The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-04-22

newly arrived AT her sixteenth year
Only the desperation of las, moment
had forced him 20 decide upon the lui
tAtion alligator bag, which be now
held In his hand.
II looked small aud mean TO him ~
The moment ~ presentation approach.
ed. aud he was glad that the salcswo,
man In the little country store had
suggested the addition of ribbons and
iaces, which he now drew from the
pocket OF his corduroys lie placed
his red aud blue treasures very care.
fully IN the bottom Of the satchel and
remembered with regret tho strand OF
coral beads which be had 90 nearly
bought to 60 with them.
He opened The large property trunh
BY his side and took from II laundry
box which held little tan coat that
was 10 be Toby's contribution 10 the
birthday surprise. He was big hearted
enough 10 be- glnd that Tphy's glft
seemed fine aud more useful than his.
II was only when the leap OF death
act preceding Pollys turn was an
nonnced that the big fellow gave up
fcasting his eyes on the satchel and
coat and hid them away IN the biz
property trunk. She would be out IN
a minute, and these wonders were not
10 be revealed 10 her until the close
Of the nights performance.
Jim put down the I'D Of the trunk
and sat upon II. feeling like criminal
because he was hiding something
from Polly.
His consciousness Of guilt was In.
creased us he recalled how often she
had forbidden Toby and himself to
rush into reckless extravagances for
her sake and how she had been more
nearly angry than he had ever seen
her when they had put their months
salaries together TO buy her the span.
gled dress for her first appearance. II
had taken a great many apologies and
promises as 10 their future behavior
TO calm her. and now they had again
disobeyed her II would be great re-
lief when tonight's ordeal was over.
Jim watched Polly uneasily as she
came from the dressing tent and stop
ped to gaze ut the nearby church stee-
pie. The incongruity Of the slang that
soon came from her delicately formed
lips was lost upon him as she turned
her eyes toward him.
Say, Jim," she said. with a western
drawl "them's funny lot OF guys
what goes TO them church places, amt
theyr
"Most everybody has got some kind
of a bug" Jim assented, II guess they
don't do much harm"
"Member the time you took me into
one OF them places to get me outa the
rain, the Sunday our wagon broke
DOWN. Well. that bunch we butted
into wouldn't "a give Sells Bros. no
cause for worry with that show n
theirn, would they, JimI' She looked
at him with witherlng disgust Say,
wasn't that the punklest stunt that
fellow In black was doin' on the plat.
form? You said Joe was only ten min
utes gettIn' the tire on to our wheel;
but, say, you take II from me, jim, IL
| had to wait another ten minutes as
long as that one I'd be too old to go
on a-ridin'."
Jim "lowed" some church shows
might be better than that un," but
Polly said he could have her end OF
the bet and summed up by declaring
It no wonder that "the yaps In these
towns Is daffy about clrcuses II they
don't have nothin' better 'an church
shows to go to-
One OF the grooms was entering the
lot with Polly's horse. She stopped to
tighten one Of her sandals, and as she
rose Jim saw her sway slightly and
nut one hand TO her head He looked
at her sharply, remembering her faint
ness in the parade that morning.
"You amt feelIn' right" be said un-
easily.
"You Just bet am" Polly answered,
with an Independent toss OF her head.
"This Is the night we're goin' to make
them Rubes In there sit up, ain't 1t,
BlngoT she added, placing one arm
about the neck OF the
big white horse that stood waiting
near the entrance.
"You bin ridin' too reckless lately"
said jim sternly as he followed her.
n don't like 1t. There amt no need OF
your putin In all them extra stunts
Your act Is good enough without EN-.
Nobody else ever done 'em, an no
body d miss 'em II you left 'em out"
Polly turned with triumphant ring
In her voice. The music was swelling
for her entrance,
"You amt my mother, jim; you're
my grandmother" she taunted, and
with crack Of her whip she was
,way on Bingo's back
"It's the spirit Of the dead one that's
,ot into her" Jim mumbled as be turn
d away, still seeing the fash IN the
departing girls eyes.