The Springdale news., 1909-07-16

hardly a knOWed him toward the last. he got so thin an peeked like He wasn't the same after we lost you nobody was, not even Bingo"
 "EIave you still got Bingo" she ask ed, through her tears.
 Yep. we got him. drawled Jim. but he ain't much good no more. 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 ridn'; there never will be. Say, mebbe you think Barker won't let out yell when he sees you comin back. Jim was jubilant now, and he let out little yell of his own at the mere thought of her return. He was too excited to notice the look on Polly's face. Toby had a notion before he died that you was never a-eomin back. but I told him I'd change all that once I seen you, an when Bar ker sent me over here today to look arter the advertisin' 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 tha her place is waitin' fer her, an will too. He turned upon Polly with sud den decision. Why, ! feel jes' like pickin' you up ill my arms an carryin you right off now
 Wait, Jimi' She put one tiny hand on his arm to restrain him.
 T don't ot-today-mebbe," he stammered uncertainty, but well R Il, hax yfraf l1
 Don't look at me now Polly an swered as the doglike eyes searched her face. because l have to say some. thing that is going to hurt you, Jim
 You're comin', aint you, Poll?" The big face was wrinkled and care worn with trouble.
 "Ne, Jim." she replied in a tone so low that he could scarcely hear her.
 You mean that you ain.t never cemin' baek?'' He tried to realize what such decision might mean to him.
 No. Jim.s she answered tenderly, for she dreaded the pain that she must cause the great. good hearted fellow. ~ ou. mustn't care like that she pleaded. seeing the blank desolaton that had come into his face. It isn't because 1 don [ love yea just the sane, and 1t was good of Barker to keep my place for me. but l can't go back.
 He turned away. She elung to the rough brown sleeve. "Why. Jim, when l lie ill my little room up there at nfght'-she glanced toward the win dow above them--"and everything is peaceful and still l think how it used to be in the old days. the awful noise and the rush of it all, the eheerless wagons, the mob in the tent. the ring with its blazing lights, the whirline 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 of the animals, and then the parade the awful. awful parade and riding through the streets in tights, Jim tights.'' She covered Der face to shut out the memory. "I couldn't go back 10 it. Jim just couldn't She turned away. her face still hidden in her hands He looked at her long while in silence.
 T didn't know how you'd come to feel about it." he said doggedly.
 You aren't angry, JimT' She turned to him anxiously. her eyes pleading for his forgiveness.
 "AngryT' be echoed. almost bitterly. "I guess 1t couldn't ever come to that atween you an me. I'll be all right" He shrugged his great shoulders. It's just kinder sudden, that's all. You see. l never figured on giyin' you up, an when you said you wasn't comin back it 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 gettin' along to the wagon
 But, Jim, you haven't seen Mir. Douglas" Polly protested. trying 10 keep him with her until she could think of some way to comfort him.
 .I'll look in on him comin' back" said Jim, anxious to be alone with bis disappointment He was out of the gate before she could stop him.
 Hurry back, won't you, Jim? FA 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. I.e 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 1 Strong and Elverson approached her l from the direction of the church.
 Was that felier here 10 take you back to the circus?" demanded Strong
 She opened her lips to reply but be l fore she could speak Strong assured her that the congregation wouldn't do anything to stop her if she wished to go He saw the blank look on her face. We ain't tryin' to pry into none of your private affairs" he explained but my daughter saw you and that