The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-05-20

issue He felt she would be on her
mettle tomorrow. as far as her work
was concerned. if he let her alone
tonight.
All right" he said sullenly. "You
can stay off tonight. l got the crowd
In there anyway. and l got their
money I'll let Eloise do turn on
Barbarian, but tomorrow you'd better
show me your old act"
"I'Il show youw she cried. 'T'n
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 the wagons.
BE glanced at her uneasily. whats
he been a-sayin' to you:"
He says l can't ride any more"
Her lips closed tightly. She stared
straight ahead Of her. HE says I was
no good to the people that took me In
and I'm no use here
Its not sou Numbered Jim.
NO, it's notv she cried. "I'u show
him. Jim! I'll show him-tomorrowv'
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
difference?' She wrenched her wrist
quickly from him and ran into the
dressing tent. laughing Historically.
can I brung her back to it." mum
bled Jim as he turned to give orders
to the property men.
Most of the first half props" were
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 stein. solitary
figure Of the pastor. wrapped in his
long black cloak. The moonlight
slipped through a rift in the clouds
and fell into circle around them.
"What made you come here?" was
all Jim said.
II heard that Miss Polly didn't ride
today. l was afraid she might be i'll"
whats that to yOu?"
"She isn't ILL.," Douglas demanded
anxiously, oblivious to the gruffness
in the big fellows voice.
"She's 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. He
tried to think Of some way to prolong
their talk. 1--WE never heard from
her. you know"
us folks don't get much time to
write Jim turned away and began
tinkering with one Of the wagons.
Douglas had walked up and down in
front of the tents again and again.
fighting against q desire to do the very
thing that he was doing. but to no
purpose. and now that he was here it
seemed impossible that he should go
away so unsatisfied. He crossed to Jim
and came determinedly to the point.
Cant see her. Jim?'
"It's agin the rules" He did not turn.
There was another pause; then Doug
las started slowly out Of the lot.
"Wait minute" called Jim, as
though the words had been wrung from
him. The pastor came back with a
question in his eyes.
II lied to YOU
she's not we'll. them"
"Oh, yes. she's we'll enough. It amt
that; it's about her being happy"
"She isn't?" There was a note Of
unconscious exultation in his voice.
mo. She amt happy here. an she
was happy with you
"Then why did she leave me?"
II don't know. She wasn't goin' to
do it at first. Somethin' must "a hap
pened afterwards. somethin' that you
an me didn't know about"
1--WE will know about it, Jim. Where
Is she?' His quick eye searched the
lot. His voice had regained it's old
command. He felt that he could con-
quer worlds.
You can't do no good that way" an
swered Jims "She don't want to see
you again."
why nOt?'
Il don't know, but she told me she'd
run away if I ever even talked to you
about her.
You needn't talk, Jim. I'll talk for
myself Where is she?"
She'll be comm cut soon. You can
wait around out here with me. I'll let
You know in time" He led the way
through a narrow passage between the
wagons.
Jim and Douglas had barely left the
lot when Deacon Elverson's small,
round head slipped cautiously around
the corner Of the dressing tent. The
little deacon glanced exultantly about
him. He was monarch Of all he sur
veyed. 1t was very thrilling to stand
here on this forbidden ground Smelling
the sawdust. gazing at the big red wag-
ons. studying the unprotected circus
properties and listening to the tighten
ing tempo Of the band.
Did you see him?' shouted Strong.
who had followed closely upon Elver-
sons heels.
The little deacon started Strong was
certainly a disturbing factor at times.
Yes. IL saw him.
"Well?'
'He-he-didn't see her"
What did he do?' Strong was be-
side himself with Impotence.
"He-he just talked to the big un
and went out that way" Elverson
nodded toward the wagons.
Il guess he amt gone far" sneered
Strong. He come over to this lot to
see her. and he amt goin' to give up
till he does it. You wait hare. I'll
take look round" He went quickly
in the direction Of the wagons.
Elverson needed no second invitation
to wait. He was congratulating him
self upon his good fortune when he all
but collided with flying apparition,
vanishing in the direction of the main