The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-06-03

locked at him blankiy. IF she would
only complain" be said TO himself;
II she wonld only get mad, anything.
anything 10 wake her" Bur she did
not complain. She went through her
daily routine very humbly and quietly.
she sometimes wondered how Jim
could talk 80 much about her work,
but before she could answer the ques-
ton Ter mind drifted back 10 other
days. TO a garden and towers. and Jim
stole away unmissed and left her with
folded hand and wide, staring eyes.
gazing into Tire distance.
Tie memory u these times made
JIr helpless tonight. lie had gone on
hoping from day TO day that Barker
nlghf not notice the ''let down. IN her
work. aud now the blow had fallen.
How could he tell herr
One o. the acts came tumbling out
~ the main tent. There was a mo-
ment's confusion as clowns. acrobats
and animals passed each other on their
way 10 and from the ring: then the lot
cleared again. and Polly came slowly
from the dressing tent. She looked
very different from the little Girl
whom Jim lad led away from the par.
sons garden In a simple white frock
one month before. Her thin. pensiye
face contrasted oddly with her glitter.
ing attire. Her hair was knotted high
on her head and intertwined with
flowers and jewels. Her slender neck
seemed scarcely able 10 support its
burden. Her short. full skirt and low
cut bodice were ablaze with white
and colored stones.
whats on. Jimr' she asked.
The leap o. death. You got plenty
% time"
Polly's mind went back 20 the girl
who answered that call a year ago.
Her spirit seemed very near tonight.
The band stopped playing. Barker
made his grandIloguent announcement
about the wonderful act about TO be
seen. and her eyes wandered 10 the
distant church steepie. The moonlight
seemed 10 shun II tonight. II looked
cold and grim aud dark. She won
dered whether the solemn bell that
once called Its Gock 20 worship had
become az mute MS her own dead heart.
She did not hear the whir Of the great
machine inside the tent as II plunged
through space with It's girl occupant.
These things were a part q the daily
routine. part Of the strange. vague
dream through which she must stun
bic for the rest II her life.
Jim WATCHED her In silence. Her
face was turned from him. She had
forgotten hls presence.
star gain, Poilr be asked nc
length. drcadIng 20 disturb her reyerIc.
Il guess was. jim" She turned 20
hln with little. forced smile. He
l9nged 20 SAFE her from Barker's
threatened rebuke.
How you fcelin' tonirhtT'
I'm nil right" she answered cheer.
fully.
Anything you wantT
''WantT She turned upon him with
startled eyes. There was 50 much
that she wanted that the mere men.
ton OF the word had opened a well Of
pain In her heart
y mean can do anything for your"
"0h. Of course not" She remem.
bered how little any one could do.
What Is II. Pollr' he begged. but
she only turned away and shook her
head with sigh. lie followed her
with anxious eyes. What made you
cut out the show todayf Was Il be.
cause you didn't want to ride aforc
folks what knowed you--ride afore
him mebbef-
"Himr Her face was white. Jim
Feared she might swoon. ''you don't
inean TINT he was
oh, no." he answered quickly. -of
course NOT. Parsons don't come r.
places Ike this one. Iwas only 0gur.