Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-05-15


awkwardly. She hurried on: "Hasty
told me you were showing ia Wake
held. knew you'd come to see me.
How's Barker and all the boysT' She
stopped with catch in her throat and
added more slowly. Il suppose every
things different now that Toby is
gone"
He'd "a liked 20 seen you afore ne
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 Ike He
wasn't the same after we lost you
nobody was. not even Bingo."
Have you still got BingoI'' she ask
ed through her tears.
Yep, we Eot him. drawled Jim.
'but he aiu't much good no more.
None or the other riders can get used
70 his gait ike you was There Amt
nobody with the show what can touch
you ridin'; there never win be Say.
mebbe you think Barker won't let out
q yell when ne sees you comm back"
Jim was 1ubilant now. and he let out
a little yen OF his own at the mere
thought OF her return. He was too
excited 20 notice the look on Polly's
face. Toby had a notion before he
died that you was never a-comln'
back. but I told him I'd change an
that once I seen you. an when Bar
kcr sent me over here today 90 look
arter the advertiser he said he guess
ed you'd had all you wanted O. church
folks. 'Jcs you bring her along 90
Wakefield he said. an tcl! her that
her place is waitin' for her. an I viii
too He turned upon Polly with sud
den decision. why. I feel les Ike
pickin' you up in my arms an carryiu'
you right on now"
"Wait, jim" She put one tiny hand
on his arm Co restrain him.
Il don't -today-mebbe."
he stammcred uncertainty. but wen
be back here a-showiu' next month"
Don't look az me now" Polly an
severed as the doglike eyes searched
her face. because 4 have 10 say some
thing that is going 20 hurt you, Jim"
You're comm. Amt you. PouT
The big face was wrinkled and care
worn with trouble.
$50. Jim" she replied IA q tone so
low that be could scarcely hear her.
You mean that you amt never
comm backT" Tie tried TO realize
what such a decision might mean 20
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. 1T isn't
because 1 don't love you just the SAM,
and Il was good Of Barker 10 keep my
place for me. but I can't 60 back"
He turned away. She chung 20 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 s.
peaceful and stil ] think how Il used
20 be IA the old days, the awful noise
and the rush OF II all. the cherries
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 shrieks
or the animals. and then the parade,
the awful. awful parade. and l riding
through the streets in tights. jim
tightsr' She covered her face TO
shut out the memory. Il couldn't go
back to II, Jim! just cOuldn'tr' She
turned away. her face still hidden IN
her hands. He looked at her q long
while In silence.
II didn't know how you'd come 10
feel about 1t he said doggedly.
you aren't angry, JimT' She
turned to him anxiously. her eyes
| pleading for his forgiveness.
Angry" he echoed. almost bitterly
81 guess It couldn't ever come to that
Rtween you an me. III be all right"
he shrugged his great shoulders. Its
Just kinder sudden, that's all You see,
meyer figured on glviT you up, an
when you said you wasn't comm back
It kinder seemed as though / couldn't
see nothin' all my life but long, dusty
| roads az nobody In 'em. But it's ell
right now. an III just be gettin' along
to the wagon"
but, Jim, you haven't seen Mr..
Douglas" Polly protested. trying to
keep him with her until she could
think OF some way 20 comfort him.
TN look in on him comm back"
said Jim, anxious 10 be alone with his
disappointment. He was out OF the
gate before she could stop him.
Hurry back. won't you, Jiml I'll be
| waiting for you" She watched him
going quickly down the road, his fists
thrust into his brown coat pockets and
his hat pulled over his eyes. lie did
not look back. as he used TO do. to wave
parting farewell. and she turned to-
ward the house with a troubled heart.
She had reached the lower step when
Strong and Elverson approached her