The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-11-28

Of linen. was garrulous to the point OF
noisiness. He confined his remarks to
the colonel. or, In a general way. to
the tables near by, with an occasional
furtive glance at his wife's set. un-
smiling face by way Of noting the ef-
feet on her. The topics were common
place enough: the weather, the pros
poets ahead. the improvements 10 be
ter.
Mrs. Braddock. who sat at the colo
ncrs left. WAS SO noticeably pale and
repressed that David wondered II she
would he able TO go to the end OF the
wretched travesty without fainting.
IIutterable despair hung over her
lowered eyelids: II stood out plainly in
the lines Mt the corners of her mouth.
Christine seldom looked up from her
plate. She sat next to David. He felt
the restraint and embarrassment un-
der which the girl suffered Her cheek
went red on more than one occasion
when her fathers coarse humor offend
ed her delicate sensibilities; she paled
under the veiled. inslDuating compli-
ments of the other. Once Davtd's
hand accidentally touched hers below
the edge Of the table. His strong an
gers Mt once closed over hers and for
many minutes he held them tight, un-
known to any but themselves
The ghastly meal drew to q close.
The colonel. leaning forward, was gnz-
ing through half closed lids at tho
profile of the woman beside him.
"Well. we Will have many Of these
Jolly little Spreads he was saying in
his olliest tones. BIRDS Of a feather,
YOU know. IIa. ha! That's rather q
clever way of putting 1t. en-. JackY'
Braddock laughed boisterously. He
had lighted cigar regardless Of the
walters polite announcement that
smoking was not allowed.
Yes, we will dine together frequent
went on the colonel, not even attempt
ing to conceal his shrug Of disgust for
Braddock. 81 nm leaving for home
tonight, but I expect to return In two
or three days. You must all Join
hands in breaking me into the. circus
it you call it? A rube, that's It. Well
he the shows happy family. Every
circus has happy family Yes, 'pon
my soul. like the life. | enjoy these
quiet. impromptu little suppers."
David was suddenly conscious that
Bradhock's eyes were upon him He
met the gaze, curiously impelled. The
mans face was almost purple; the
look in his ewes was not Of anger. but
OF n shame that sprang from what
little there was Of manhood left in
him. Rraddock looked away quickly
and mn instant later announced that 1t
was time to get back to the ''lot"
In front of the restaurant they came
upon Artful Dick Cronk. The pick
pocket made no attempt to speak to
them, but when his eye caught David's
he closed 1t slowly In a very express
sive wink.
Braddock hurried on ahead. explain
ing that he wns obliged to look after
something Mt the grounds.
"Ill look after them" said the colo
mel affably. with Jacks assistance" !"
he supplemented. Christine clutched
her mothers arm. The colonel and
David dropped behind. for the narrow
sidewalk was crowded. In this fash
ion they made their way to the show
grounds. Mrs. Brnddock and Christine
did not once look behind. Colonel
Grand chatted amiably with his young
companion. but never for an instant
was his gaze diverted from the
straight. proud figure of the woman
ahead.
He entered the dressing tent with
them. There he quietly said goodby
to the three Of them. The tears of In
diSnation were still standing in Chris
tines eyes. He willfully misinterpret-
cd their Significance. A hateful ten