The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1909-10-28
to the other. then coughed behind his

to the other. then coughed behind his
hat
Were all very much interested in
the circus" said Douglas. "Can't you
tell us about it?'
Il just went into the lot to look for
my son." stammered the deacon. II
feared Peter had strayed."
"Why, deacony' said Mrs. Willough-
by. 81 just stopped by your house
and saw Mrs. Elverson putting Peter
to bed"
The deacon was saved from further
embarrassment by an exclamation
from Julia, who had stayed at the
window. "Oh, look: something has
happened!' she cried. There's a
crowd. They are coming this way"
Douglas crossed quickly to Julia's
side and saw an excited mob collect
ing before the entrance to the main
tent. He had time to discover no
more before Mandy burst in at the
door. painting with excitement and roll
ing her large. white trimmed eyeballs.
MARS John. little circus girl done
fall off her hossv' she cried. "Dr.
Hartley say can dey bring her in
heah?"
''Of course" said Douglas. hurrying
outside.
from the women. who were aghast at
the idea of circus rider in the par.
sonage. In their helpless indignation
they turned upon the little deacon, feel.
ing intuitively that he was enjoying
the drama. Elverson was retreating
toward the door when he was sudden
~ thrust aside by Douglas.
In the young pastors arms was q
white. spangled 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 IL
time to push back a crowd Of intrud
ers. She had barely closed the dool
when it was thrust open by Jim.
where is sheY he demanded.
go way FUN here!' cried Mandy
as her eyes unconsciously sought tn,
stairs.
Jim followed the direction of hel
glance and cleared the steps at {
bound. Mandy pursued him. mutterin,
angrily. Deacon Elverson. too, wa
about to follow when a grim reminde
from Miss Perkins brought him around
and he made for the door instead. H
started back on opening it, for stand
ing on the threshold was clown Il
his grotesQue makeup. His whit
clothes were partially concealed by
large travelling ulster held together b
one button. In one hand he carried
small leather satchel. in the other
gafrs sailor hat. A little tan coat wa
thrown across his arm. The giggles {
the boy hiding behind his mother
Skirt were the only greetings receive
by the trembling old man In the doc
way.
He glanced uncertainty from one u,
sfriendly face to the other. waiting fc
a WORD OF 1nVlt1ClOn 10 enter, out non
came.
Excuse me-" he said. 'T Jus
Efbrought some of her little things. She'<
l,better put ON her coat when she goe
out. It's gettin' kinder chilly"
A He looked again into the blanl
faces. Still NO one spoke. He steppe,
forward, trembling with anxiety. !
sudden fear clutched at his heart, tn
muscles of his face worked pitifully
the red painted Tips began to Quiver.
4 1T ain't-it amt that, is itg" he fa
tered, unable to utter the word tina
/ filled him with horror.
Even Miss Perkins was Tnomentaril
touched by the anguish I'm the oil
mans voice. II guess you will fin
tho DQreCm x.ou .arvN lnOlin0 for ny