The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-05-20

the cO/ner OF the dressing tent, re
solved to keep q sharp lookout fol
Douglas.
EMERSON was thrust from the ten,
soon after, splitting sawdust and much
discounted, by the laughing perform
ers who followed him. His knees al
most gave way beneath him when Bar
ker came out Of the ring. swapping his
long black whip
"Get out Of here, you bloke" roared
Barker, and Elverson "got."
No one had remembered to tell the
groom that Polv was not to ride to
night, so Bingo was brought out as
usual when their turn" approached.
Take him back. Tom. Polly called
from the entrance whe,s she learned
Bingo was waiting, land 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 go
ing into the ring. Something in his
big, wondering eyes made Polly follow
him and apologize. He was very
proud, was Bingo, and very conscien-
tious. He felt uneasy when he saw
the other horses going to their work
without him.
Never mind, Bingo," she said, pat
ting his great, arched neck; well
show 'em tomorrow" He rubbed his
satiny nose against her cheek. We'll
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. I'll give you a
chance tomorrow You wait. He'll
never say it 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 a moment she
glanced at the dark church steeple;
then she turned to go 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
unapproachable 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
ly 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 more grave.
I'VE were such close neighbors to.
day IL rather thought you'd call, u
he stammered. He was uncertain
what he was saying. 1t 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 a May day
wooing for the hating way in which
their words came
You're all right?" he went on
You're happy?"
Yes, very" she said. Her eyes
were downcast.
He did not believe her. The effort In
her voice, her drawn, white face, belize
her words. How could he get the
truth from her?
Jim said you might not want to see
me-"
She started ST..
Has Jim been talking to youY
Yes. but l didn't let him stop me-
for you told me the day you left that
you'd never change-toward me. Have
you, Polly?" 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 q way of escape.
why did you leave me us you did p
Il told you them" She tried to cross
toward the dressing tent.
He seized her small wrists and forced
her to look at him.
"And l 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't she begged.
you've grown so close" he cried
so close" 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-
IRENE pallor on her face. He felt her
growing limp and lifeless in his arms
A doubt crossed his mind. IF I am
wrong in thinking you feel as / do
If you honestly care for all this" he
glanced about at the tents, more than
for any life that 1 can give you, ]