Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-19

money!" she cLurticd
dreamiIy as she murmurcd the wordr
OF the clown song that Jim and Tobl
had taught her years ago;
"Ting ling,
That's what the bells sing
Mandy reach d the side Of the bed
as the girls eyes opened IL second time
and met hers with a blank stare OF
establishments a tiny frown came injo
the small white forehead
whats the mattcrf" she asked
family. trying to find something Ia.
miliar in the black face before her.
Hush, child, hush" Mandy Whis
pered. "Jes' you lay pullicliIy still
OATS only de furs' bell a-rimgin'."
"First bell" the girl repeated rs hcl
eyes Travelled quickly about the strange
walls and the unfamiliar fittings Of the
room. This amt the show" she cried
suddenly.
"Lor' bless you, no! Dis amt nc
show Mandy answered, and she
laughed rcaSSuringly.
"Thcn where am lY' Polly asked,
half brcathlcsS with beWiIdrrmCnt.
"Nebbcr you mind bout dat" was
Mandy's unsatisfactory reply.
but do mind" protested Polly,
trying to raise herself to sitting pO'
SitiOn. "Where's the bunCh?"
"De watt" asked Mandy in surprise.
"The bunch-Jim and Toby an the
rest of the push"
"Lor' bless you," Mandy exclaimed
"dcy's done gone long wild de circus
hours ago"
Gone! Show gone" Polly cried in
Management. Then what am doin
here?"
"Hor oil dar, honey! Hol on"
Mandy cautioned. Don't you cite
yo'se'f"
Let me alone" Polly put aside the
arm that was trying to place shawl
around her II got to get out Of here.
"Youse got plenty O time for dat
Mandy answered "Jes' yO' wait
awhile"
II can't wait. an ! won't" Poll!
shrieked, almost beside herself will
anxiety. 81 got to get to the next
burg-Wakefeld amt it? What time
Is it? Let me alone! Let me go" shc
cried, struggling desperately.
The door opened softly, and the
young pastor stood looking down at
the picture of the frail, white faced
/ child and her black. determined cap
tor
Here, mere. What's all this abOutE'
he asked in a firm tone, though cvt
IDENTITY amused.
"NN<ho are you returned the girl rs
she showed herself quickly bacl
against the pillows and drew the GOV
crs close under her chin, looking Il
him eddy over their top.
"She done been cuttin' up somehl
awful Mandy explained as she treC
to regain enough breath for new en-
counter.
"Cutting up? You surprise me. Mis-
Polly he said, with mock seriousness
How do you know Pm PolIyT th'
little rebel asked, her eyes Glcamin.
large and desperate above the fricndl!
covers.
IF you will be very good and keel
very quiet. | will try to tell you" Ii,
| said as he crossed to the bed
II wont . quiet, not for nobody.
Polly objected with bold disrcgarC
of double negatives. IL got to get ;
move If you amt goin' to help M,
you needn't butt in"
81 am afraid | can't help you to q
just yet" Douglas replied. He was be
ginning to perceive that there were
tasks before him other than the shap
ing OF Polly's character.
what are you tryin' to do to me
anyhow" she asked rs she shot
glance Of suspicion from the pastor t,
Mandy. what am up againSt?"
Don't you be scared; honey" Man
dy rCassurcd her. "YouSe jcs' as SAT-
here as you done been in de circus"
SAFER, we hope" Douglas added
with smile.
"Are you two bug?" Polly QueS
Toned rs she turned her head from
Dne side to the other and studied then
with new idea. well, you can
get none the best Of me. l can ge
away all right, an 7 will too"
She made desperate effort to pu
one foot to the floor, but fell back witt
cry Of pain.