Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-10-19

Boots. approached. her eyes cleaning
with excitement.
Where is that boy?'' she asked. look
ing about in some anxiety. Father
you should see him. He is so different
from the boys who follow
I'VE were just talking about him."
interrupted her father shortly. Hes
wanted by the police. so you see he
amt so different from the rest after
all. He's a.
Don't. ToIn.'' cried his wife
Ia murderer. completed Braddock,
rolling his cigar from one side of his
mouth to the other
The girl stared at him for moment.
dumbly. uncomprehendingly Her lips
parted and her eyes grew very wide
He is the Jenison boy we We're talk
ing about last night. dearie,'' said Mrs
Braddock. Il don't believe he COM
mitted that horrid crime"
Il am sure he didn't am sure he
didn't" cried the girl impulsively- He
is gentleman. father He couldn't
Braddock hated to hear any one
spoken of as Il gentleman.
whats that got to do with it?'' he
demanded Gentleman. ELI? You two
seennto think that these pretty gentle
men can't do anything wrong. Why,
they're rottener than nine-tenths of
the blokes that follow this show, every
mothers son of EN- I'm sick of hav-
ing this gentleman business thrown
up to me- l suppose you think you're
better than the company you live with
Let me tell you this. you're show peo-
pie and nothin' more. 1 don't give
- who your people are; you're my
wife and my daughter, and that's all
/ IN I STA
] off,
Then he whirled about and snatched
aside the flap, calling to the group of
acrobats.
Come out. here. you! Step lively
l want to ask Il few questions. Where
the dev- Say, haven't you got out of
! that suit yet? Why, you little scuttle.
| I'll rip it off your back if you're not
| out of it in two minutes. Hold on.
| Come out here first
As Jenison walked past him the
| proprietor gave him violent cuff on
| the side of the head. The boy, weak
and faint, reeled away. His face con-
vulsed with rage. Even while his
head swan, he pulled himself together
for leap at the man who had struck
the wanton, unexpected blow.
Braddock was huge enough and
strong enough to crush the Infatuated
lad. but drink had made him coward
at heart. He stopped over and picked
up an iron ringed stake from the
! ground.
With little cry of terror his daugh-
ter sprang forward and frantically
clutched the mans arm. Her mother
was no less active in staying him with
resolute hands. The performers who
had followed David leaped in with
clinched fists. glaring hatefully at
their employer.
Don't, fatherr' cried the girl.
On him. he may have n gun"
exclaimed Braddock Hes used one
before"
..Why did you strike me?" cried
| David hoa sely
Jaw, none o. that now. none o.
thatr' snarled Braddock, taking a step
forward.
"Why did you strike meY' repeated
the boy duly.
-Calm yourself, my boy, Mrs.
Braddock kept repeating without rails
ing her voice, always low, tense, inn
polling.
The tears sprang to his eyes-tears
of rage and helplessness. With sob
he turned away and leaned his head
against the pole.
Mrs. Braddock was speaking quiet
ly, compassionately. I'VE must be
careful she said, mot to oppose him
too strongly. He is not really heart
less. 1t is only his way"
why did he strike me?' again fell
from the lips OF the fugitive
Grinaldi came hurrying in from the
ring. Behind him, peering over his
shoulder, was a black haired young
woman in pink tights and spangled
trunks. David was afterward to know
this handsome. black haired girl as
Ruby Noakes, the daughter of Grinal-
di. otherwise Joey Noakes. and known
to the gaping world as Mile. Roxane,
the Flying Queen of the Air.
Braddock saw at once that fhe old
clown was against him. With anaugly
impreca ton be directed one of the at
PENDANTS to go to the main entrance
with instructions to bring Mr.. Blake
and his friend back to the dressing tent
"We'1I see who's running this show
he declared, taking fresh grip on the
stake and rolling the dangling cigar
over and over between his teeth
"HoId on. Camp" said Grinaldf
checking the attendant with gesture.
'.See ere. Tom he went on earnestly,
ttwot's the reason you won't give this
one an even chance with the others?''
.Stand aside. Christie" Braddock
said to his trembling daughter. Don't