Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1909-07-02
ga, tnrongn Ger renrs.


None OF the other riders can get used
to his gait like you was. There aIn't
nobody with the show what can touch
you ridin'; there never will be. Say,
mebbe you think Barker won't let out
yell when he sees you comm back. :"
Jim was jubilant now, and he let out
a little yell OF his own at the mere
thought OF her return. He was too
excited to notice the look on PolIy's
face. Toby had a notion before he
died that you was never a-comln'
back, but / told him I'D change all
that once 1 seen you, an when Bar
ker sent me over here today TO look
arter the adyertisln' 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 IN waitin' for her. an will
too" lie turned upon Polly with sud
den decision. 'Why, feel les like
pickin' you up In my arms an carryin'
you right OF now"
walt, Jimr' She put one tiny hand
on his arm to restrain him.
az don't not--today-mebbe."
he stammerel uncertainty, but wen
be back here a-showin' next month"
Don't look at me now" Polly an
swered as the doglike eyes searched
her face. because have to say some
thing that is going to hurt you. jim"
You're comm. amt you. Poll?'
The big face was wrinkled and care
worn with trouble.
mo, jim" she replied in n tone 80
low that he could scarcely hear her.
"You mean that you amt never
comm back?" lie tried 10 realize
what such a decision might mean TO
him.
"No, jim" she answered tenderIy.
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 dcsolation
that had come into his face. lit isn't
because don't love you just the same
and 1t was good OF Barker TO keep my
place for me. but l can't 20 back"
He turned away. She chung to the
rough brown sleeve. "Why, Jim, when
lie In my little room up there at
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
aud the rush of 1t ALL the cheerless
wagons, the mob In the tent, the ring
with Its blazing lights, the whirling
round aud round ON Blngo and the
hoops. always the hoops, till my head
got dizzy and my eyes all dim, aud
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 Mt night. and the shrieks
OF the animals. and then the parade,
the awful, awful parade, and riding
through the streets IN tights. Jim
tights" She covered her face 10
shut out the memory. "I couldn't go
back TO II, Jim! Just couldn't!" she
turned away, her face stall hidden in
her hands. He looked at her n long
while In silence
IL didn't know how you'd come 10
feel about IT," he said doggedly,
you aren't angry, Jlmg" She
turned 20 him anxiously. her eyes
pleading for his forgiveness.
Angry he echoed. almost bitterly.
II guess It couldn't ever come to that |
atween you am me. IN be all right" |
lie shrugged his great shoulders. 'Its |
just kinder sudden, that's all. You see,
i never figured ON glvin' you up. an
when you said you wasn't comm back |
IL kinder seemed as though couldn't |
see nothin' all my life but long, dusty |
roads an nobody In 'em. But it's all |
right now, an I'll just be gettln' along
to the wagon"
"But, Jim, you haven't seen Mr..
Douglas" Polly protested, trying 10
Keep him with her until she could
think OF some way TO comfort him.
TN look I'm on him conn., back"
said Jim, anxious 10 be alone with t's
disappointment. He was out OF the
gate before she could stop him.
Hurry back. won't you. jim? I'll be
waiting for YOU" She watched him
going quickly down the road, his fists
thrust into his brown coat pockets aud
bis hat pulled over his eyes. Ia did
not look back, as he used TO do, TO wave
u parting farewell. and she turned to-
ward the house with troubled heart.
She had reached the lower step when
Strong and Elverson approached her
from tho direction OF the church.
was that Teller here 20 take you
back 10 the circusT demanded Strong.
She opened her lips TO reply, but be-
fore she could speak Strong assured
her that the congregation wouldn't do
anything to stop her II she wished 70
80. He saw the blank look on her
face. I'VE Amt tryin' TO pry into none
or your private AFFAIRS" he explained.