Putnam patriot., 1909-07-16

write" Jim turned away aad hesaI | tinkering with one of the wagons. Douglas had walked np snd down 1T front of the tents again and again fighting against & deSire fo do the yer, thing that he was doing. but to ns purpose. and now that he was here il seemed impossible that he shonia gs away so unsatisded. He crossed to lin and came determinedly to the point
 Cant l see her. JimF"
 s'Its aein the rules. He did not turn There was another pause: then Doug, las started slowly out of the lot Wait a minute" called Jim. as though the words had been wrang from him. The pastor came back with a question in his eyes.
 T lied to you"
 shes not we'll. thenF' 'oh. yes. she's we'll enough. It ain, that; It's about her being happy"
 "She isn'tg" There wss note of unconscious exultation in his voice.
 No She ain't happy here. an she was happy with you.
 linen why did she leave mee'.
 .I dou't know. She wasn't goin' to do 1t at first Somethin. must d, hap pened afterwards, somethin' that you an me didn't know about"
 "we will know about it, Jim- Where ss shef" His quick eye searched the lot. His voice had resained it's cid command He felt that he could con quer worlds.
 "You can't do no good that way" an swered Jim. "She don't want to see you again."
 Why natr'
 "I don't know. but she told me she d run away if ever even talked to you about her"
 You needn's talk. Jim. I'll talk for myself Where Is shef''
 shell be eomin' out soon. You can walt around out here with me. I'll let you know in time" He led the way through narrow passage between the wagons.
 Jim and Douglas had barely left the lot when Deacon Elyersou's small. round head slipped cautiously around the corner of the dressing tent The llstle deacon glanced exultantly about him. He was monarch of all he sur veyed. IL was very thrilling to stand here on thls 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 himfs shouted Strong. who had followed closely upon Elver- sons heels.
 The little deacon started. Strong WAS certainly disturbing factor at times.
 Yes, I-I saw him."
 "well?
 "He-he-didn't see her"
 What did he do?" Strong was be- side himself with impatience
 "He-he just talked to the big un and went out that way" Eiverson nodded toward the wagons.
 .I guess he ain't gone far" sneered Strong He come over to thls lot to see her. and he ain't goin' to give up till he does It. You wait here. I'll take a lock round" He went quickly III tIt uiItNtiVi VI tDS 0nkoho-
 Elverson needed no second invitation to wait He was congratulating him. self upon his good fortune when he nil but collided with a flying apparition vanishing in the direction of the main tent Sophisticated eyes would have seen only rather stout acrobat clad in pink tights. but Elverson was no, sophisticated. and he teetered after the fitting angel. even unto the forbidden portals of the big top.
 He was peeping through the curtains which had fallen behind her and was getting his first glimpse of the great sawdust world beyond when one of the clowns dashed from the dressing tent on his way to the ring.
 The clown was late. He saw the limp coattails of the deacon. who was three-quarters in the tent Here was a chance to make a funny entrance He grabbed the unsuspecting little man from the rear. The terrified deacon struck out blindly in all directions. his black arms and legs moving like a cen iiPeu N. JUL int 'tp"h htio uaAi b' hst :, by the back and thrust him headfore' most into the tent.
 Strong returned almost immediately from his unsuccessful search for the pastor He looked about the lot for Elverson.
 Hey. there. Elverson!' he called Iustily. There was no response.
 b<. f,is 4 Strong. He disappeared quickly around the corner of the dressing tent. re- solved to keep a sharp lookout for Douglas
 Elverson was thrust from the ten, soon after. splitting sawdust and much diseomfited. by the laughing perform CTS who followed him. His knees al. most gave way beneath him when Bar. ker came out of the ring. snapping his long black whip.
 Get out of here. you bloker' roared Barker. and Elverson got"
 No one had remembered to tell the groom that Polly was not to ride to- night, so Bingo was brought out as usual when their turn" approached.
 Take him back, Tom" Polly called from the entrance when she learned Binso was waiting. and bring Barpa- ran. "I'm not going on tonight. Eioiss is going to ride in my place"
 This was the second time today that Bingo had been led away without go- Ing into the ring. Something in his big. wondering eyes made Polly follow him and apologize. He was very proud, was Bingo. and very copscien- tious. He felt uneasy when he saw