The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-05-01

81 ~ ta4-N-MN |a
nm ayE9SFFusy.
You've Seen Poliy asked Douglakt
shaking Jim cordially BY the band!
YES. I've seen herr
'srhe deacon here has an idea that
Polly is going back to the cfrcns with
you" He nodded toward Strong. al.
most laughing at the surprise in store
for him.
Back to the circus?' asked Jim.
did she say anything to you about
itT He was worried By the bewiIder,
ment in Jlm's manner.
Before Jim could reply Polly. who
had reached the steps in time to catch
the last few words. slipped quickly
between them. She wore her coal and
hat and carried a small brown satchel.
"of course l did. didn't |, JlmP' she
said. turning her back upon the pas.
tor and motlonlng to Jim not to an
swer. Douglas gazed at her in aston.
ishmcnt.
what do you meanT" be asked In a
hoarse. strained voice. He glanced at
the coat and hat. Where are you
going?"
Polly avoided his eyes aud continued
nervously TO Jim:
what made you come back? Why
didn't you wait for me down the
street? Now you've. spoiled every
thing" She pretended to be very
vexed with him. The big fellow look
ed puzzled. He tried to protest, but
she put a warning finger to her lips
and pressed the little brown satchel
into his hand. Its no uSe," she went
on hurrledly. "We might as well tell
them everything now" She turned to
Douglas and pretended to laugh. "You
have found IFS out"
The deacOns were slightly uneasy.
The frOwn on Douglas forehead was
deepening.
"Oh. see how serious be looks" she
teased. with a toss of her head toward
the grim vlsaged pastor.
as this some trickT he demanded
sternly.
"Don't be angry" she pleaded. "wlsh
me luck"
She held out one small hand. He did
not take 1t. She wavcred: then she
felt the eyes of the deacons upon her.
Courage returned, and she spoke In a
firm, clear voice, az am going to run
nwny."
Douglas stepped before her and stud
led her keenly.
Run away?" he exclaimed incredu.
lousy.
"Yes-to the circus with jim"
"You couldn't do such a thing" he
answered e%xcltedly. why. only a mo-
ment ago you told me you would never
leave me-"
"Oh, but that was q moment ago."
she cried in a strained high voice.
THAT was before Jim came. You see,
I didn't know how I felt until l saw
Jim and heard all about my old
friends-how Barker Is keeping my
place for re and how they all want
to see me And | want 10 see them
and to hear the music and the laugh
ter and the clown songs Oh, the
clown songs" She waltzed about.
hummlng the snatch of melody that
Mandy had heard the morning that
Polly first woke in the parsonage
Ting, ling
That's how the bells ring.
Ting. ling. pretty young thing.
Shn nnugn1 Ins hands ninS,,nI In
hind her head, and gaacd at them with
n brave little smile. "0h, it's going to
be fne-fnew
You don't know what you're doing!"
said Douglas. He seized her roughly
by the arm. Pain was making him
brutal. a won't let you go! DO you
hear me? wOn't-nOt until you've
thought it over"
u have thought It over" Polly IN
swered, meeting his eyes and trying to
speak lightly. Her lips trcmblGd. She
could uot bear for him to think her so
ungrateful. She remembered his great.
Kindness, the many thoughtful acts
that had made the past year so pre-
cious to her.
you've been nwfully good to me.
Mr.. John" She tried to choke back n
sob. III forget it-never! III
always feel the same toward you. But
you mustn't ask me to stay. want to
get back TO them that knew ME first
to my own. Circus folks aren't cut out
for parsons homes, and I was born In
the circus. love til love IT." She
felt her strength going and cried out
wildly: 81 want BlngO! | want to 20
round and round the ring! l want the
lights and the music and the hoops! |.
want the shrleks Of the animals and
the rumble of the wheels in the plains
ut night! | want to ride in the big pa.
ra1e! ! want to live aud dic-just die
as circus folks die! | want to 20
back! want to so mck!"
She. put out one trembling hand to
Jim and rushed quickly through the
gate, laughing and sObbing Historically
and calling to him TO follow.