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

vAea she convinced herself that -
Vas not on the grounds.
There was method in Colonel
Grand's aloofneas. He held on reoo-
lutely. with almost Satanic cruelty.
while Thomas BraAdock and tie
weather brought the show TO the last
stages Of desperation. At the psyche
logical moment he would present him
self and exact his pound Of hesh.
Christine's attitude toward her IA
ther changed forever on the night Of
David's luckIess appeal. She had the
whole story Of her mothers life b.
fore she vent to bed that night. From
that unhappy hour Of truth she gave
Ill OF her love to the abused gentle
woman whose willfulness and folly
had resulted In her own appearance
In the world. She was NO longer the
gay. sprightly creature he had known
at arst Now she lived we'll within
hersslf. . curb on her spirits that SCI
dom relaxed except when she was
happily alone With her mother and
David.
There was NO mistakins David's at-
tttude toward this dainty. bsw1tchinS
oomrads Of those trosblssome. try
ing days. The whole company saw
and was delighted. "Jacky." said Josy
ono evening. II see how It il with
you now: but 10 1t going to endure!
Don't blush. my lad. and don't Aare
up. We all know you're terrible took
with 'sr. IT'S nothing to be ashamed
OF. Wot I'm going to say 10 this:
She's . pu6sct child yet and you are
still . schoolboy. Are you going to
be man enough when you gets older
and more mature-like to stick by this
ere puppy love that means 10 much
to 'er now! Are you going to love
'er anus. Just - l dessay you'll md
she will DO BY your"
"But-but. Joey" stammered David
in confusion-"she doesn't care for me
In that way"
Joey closed one eye and pu6ed
thrice at his pipe.
"Jacky. It's not to your credit ~ .
gentleman to be 20 blooming stupid"
She's 20 very young" murmured
David.
well. love grows up. my lad. Just
the same - folks does" said the old
clown wisely.
Tiff thought she'd love me when
she's old enough to"
you mean by that that you'd 20
20 far a. to marry err"
David flushed. Then his eyes
flashed with resentment: see here,
Joey. that's not the way to speak Of
her. Shes = lady. She's not a.
He checked himself suddenly.
''Virginians are very Ugh and Nigh
ty pussons. I've been told" said Joey,
leading him on with considerable ad-
roitness.
Perhaps you have also been told
that we require NO lessons in chival-
ry," announced David. somewhat
ponpously.
Joey chuckled softly. Don't get
'uffy. Jacky. Let's get back to the
fust subject. 'Ow is 1t going to be
with you two when you've really
growed up? You're a couple of babes
in the woods just now"
David was silent for 4 moment.
Then he faced the old clown proudly.
She's perfect, Joey; she's wonderful
expect to love her always. When
she's old enough l am going to ask
her to be my wife"
Provided you escape the gallows,"
remarked Joey sententiously.
Yes" said the boy, setting his Jaw.
but turning very white. But she
knows l am innocent. Even though
I should always live under this shad-
ow and under another name I would
not feel that was doing her a wrong
in asking her to share my lot with
me. Nothing could be worse than
what she has to bear now; but. Joey"
he concluded firmly. Il am going to
clear my name as sure as live"
The old clown nodded his head,
eyed his protege furtively and lovingly
and lapsed into silence. For q long
time neither spoke. It was David
who broke the strain.
Joey, wonder II you know how
AASA SioAA AoVSo ASupy.
put the question tentatively.
II do" responded Joey promptly.
He loves her 50 much and SO hon
estly that he WORT tell 'er about it"
Il feel very sorry for him"
so do l. He's often told me that
he's mad in love with 'er. But he
says she can't haf-afford to ave any
thing to do with pickpocket. He
says it wouldn't be right. So he's
just going on loving 'er and saying
nothing. That's the way it'll be to the
end"
And Ruby?"
well. she knows 'ov 1t is with i'm.
daresay that's why she's allus try
ing to get i'm to give up wot he's do
Ing now and go out west, where he
could begin all over again"
IF he did that would you let her
That's the question. my lad" in
terr,,pted Joey very aoherlv s'T don't