Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1910-04-28
POLLY
Of the
CIRCUS
By MARGARET MAYO
Copyright. 1908. By I'D Mod and
CenpAay
D. NARGAREy MAYO

self upon his good fortune when he all
but collided with flying apparition,
vanishing in the direction Of the main
tent. Sophisticated eyes would have
seen only a rather stout acrobat clad
In pink tights. but EMERSON was not
sophisticated. and he teetered after the
fitting angel, even unto the forbidden
portals Of the big top.
He was peeping through the curtains
which had fallen behind her and was
getting his first glimpse Of the great
sawdust world beyond when one Of
the clowns dashed from the dressing
tent on his way to the ring.
The clown was late. He saw the
limp coattails Of the deacon, who was
three-quarters in the tent. Here was
a chance to make a funny entrance.
He grabbed the unsuspecting little man
from the rear. The terrified deacon
struck out blindly in all directions, his
black arms and legs moving like cen.
tiped's, but the clown held him firmly
by the back and thrust him headfore-
most into the tent.
Strong returned almost Immediately
from his unsuccessful search for the
pastor. He looked about the lot for
EMERSON.
"Hey, there, Elversonw he called
Justify. There was no response.
Nov, where's he got TOT" grumbled
Strong. He disappeared quickly around
the corner of the dressing tent, re-
solved to keep a sharp lookout for
Douglas.
Elverson was thrust from the tent
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 blokew roared
Barker, and Elverson got"
No one had remembered to tell the
groom that Polly 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 when 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; "we'll
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 . moment she
glanced at the dark Church steeple;
then she turned to go inside the tent.
A deep. familiar voice stopped her.
"Pollyw
She turned quickly. She could not
answer. Douglas came toward her.
He gazed at her I'm 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"
he stammered. He was uncertain
what he was saying. il did not matter
he was there with her.
when you're In 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 halting way in which
their words came.
you're all rightr he went on.
you're happyY'
"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 see
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, PollyT He studied her anxiously
why. no. Of course not" she said
evasively.
"And you'll be quite frank when
ask you somethingY'
Eyes. OF course" She was growing