The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-04-28


honcVin she chuekled
dreamily as she murmured the words
of the clown song that Jim and Toby
had taught her years ago:
Ting ling.
That's what the bells sing
Mandy reached the side of the bed
us the girls eyes opened second time
and met hers with blank stare Of
establishment. A tiny frown came into
the small white forehead.
Whats the matterf" she asked
family. trying to find something ia.
Hush. child, hush," Mandy whis
percd. 'Jes' you lay puflickly still.
OATS only de furs' bell arlngin"
First bellf" the girl repeated as her
eyes Travelled quickly about the strange
walls and the unfamiliar fittings Of the
room. This amt the shown she cried
suddenly.
'Lor' bless you. no. Dis amt no
show" Mandy answered. and she
laughed reassuringly.
"rhen where am II" Polly asked
half breathless with bewilderment.
"Nebber you mind bout dat" was
Mandy's unsatisfactory reply.
But ! do mind" protested Polly,
trying 10 raise herself to sitting po
sitlon. Where's the bunchi"
..Dc watt asked Mandy In surprise.
The bupch-Jim and Toby an the
rest of the pushv'
.Ior' bless YOU" Mandy exclaimed,
'dey's done gone long Wild de circus
hours ago"
amazement. Then what am | dom
herei"
"Hol' OH dar. honey. Hor on"
Mandy cautioned Don't you cite
yo'se'f"
Let me alone!' Polly put aside the
arm that was trying to place u shawl
around her. II got to get out Of here"
.'Youse got plenty o. time for dat"
Mandy answered "Jes' yo' walt
awhile"
Il cant wait. an WON'T! Polly
shrieked. almost beside herself with
anxiety. 81 got TO get to the next
burg Wakefield, amt 1t? What time
cried, struggling desperately.
The door opened softly, and the
young pastor stood looking down ut
the picture Of the frail, white faced
child and her black, determined cap
tor.
Here. here. What's all this aboutT
he asked In II firm tone. though evi
IDENTIFY amused.
.'Who are your" returned the girl as
she showed herself quickly back
against the pillows and drew the Gov
ers close under her chin, looking al
him oddly over their top.
"She done been cuttin up somefD
awful" Mandy explained as she tried
to regain enough breath for new en-
counter.
Cutting upf You surprise me, Miss
Polly" he said. with mock seriousness
How do you know I'm Polly?" the
little rebel asked, her eyes cleaning
large and desperate above the friendly
covers.
III you will be very good and keer
very quiet. will try to tell you" he
said as he crossed to the bed.
Il won't be quiet not for nobody
Polly objected, with bold disregard
Of double negatives. Il got to get q
move. II you amt goin' to help me
you needn't butt In"
Il am afraid / can't help you to e.
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 as she shot q
glance Of suspicion from the pastor to
Mandy. What am / up against?'
Don't you be scared, honey" Man
dy treasured her. "Youse jes' as safe
here as you done been In de circus"
''Safer. we hope" Douglas added
with a smile.
"Are you two bugf" Polly ques.
toned as she turned her head from
one side to the other and studied them
with new idea. 'Well, you cant
get none the best Of me. l can get
away all riaht;,an' / will too"
She made-a desperate effort to put
one foot to the dooe. but fell back WITH
q cry Of pain.