The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-05-19

scious. A year ago she would have
said You bet" He looked at her
awkwardly. She hurried OH: "Hasty
told ME you We're showing In Wake
field. | knew you'd come to see me.
How's Barker and all the boysf" She
stopped with catch In her throat and
added more slowly. II suppose every
things different now that Toby Is
gone"
He'd IA liked to seen you afore he
cashed in." Jim answered, but maybe
II was just as well he didn't. You'd
hardly "a knowed him toward the last,
he got SO thin an peeked like. He
wasn't the same after we lost you
nobody was, not even Bingo.'
"Have you still got Bingo?" she ask
ed. through her tears.
Yep, we got him." drawled Jim,
"but he amt much good no more.
None of the other riders can get used
to his gait like you was. There amt
nobody with the show what can touch
you ridin'; there never Will be. Say,
mebbe you think Barker wont let out
II stii W hth Ht Sttc Vu Noihih puShs
jim was jubilant now, and he let out
Il little yell of his own at the mere
thought of her return. He WAS too
excited to notice the look on Polly's
face toby had notion before he
died that you was never a-comin'
back, but | told him I'd change a.
that once seen you, an when Bais
/ Ia lnnE
arter the advertiser he said he guess
ed you'd had all you wanted O. church
folks. 'Jes' you bring her along to
Wakefield he said. an tell her that
her place Is waitin' for her. an ! will
too" He turned upon Polly with sud
den decision. why. feel jes' like
piekin' you up in my arms an earryin'
you right OFF now"
Wait. JIM She put one tiny hand
on his arm to restrain him.
II don't mean-not-toda mebbe,"
he stammered uncertainty. but Wen
be back here a-showin' next month"
Don't look at me now" Polly an.
swered rs the doglike eyes searched
her face, because | have to say some
thing that is going TO hurt you. jim"
you're comm. amt you, PollY'
The big face was wrinkled and care
worn with trouble.
"No, Jim," she replied In Il tone so
low that he could scarcely hear her.
you mean that you amt never
comm backi" He tried TO realize
what such decision might mean to
him.
"No, jim" she answered tenderly,
for she dreaded the pain that she must
cause the great. good hearted fellow.
you mustn't care like that" she
pleaded seeing the blank desolation
that had come into his face. sit isn't
because don't love you just the same.
and II was good Of Barker to keep my
place for me. but | can't 20 back"
He turned away. She clune to the
rough brown sleeve. "Why, Jim, when
] lie In my little room up there Mt
night"-she glanced toward the win
dow above them-'and everything Is
peaceful and still think how 1t used
to be In the old days, the awful noise
and the rush Of 1t all, the cheerless
wagons, the mob In the tent, the ring
with Its blazing lights. the whirling
round and round on Bingo and the
hoops, always the hoops, till my head
got dizzy and my eyes all dim, and
then the hurry after the show, and the
heat and the dust or the mud and the
rain, and the rumble of the wheels
In the plains at night, and the shrleks
Of the animals, and then the parade,
the awful, awful parade, and riding
through the streets In tights, jim
tights" She covered her face to
shut out the memory II couldn't go
back to It, Jim. just couldn't!" She
turned away, her face still hidden In
ner hands. He looked at her long
while In silence.
II didn't know how you'd come to
feel about It," he said doggedly.
'You aren't angry, JimT' She
turned to him anxiously, her eyes
pleading for his forgiveness.
"AngIy" be echoed, almost bitterly.