The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-04-15

sonage. In their helpless indignation
they turned upon the little deacon, feel.
ing intuitiveiy that he was enjoying
the drama. Emerson was retreating
toward the door when he was sudden.
~ thrust aside by Douglas.
In the young pastors arms was o
white. snangied burden of humanity.
her slender arm hung lifeless over his
shoulder. The silk stocking was torn
from one bruised ankle: her hair fell
across her face, yelling it from the un.
friendly glanceS of the women. Doug.
las passed out of sight up the stair.
way without looking to the right OF
left, followed by the doctor.
Mandy reached the front door In
time to push back crowd Of fntrud-
ers. She bad barely closed the door
when it was thrust open by Jim
Where is she:" he demanded.
Go way fun here" cried Mandy
as her eyes urconseiously sought the
stairs.
Jim followed the direction of her
glance and cleared the steps at a
bound. Mandy pursued him. muttering
angrily. Deacon Elverson, too. was
about to follow when grim reminder
from Miss Perkins brought him around,
and he made for the door instead. He
started back on opening it, for stand.
ing on the threshold was a clown in
his grotesque makeup. His white
clothes were partially concealed by a
large travelling ulster held together by
one button. In one hand he carried q
small leather satchel. in the other d
girls sailor hat. A little tan coat was
thrown across his arm. The gfggles OF
the boy hiding behind his mothers
skirt were the only greetings received
by the trembling old man in the door
way.
He glanced uncertainty from one un-
friendly face to the other. waiting for
a word Of invitation I'd enter but none
came
Excuse me,'' he said. 81 just
brought some of her little things Shed
better put on her coat when she goes
out. It's gettin' kinder chilly
He looked again into the blank
faces. Still no one spoke. He stepped
forward, trembling with anxiety. A
sudden fear ,clutched at his heart, the
muscles Of his face worked pitifully,
the red painted lips began to culver.
at ain't-it amt that, is IT," he fall
tered, unable to utter the word that
filled him with horror.
Even Miss Perkins was nomentarily
touched by the anguish in the old
mans voice. 81 guess you will find
the person you are looking for up
stairs" she answered tartly and
founced out of the house. calling to
Julia and the others to follow her and
declaring that she would soon let folks
know how the parson had brought a
'circus ridin' girl'' into the parsonage.
The painted clown stood alone, look
ing from one wall to the other, then
crossed the room and placed the ALI
gator satchel and the little coat and
hat on the study table. He was care
full not to wrinkle the coat, for this
was Polly's birthday gift. Jim and he
had planned to have sandwiches and
soda pop on the top of the big wagon
when they offered their treasures to-
night. But now the wagons would
soon be leaving, and where was Pol
ly? He turned to ask this question as
Mandy came down the stairs.
well, if dar amt anudder onew she
cried. -
Never mind, Mandy" said Douglas,
who was just behind her, carrying a
small water pitcher and searching for
bottle of brandy which had been
placed in the medicine chest for emer-
gencies.
You can take these upstairs" he
told her when he had filed the pitcher
with water and found the liquor. Man
dy looked threateningly at Toby, then
reluctantly went on her way.
Douglas turned to the old man pleas
antly. His was the first greeting that
Toby had received, and he at last
found voice to ask whether Polly was
badly burt.
The doctor hasn't told us YETI said
Douglas kindly.
"rm her Uncle Toby-not her real
uncle the old man explained, ''but
that's what she calls me. l couldn't
come out right away because I'm on
in the concert. Could l see her now.
please?"
Here's the DOCTOR" said Douglas as
Hartley came down the stairs, follow.
ed by jim. "Weu, doctor, not bad. l
hope?"
s. Yes, rather bad" said the doctor,
adding quickly as he saw the suffering
in Toby's face. but don't be alarmed.
She's going to get WELL" 80
How long will it be before we can
have her back-before she can ride
again. asked Jim gruff1y as he stood
apart. twisting his brown, worn hat
in his hands
Probably several MONTHS" said the
doctor. No bones are broken, but the
Ii IL 49,