Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1909-06-17

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i .Out:'
.surc. You don't think I'm goin' TO
head my bill with dead one.' do
yous"
II am not dead one.'" she answer
ed excitedly. I'm the best rider
you've had since mother died You've
said 30 yourself"
THAT was afore you got in with
them church cranks. You talk about
your mother. Why, she'd be ashamed
to own you"
"She wouldn't!" cried Polly. Her
eyes were flashing; her face was scar
bet The pride Of hundreds Of years of
ancestry was quivering with indigna-
ton. Il can ride as well as l ever
could. and I'll do 1t too. III do 1t to-
morrow"
'Tomorrow?' echoed Barker. What
do you mean by that?'
II mean that I can't go into that
ring tonight she declared. land I
won't"
She was desperate now and trading
upon strength beyond her own.
He looked at her with momcntary In
decision. She was good rider, the
best since her mother as he had often
told her. He could see this meant an
issue. He felt she would be ON her
mettle tomorrow, as far as her work
vas concerned, II he let her alone
tonight.
"All right he said sullenly. You
a. "a
In there anyway, and got their
money Ill let Eloise do turn on
Barbarian, but tomorrow you'd better
show me your old act"
I'm show you.' she cried. I'm
show your
"well, 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 tine wagons.
He glanced at her nneasily. Whats
he been a-sayin' to you:'
HE says I can't ride any more"
Her lips closed tightly. She stared
straight ahead Of her. He says was
no good to the people that took me in
| and I'm no use here"
Its not sol" Numbered Jim.
"No, it's not" she cried. IN show
him, Jim! I'll show him-tomorroww
She turned toward the dressing tent
Jim caught her firmly by the wrist
Wait Poll! You amt ever goin'
into the ring a-feelin' that way" Her
eyes met his defiantly.
whats the difference? What's the
dinerence! She wrenched her wrist
quickly from him and ran into the
dressing tent. laughing Historically.
''An' brung her back to it, mum
bled Jim as he turned to give orders
to the property men.
Most Of the FIRST half props We're
loaded, and some Of the men were
asleep under the wagons. The lot was
clear. Suddenly he felt some one ap-
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 rift in the clouds
aud fell into circle around them.
"What made you come here?' was
all Jim said
II heard that Miss Polly didn't ride
today. was afraid she might be H.
} whats that to your"
"She isn't ill?" Douglas demanded
anxiously, oblivious to the gruffness
in the big fellows voice.
shes all right" Jim answered
shortly as he shifted uneasily from
one foot to the other and avoided the
pastors burning gaze.
And she's happy, she's content?'
. "Sure."
I'm glad" said Douglas duly. liz
. tried to think of some way to prolonl
their talk. 1--WE never heard from
her. you know"
us folks don't get much time t.
write" Jim turned away and bega1
tinkering with one Of the wagons.
7 Douglas had walked up and down IL
front Of the tents again and again
fighting against desire to do the very
thing that he was doing, but to III
purpose. and now that he was here Il
seemed impossible that he should e
eway 80 unsatisfied. He crossed to jim
and came determinedly to the point
. Cant 1 see her, Jim?"
Its agin the rules" He did not turn
There was another pause; then Doug
las started slowly out Of the lot
WAIT minute" called Jim. a,
though the words had been wrung from
him. The pastor came back with {
question In his eyes.
II lied to you"
She's not well, then?"
"Oh. yes, she's well enough. 1t aim
that: it's about her being happy"
"She isn't?" There was note q
unconscious exultation in his voice.
NO. She amt happy here. an sh'
was happy with you"
'Then why did she leave me:'
II don't know. She wasn't goin' I,
do 1t at first. Somethin' must a hap
pened afterwards. somethin' that 20,
an me didn't know about"
I'VE will know about it, Jim Whcr
Is she:" His quick eye searched tn
lot His voice had rcsained its oil
command. He felt that he could con
! quer worlds.
You can't do no good that way" an
J swered Jim. ''She don't want to Sc
you again"
why noty'
II don't know, but she told me She
run away II ever even talked to yo
about her.