Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-07-31

BlnSo was waiting. 'and bring Barba-
rian. I'm not going on tonight. Eloise
Is going to ride In my place"
This was the second time today that
Bingo had been led away without so
Ing into the ring. Something In his
big. wondering eyes made Polly follow
him aud apologize. He was very
proud, was Bingo, and very conscicn-
lious. He felt uneasy when he saw
Ihe other horses going to their work
without him.
Never mind, Bingo," she said, pat
Ting his great arched neck; well
show 'em tonprrow." He rubbed his
satiny nose against her cheek. wen
make them sit up again. Barker says
our acts no good-that I've let down.
But it's not your fault, Bingo. I've
not been fair to you. III give you 4
chance tomorrow. You wait. He'll
never say 1t again. Bingo, never
again!'
Polly had nothing more to do to-
night except to get into her street
clothes. The wagons would soon be
moving away. For moment she
glanced at the dark church steeple
then she turned to 20 inside the tent
A deep, familiar voice stopped her.
"Polly!'
She turned quickly. She could not
answer Douglas came toward her
He gazed at her in amaZement. She
drew her cape about her slightly clad
figure. She seemed older to him, more
uuapproachable with her hair heaped
high and sparkling with jewels.
She found strength at last to open
her lips. but still no sound came from
them. She and the pastor looked at
each other strangely. like spirits new.
~ met from far apart worlds. She,
too. thought her companion changed.
He was older: the circles beneath his
eyes were deeper, the look In their
depths mere grave.
1--WE were such close nelghbors to-
day IL rather thought you'd call"
he stammered He was uncertain
what he was saying. Ii did not matter
he was there with her.
when you're In a circus there isn't
much time for calling"
That's why I've come to call on
you" They might have been shep,
herd and shepherdess ON n May day
wooing for the halting way in which
their words came.
You're all right?" he went Oh.
You're happyr'
YES, very" she said. Her eyes
were dOwncast.
He did not believe her. The effort In
her voice, her drawn. white face, belied
her words How could he get the
truth from her?
"Jim said you might not want to sec
me-"
She started.
Has Jim been talking to your
Yes. but | didn't let him stop me,
for you told me the day you left that
you'd never change-tOward me. Have
you, PollyY He studied her anxiously
why, no. of course not" she said
evasively.
And you'll be quite frank when |
ask you something's
Yes. of course" She was growing
more and more uneasy. She glanced
about for a way of escape
"Why did you leave me rs you did p
Il told you then" She tried to cross
toward the dressing tent.
He seized her small wrists and forced
her to look at him.
"Aud ! am not happy without you
and never. never can be-" The flood
gates were open. His eyes were aglow
He bent toward her eagerly.
"Oh, you mustn'tr' she begged.
you've grown so close" he cried
80 closer She struggled to be free
He did not heed her. "You know. you
must know. what ! mean" He drew
her toward him and forced her into
his arms. you're more precious to
me than all else on this earth"
For the first time he saw the ex-
treme pallor on her face. He felt her
growing limp and llfeless i'm his arms
A doubt crossed his mind. "If l am
wrong In thinking you feel as l do,
If you honestly care for all this" he
glanced about at the tents, "more than
for any life that can give you,