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

yol don't want me around any more
Maybe you'll take this Jacky boy in
with you"
Nov Is the time for me to use
some of my money" said David. hast
ening to Mrs. Braddock's side. III
get back what Joey and Casey have.
You shall not travel in those wagons
protest against II. The rest OF the
performers haze some of their wages
left They can tide over these baA
tines. But you have nothing. Yos
are at his mercy. Don't say no. AFs-
Braddock. I mean to do It,"
He had his way. Joey and Casey
and Ruby produced. among them.
nearly 400 OF his precious doalafs-
The generous boy promptly put tAs
entire amount In Mrs. Bfad6ock's
hands.
1T 10 . Ioan.- shs musmured.
Certainly" 10 aaA ersvely.
ruby. you viii % with us." sAs
went on. my husband must b naAs
to understand that ve arc TO thank
you and Joey for this bit Of luxusy.-
Joey Grinaldi sought out Braddoek
and told him Of his ssterminatioa =
share his little store of savings vtth
Mrs. Braddock and Christine. These
was Q scene, but the clown stood 10
ground.
II suppose l can sleep in ths gat-
ter" raved Braddock.
II don't give 'sns whore you slesot
Tom Braddock." shouted Josy.
where's that Snipe kid?" demand
cd the other.
Hes to stay with me-" said Josy.
The little sneak-he could save %
lot Of trouble II he'd thaw out and
hand over some Of the money he's
hiding. I'm going to have 1t out with
him. He can't stay on here and LETT
Il wouldn't talk 70 much, Brad. Bet
ter keep . close tongue in that cad
OF yours" said the clown meaningly.
Braddock changed his tactics. IT
Dick Cronk was only here could Dor
row enough from him to get . place
to Sleep" he Erowled petulantly. But.
curse him. he haSn't been near us
since that Job in Granville ten daya
ago"
When Joey left him he was cursing
everything and everybody. On tho
way to the hotel Christine and David
walked together. She chung very
tightly to his arm. Leaving the
grounds. she had whispered in his
ear:
David. adore you'll Just adore
you"
I'D die for you. Christine. That's
how feel toward you," he responded
passionately.
A sweet shyness fell upon her. The
chrysalis of girlish ignorance was
dropping away. She was being ex-
posed to herself in q new and glowing
form. Something sweet and strange
and grateful flashed hot in her blood:
the glow of it amazed and bewildered
her
"Oh. David" she nrurmured timor-
ously.
MY little Christine" he breathed,
laying his hand upon hers. She
sighed. her red lips parted in the soft.
luxurious ecstasy of discovery; che
breathed Of curiously light and buoy
ant atmosphere; she was walking ON
air. Little bells tinkled softly. but
she knew not whence came the mys-
terious sound
Far ahead hurried the others. driven
to haste by low rumbles Of thunder
and the warning splashes of rain
drops. David and Christine loitered
or the way.
by a deafening roar Of thunder in the
angry sky, brought them back to
earth. The raindrops began to beat
against their faces. Sharp, hysterical
laughter rose to their lips, and they
set out on run for the still distant
hotel. The deluge came Just as they
reached the shelter of friendly avn
ing in front of grocery store.
Life with the circus had made her
quite impervious to the crash of thun-
der. David was the more nervous.
His arm was about her shoulders;
her firm. slender body was drawn
close to his. His clasp frightened as
the timidity of inexperience gave way
to confidence; an amazing sense Of
conquest, Of possession took hold Of
him. He could have shouted defiance
to the storm. He held her! This
beautiful. warm, alive creature be-
longed to him!
Are you afraid, dearest?" he called,
his lips close to her ear.
MOT bit, David!" she cried rap
turously. Il love it. Isn't it wonder
ful?"
She turned her head on his shoul-
| der. His lips swept her cheek. Be-
fore either Of them knew what had
happened their lips meta frightened,
hasty. timorous kiss that was not
even prophetic OF the Joys that were
to grow out of 1t.
oh, David. you must not do that"
cried the very maiden in her.