Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1911-12-01
"Dan's Father and Me Were chums."

Of a certain kind Of picture shows
that when they do come round they're
likely to make US lose our minds! You
know, yourself, q circus in a town
fifty miles from q railroad drives the
people crazy. Now, Dams a little like
the boy with his eyes on the hole in
the tent. He would commit murder
to get inside and see that show" He
nodded and smiled to her as though
he expected her to follow his crude
smile. Nov, ! have seen you a lot
of times" And she couldn't help re-
mindi1g him, Not Of your own ac'
cord, Mr.. Ruggles."
well, | don't know" he slowly adj
mitted; 81 always felt | had my nor.
ey's worth, and the night you ate with
us at the Carlton understood pretty
we'll how the boy with his eyes at
the tent hole would feel" But he
tapped his broad chest with the hand
that held the cigar between the first
and second fingers. 81 know just
what kind Of heart you've got, for
l waited at the stage door and know
you don't get all the applause inside
the Gaiety theater."
Goodness" she murmured, they
make an awful fuss about nothing"
Now" he continued, leaning for
ward a trife toward her languid, half
interested figure, Il Just want you ia
think Of him az a little boy. He's
only twenty-five. He knows nothing
of the world. The money you give to
the poor doesn't come 30 hard perhaps
as this will It's big sacrifice, but
] want you to let the boy CO."
She smiled slightly. found her hand
kerchief, which was tucked up the cun
of her blouse. pressed the little BIZ
of linen to her lips as though to steady
them, then she asked abruptly:
What has he said to you"
Lord" Ruggles groaned. Said t.
me! My dear young lady, he is much
too rude to speak. Dan sort Of
breathes and snorts around like q
lunatic. He was dangling around that
duchess when l was here before, but
she didn't scare me any"
And Lefty Lane, now smiling al
him, relieved by his break from z
more intense tone, asked:
Now, you are scared?"
WELL" Ruggles drawled, 81 was
pretty sure that woman didn't care
anything for the boy. Are you hel
kind"
1t was the best stroke he had made
She almost sprang up from her chair
Heavens" she exclaimed, 81 guess
I'm mott" Her face flushed.
81 had rather see a son Of mine
dead than married to a woman like
that" he said.
why, Mr.. Ruggles," she exclaimed
passionately, addressing him with in
terest for the first time, what do you
know about me? What? What? You
have seen me dance and heard me
sing"
And he interrupted her.
"Ten times, and you are a bully
dancer and a bully singer, but you do
other things than dance and sing
There is not a man living that would
want to have his mother dress that
way"
She controlled a smile. Never
mind that. Peoples opinions are very
different about that sort Of thing. You
have seen me at dinner with your boy,
as you call him, and you can't say
that | did anything but ask him to
help the poor. / haven't led Dan on.
have tried to show him Just what
you are making me 60 through now.
II she acted well and danced well,
1t was hard for her to talk. She was
evidently under strong emotion and 1t
needed her control not to burst into
tears and lose her chance.
"of course, l know the things you
have heard. OF course, l know what
Is said about me"-and she stopped.
Rrggles didn't press her any fur.