The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-12-26

stand. He vas content to wait The
time would come when he could tell
her Of the love that Vas in his heart
But it was not to be thought Of now.
He walked between them. Carrying
Mrs. Braddock's handbag. Christine
refused to burden him With hers. A
they neared the business section of
the town-one OF the Ohio river towns
they encountered drunken nea and
merrymakers. Christine Hesvously
clutched David's arm. She came vosy
close to him. He was thrilled by the
contact
They were nearing tie hotsl when
David impulsively gave uttssaAee 70
the hungry cry that vas struggling In
his throat:
"Oh. Mrs. BraAdock. II I vses frse
to 90 back to Jenisoa hall! I eosld
ask you and Christine TO oo0e thees
and stay. You'd love II tAses. IT'S
the finest old place in"-
Why. David!" cried Mrs. BsaAAeek
in surprise.
Forgive me-" he cried ab5eetiy.
"Oh, l should love it, shoalA love
It, David" cried Christine In . low.
wistful voies. It seemed to him that
there was . strange. mysterious vail
at the back OF the words.
Mrs. Braddock uttered Q short. IT.
ter laugh. How good yos are. David.
What would your friends think II you
took circus people there to Visit youf"
He replied with grave dignity. NY
friends. Mrs. Braddoek. include the
circus people you mention. I An not
likely to forget that you took me In
and
And made . clown Of yoa." she
interrupted He was grstihed to go
. smile on her lips. The light from .
window shone in her face. Her eyes
were wet and glistening.
He held his tongue for . moment.
wavering between impulse and deli
cacy. His gave went to Christine's
half-averted face. Was she beginning
to suspect the real attitude Of Colonel
Bob Grand toward her mother? Was
1t something more than mere antipa-
thy that filled her heart!
"See here, Mrs. Braddock," he b.
gan hastily. I'm right young to b
saying this to you. but l want you to
know that am terribly distressed by
what has taken place in-in your life.
l know you hate Colonel Grand.
know he 10 q bad man. His new In
terest In this show IL the outgrowth
of an old one"
She started. Her eyes were full
upon his face.
you are not likely to know any
more peace or happiness here. Why
don't you give 1t up! Why don't you
leave the show? Why"
David" she said. laying her hand
on his arm. you don't know what you
are saying"
you could go back to your father"
he went on ruthlessly. II know It
would be all right. He would not"
She interrupted him quickly.
who has been talking to you Of
my affairs?"
He bit his lip. Why. I-well. Joey
Grinaldi. He is your best. truest
friend. He told me all" D,
Christine was leaning forward, peAf
ing past him at her mothers averted
face.
Mother" she said wonderingly,
what does he mean? Isn't-isn't
your father dead? What is 1t that
Joey Noakes has told you, David?"
Mrs. Braddock hesitated for a mo-
ment and then said to him, drear de-
spair in her voice:
Poor David! You don't know what
you have done. No, Christine, my IA
ther is not dead. Be patient, my dar.
ling. will tell you all there is to
tell"
'::fonight?" half whispered Chris
tine, moved by the horrid fear that
there was some dark secret in her
life which was to put a barrier be-
tween him and her forever.
Yes, my dear"
The circus encountered vile weather
from that time on. Day after day,
night after night, during the last two
weeks in June there was rain, with
raw winds that chilled and depressed
the strollers. The route Of the show
ran through the Ohio river valley or.
dinarily profitable territory at that
time Of the year. July would see the
show we'll started for the northern
circuit, where the floods were less
troublesome and the weather bade fair
to turn favorable. So bad were the
floods In one particular region that
the concern was obliged to cancel
dates in three towns, lying idle in
God-forsaken river place for two
wretched days and travelling as if nur.
sued by devils on the third. The
horses, overworked and half starved.
obtained much needed rest. Per-
formers and employees alike grew
taciturn and absorbed in speculation
as to the immediate future. No ono
believed that the show could continre
against such distressing odds. At no
| performance were the receints b,,e