Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-05-15

way TO and from the ring; then the lot
cleared again, and Polly came slowly
from the dressing tent. She looked
very different from the little girl
whom Jim "ad led away from the par
sons garden In a simple white frock
one month before Her thin, pensive
face contracted oddly with her glitter
Ing attire. Her hair was knotted high
on her head and intertwined with
flowers and Jewels. Her slender necl
seemed scarcely able TO support Its
burden Her short, full skirt and low
cut bodice were sblsze with white
and colored stones.
What's on, JimT' she asked.
The leap o. death You got plenty
OF time"
Polly's mind went back to the girl
who answered that call a year ago.
Her spirit seemed very near tonight
The band stopped playing. Barker
made his grandIloquent announcement
about the wonderful act about 10 be
seen, and her eyes wandered TO the
distant church steeple. The moonlight
seemed TO shun it tonight. IL looked
cold and grim and dark. She won
dered whether the solemn bell that
once called its flock TO worship had
become as mute IA her own dead heart
She did not hear the whir OF the great
machine inside the tent as II plunged
through space with its girl occupant.
These things were a part OF the daily
routine. part OF the strange, vague
dream through which she must stun
bic for the rest OF her life.
Jim watched her in silence. Her
face was turned from him. She had
forgotten his presence.
Star gain. PouT' he asked at
length. dreading to disturb her reverie.
Il guess ! was. jim" She turned to
him with a little. forced smile. He
longed 10 save her from Bankers
threatened rebuke.
How you feelin' tonightY'
Pm ali right" she answered cheer
fully.
Anything you wantT'
''Want7" She turned upon him with
startled eyes. There was so much
that she wanted that the mere men
ticn OF the word had opened a well OF
pain In her heart.
4 mean can do anything for your"
"Oh. OF course not" She remem-
bered how little any one could do.
What Is It. PollT" he begged, but
she only turned away and shook her
head with sigh. He followed her
with anxious eyes. What made you
cut out the show today7 Was It be
cause you didn't want to ride afore
folks what knowed you-ride afore
him mebbe2"
"Himr' Her face was white. Jim
reared she might swOon. You don't
mean that he was
'Oh. no. he answered quickly, "of
course not Parsons don't come 10
places like this one. was only fgur.
In that you didn't want other folks to
see an to tell him how you was rid
tn" She did not answer.
~Was that II, Pou7" he urged
Il don't know" She stared into space
WAS ltY'
Il guess It was" she said after a
long time.
81 knowed itP' he cried. 81 was
fool 60 "a brung you back! You don't
belong with Us no more"
''Oh, don't, JIM DON'T Don't make
me feel I'm In the way here toog'
Here too7" He looked at her IN as
constituent You wasn't In his way,
wAs you. Pou2
Yes, Jim" She saw HIS look OF I'M
belief and continued hurriedly: "Oh,
tried not to be! tried 80 hard. He
al 70 -
about my way being his way and my
people his people, but it isn't so, Jim.
Your way is the way you are born. and
your people are the people you are
born with. and you can't change IT,
Jim. no matter how hard you try"
you was changin' It," he answered
savagely. You was gettin' jes' Ike
them people. 1t was me what took you
away an spoiled It all You oughtn't
to "a come. What made you after you
said you wouldn'tT'
She did not answer. Strange things
were going through the mind OF the
slow wstted jim He braced himself
FOR difficult question.
will you answer me somethin'
straight7' he asked.
why. OF course" she said as she
met his gaze.
do you love the parson, PollT'
She started.
ais that it?'
Her Ids hu:tered and closed; she
caught her breath quickly. her lips
apart, then looked far into the dis
lance.
Eyes. Jim, I'm afraid that's IT" The
little figure dropped, and she stood be
, fore him with lowered eyes, unarmed.
Jim looked at her helplessly. then
shook his big. stupid head
"Ain't that hi"
1t seemed such a short time TO Jim
since he had picked her up a cooling