circus
properties and listening 10 the tighten
ing tempo Of the band.
Did you see hlmT shouted Strong
who had followed closely upon Elver-
sons heels
The little deacon started. Strong was
certainly a disturbing factor at times.
"Yes. II saw him"
"WeuT'
"He-he-didn't see her"
what did he dof" Strong was be-
side himself with Impotence.
"He-he just talked 20 the big IN
and went out that way" Elverson
nodded toward the wagons.
| II guess he amt gone far" sneered
Strong. "IIe come over 20 this lot 10
see her and be amt goln' TO give up
til be does It, You wait here. I'll
take a look round" He went quickly
In the direction Of the wagons.
ElversOn needed no second invitation
to wait He was congratulating him
self upon his good fortune when he all
but collided with a flying apparition.
vanishing in the direction OF the main
tent Sophisticated eyes would have
| seen only a rather stout acrobat clad
/ IN pink tights, but Elverson was not
| sophisticated, and be teetered after the
| nFefFvr.
portals OF the big top.
He was peeplng through the curtains
which had fallen behind her and was
getting his first glimpse OF the great
| sawdust world beyond when one OF
the clowns dashed from the dressing
tent on his way 10 the ring.
The clown was late He saw the
limp coattals Of the deacon, who was
three-quarters In the tent Here was
chance to make a funny entrance.
He grabbed the unsuspecting little man
from the rear. The terrified deacon
struck out indy In all directions, his
black arms end legs moving like a cen
| tiped's, but the clown held him firmly
by the back and thrust him headfore-
most into the tent
Strong returned almost Immediately
from his unsuccessful search for the
pastor. lie looked about the lot for
4 EMERSON.
| "Hey, there. ElversonF' he called
Justify. There was no response.
| "Now. where's he got TOT" grumbled
Strong. He disappeared quickly around
the corner OF the dressing tent, re-
solved TO keep a sharp lookout for
l Douglas.
EMERSON was thrust from the tent
l soon after, splitting sawdust and much
discounted, by the laughing perform
ers who followed him. His knees al
most gave way beneath him when Bar
ker came ont Of the ring. swapping his
long black whip.
Get out Of here, you bloker' roared