Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1909-05-21

ly? He turned to ask this question as
Mandy came down the stairs.
well, 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
a bottle of brandy which had been
placed In the medicine chest for emer-
gencies.
"You a take these upstairs" he
told her when he had sled 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.
1.-The doctor hasn't told us yet" said
Douglas kindly.
"Pm her Uncle Toby-not her real
uncle" the old nan explained, but
that's what she calls me. l couldn't
come out right away because I'm on
In the concert. Could l see her now.
pleaser
Here's the DOCTOR" said Douglas as
Hartley came down the stairs. follow
ed by Jim. swell, doctor, not bad, !
hopper"
Eyes, rather bad" said the doctor.
adding quickly as he saw the suffering
in Toby's face, but don't be alarmed.
She's going to get well"
-Hsw long will 1t be before we al
have her back-before she a ride
again. asked Jim grufiy as b 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 a bad blow on the head.
1t will be some time before she recov-
ers consciousness"
What are we goin' to do. JimT'
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 a 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 yer since she was a
baby
-Oh, l sect" said the doctor. well.
one o. you'd better stay here until she
can be moved"
That's the trouble. We can't" said
Toby, hanging his head. "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. at 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 dc
with such cases" He took his leave
with a CHEEKY "Good night and q
promise to look IN upon the little pa
tent later. Jim shuffled awkwardly
toward the pastor.
"It's mighty good Of you to do this
be mumbled, 'tut she amt goin' to be
no charity patient Me an Toby is
goin' to look after her keep"
"Her wants will be very few" Doug
las answered kindly. You needn't
trouble much about that"
81 mean it." said Jim savagely. He
met Douglas glance of surprise with a
determined look, for he feared that his
chance of being useful to Polly might
DO slipping out 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 it always kinder
makes him savage"
"Oh, that's all right" Douglas an
swered quickly. His own life had
been so lonely that he could under
stand the selfish yearning In the big
mans heart. You muA do what you
think best about these thiyAs. Mandy
and l will look after the re-"
Jim hung his head. feeling somehow
that the pastor had seen straight into
his heart and discovered his petty
weakness. He was about to turn to-
ward the door when it was thrown
open by Barker.
"Where is she?" shouted the mana
ger, looking from one to the other.
"She can't come" said Jim in a low,
steady voice, for he knew the storm OF
opposition with which Barker would
meet the announcement.
"Can't Gomez" shrieked Barker. "Of
course she'll come. / can't get along
without her. She's got to come" He
looked at Jim, who remained silent
and firm. "Why amt she comin'?' he
asked, feeling himself already defeat
ed.
"She's hurt bad" was Jim's laconic
reply.
"The devil she tsp said Barker,
looking at Douglas for confirmation
as that right?"