Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1910-04-07
BY MARGARET MAYO

cashed in," Jim answered, but maybe
1t was just as we'll he didn't. You'd
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"
"Have you still got Bingo" she ask
ed, through her tears.
"Yep, we got him." drawled Jim,
"but he amt much good no more.
None Of the other riders can get used
to his gait like you was. There amt
nobody with the show what can touch
you ridin' there never will be. Say,
mebbe you think Barker won't let out
yell when he sees you comm 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 q notion before he
died that you was never a-cOmin
back, but l told him I'd change all
that once | seen you. an when Bar.
ker sent me over here today to look
arter the advertiser 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 that
her place is waitin' for her. an l will
too" He turned upon Polly with sud
den decision. Why, feel jes' like
pickin' you up in my arms an carryin'
you right off now"
"Wait, Jim She put one tiny hand
on his arm to restrain him.
81 don't nOt-today-mebbe,"
he stammered uncertainty, but We'll
be back here a-showin' next month"
Don't look at me nOw," Polly an
swered as the dOglike eyes searched
her face, because | have to say some
thing that is going to hurt you, jim"
you're comm, amt you, PollT'
The big face was wrinkled and care
worn with trouble.
"No, jim" she replied in a tone so
low that he could scarcely hear her.
You mean that you amt never
comm back?" He tried to realize
what such a decision might mean to
him
mo, jim" she answered tenderly,
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 l don't love you just the same,
and it was good of Barker to keep my
place for me, but l can't go back"
He turned away. She chung to the
1, ell hu he,
l lie in my little room up there at
night"-she glanced toward the win
dow above them-"and everything Is
peaceful and still | think how it used
to be in the old days, the awful noise
and the rush of it all, the cherries
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
of the animals, and then the parade,
the awful. awful parade. and 1 riding
through the streets In tights. Jim
tights!' She covered her face to
shut out the memory. 81 couldn't go
back to 1t, Jim! I just couldn'tw She
turned away, her face still hidden In
her hands. He looked at her a long
while In silence.
81 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.
"Angry" he echoed. almost bitterly
81 guess it couldn't ever come to that
atween you an me. I'll be all right"
He shrugged his great shoulders. ITS
just kinder sudden, that's all. You see,
/ never figured on givin' you up, an
when you said you wasn't comm back
1t kinder seemed as though l 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 Mr..
Douglas" Polly protested. trying to
keep him with her until she could
think of some way to comfort him.
'T'll look I'm on him comm back"
said Jim, anxious to be alone with his
disappointment. He was out Of the
gate before she could stop him.
Hurry back. won't you. Jim? 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
a parting farewell. and she turned to-
ward the house with a troubled heart.
She had reached the lower step when
Strong and Elyerson approached her
from the direction OF the church.
"Was that Teller here To take you
back to the circusT demanded Strong.
She opened her lips to reply. but be-
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
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