Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-05-07

oSoAAos oAC ais w Sieu luIlly
flounced out of the house, calling to
Julia and the others to follow her and
declaring that she would soon let folks
know how the parson had brought q
"circus ridin' girl" into the parsonage.
The painted clown stood alone, look
crossed the room and placed the ALI
gator satchel and the little coat and
hat on the study table. He was care
full not to wrinkle the coat, for this
was Polly's. birthday gift. Jim and he
had planned to have sandwiches and
soda pop on the top of the big wagon
when they offered their treasures to-
night. But now the wagons would
soon be leaving, and where was Pol
ly? He turned to ask this question as
Mandy came down the stairs.
We'll. If dar amt anudder one!" she
cried.
Never mind. Mandy" said Douglas,
who was just behind her. carrying a
small water pitcher and searching for
bottle of brandy which had been
placed in the medicine chest for emer-
gencies.
You can take these upstairs" he
told her when he had filled the pitcher
with water and found the liquor. Man
dy looked threateningly at Toby, then
reluctantly went on her way.
Douglas turned to the old man pleas
antly. His was the first greeting that
Toby had received, and he at last
found voice to ask whether Polly was
badly hurt.
THE doctor hasn't told US yet" said
Douglas kindly.
I'm her Uncle Toby-not her real
uncle" the old man explained, but
that's what she calls me. couldn't
come out right away because I'm on
In the concert Could l see her now
please?"
Here's the DOCTOR" said Douglas as
Hartley came down the stairs, follow
ed by Jim. well, doctor, not bad,
hope?"
Eyes, rather bad" said the doctor,
adding quickly as he saw the suffering
in Toby's face, but don't be alarmed.
oue ) SoillS u get wen.
How long. will it be before we can
have her back-before she can ride
again?" asked Jim gruffiy as he stood
apart, twisting his brown. worn hat
in his hands.
Probably several months" said the
doctor. mo bones are broken, but the
ligaments of one ankle are torn, and
she received bad blow on the head
1t will be some time before she recov-
ers consciousness"
"What are we gon' to do, JimY
asked Toby helplessly.
you needn't worry Well take
good care Of her here" said Douglas,
seeing desperation written on their
faces.
"Here:" They looked at him in
credulously And this was parson!
where are her parents?" the doctor
asked. looking at Jim and Toby.
"She amt got no parents 'cept Toby
an me-" replied Jim. We've took
care of her ever since she was a
baby"
"Oh, ] seer said the doctor. well,
one of you'd better stay here until she
can be moved"
That's the trouble. We can't" said
Toby. hanging his lead. you see, sir
circus folks is like soldiers No mat
ter what happens. the show has to &C
on. an we got to be in our places"
well. well. she'll be safe enough
here" said the doctor 1T is a fortu-
nate thing that Mr.. Douglas can man
age this. Our town hospital burned
down a few months ago, and we've
been rather puzzled as to- what to do
with such cases" He took his leave,
with CHEEKY Good night" and a
promise to look in upon the little pa
tient later Jim shuf1ed awkwardly
toward the pastor
ITS mighty good Of you to do this
he mumbled, but she amt goin' to be
no charity patient. Me an Toby
goin' to lock after her keep"
''iler wants Will lc very few" Doug
las answered kindly. "YCu needn't
trouble mu, Ii about that"
Il mean it," said Jim savagely He
met Dou~!as' CLAN OF surprise with d
determined COX, for lie feared that his
chance of being useful to Polly might
DO slipping cut Of his life.
"You mustn't mind jim" the clown
pleaded at the pastors elbow. "You
see, pain gets some folks different
from others. an 1t always kinder
makes him savage"
"Oh. that's all right" Douglas an