Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-11-16

in 'er face if she ever come to the 'ouse
They went up to ask for forgiveness,
and the butler did shut the door in 'er
face. So she turned 'er back on 'er ia
theirs 'ome and went to the little one
Tom made for 'er in Baltimore She
never even wrote to 'er father after
that, and she won't ever go back, no
matter wot 'appens. Not even if he
sends for and forgives 'er, 1 believe.
She's stood it this long, she'll stick it
out. Mr.. Portman got married right
enough, and 1 understand he's 'ad
bad time of 1t ever since Married
regular tartar.
well. in year Christine came. Aft
er couple of years they went to Eng
land and the continent, where Brad
rode for several seasons very success
full. When Christine was seven, he in
sisted that she should work with i'm
in the ring He 'ad is way. They
made a sensation with Van Slye's show
and stuck to i'm for six years straight,
allus drawing good pay. Mary went
with them everywhere, never missing
performance, allus scairt to death on
account of the gal. 1 think nearly all
of the last five years of her life ave
been spent in wishing that Tom would
couldn't do 1t very well without break
in the kids, too, so she didn't know
wot to do. Then he got to drinking so
ard that he did fall off, 'urting imself
purity bad. After that he give it up,
buying a share in Van Slye's show, and
letting Christine do 'er work with Tom
Sacks. Mrs. Braddock would give any
thing she's got in the world if she could
get Christine out of the business and
settled down in their own 'ome in Bal
tmore. Just to show you wot drink
does for Brad, he pays Christine a good
salary every week for riding and then
insists on taking it back SOS he can put
it in the savings bank for er He
spends every penny of it for drink, and
he
Ssh" came in a warning hiss from
Ruby Noakes. Mrs. Braddocll is COM
ing, dad. My, how white she Is
The proprietor's wife moved slowly,
even listlessly. Something vital had
gone out of her face, 1t seemed to Da-
vid, who knew her only as a strong,
courageous defender. A wan smile
crept into her tired eyes as she came
up to them and asked If she might
sit down at their board. The hand
she laid caressingly on Ruby's Shout
der shook as If with ague.
Jerk up a keester for Mrs. Brad
dock, Casey" cried old Joey with alac-
rity. The contortionist found a small
trunk and placed it between Ruby
Noakes and David.
Have you had your supper, Mrs.
Braddock?'' asked Ruby.
81 am not hungry" said the other
quietly "a cup of coffee, though, if
you have enough for me.
And how is the new clown faring?"
she asked the silent David.
very well, thank you" he replied.
'1 have been very hungry, you know.
have never known food to taste so
good
ct think it's started to sprinkle
again." ventured the contortionist.
Yes" she said at means another
wretched night for u.s.. She turned to
Grinaldf eve have been obliged to
borrow more money, joey"
"So?" he said. nodding his head
dumbly.
Five thousand dollars. II signed
the note with Tom oh. if we could
only have a spell of good weather."
1t was a wall of despair.
Its bound TO come,'' said the clown.
'It can't rain allus."
would my money be of any service
to you?" asked David timidly.
"You dear boy, nor she cried warm
ly. ''You do not understand. This is
our affair. David. You are very, very
good. but She checked the words
resolutely 1--WE can lift the notes
handily if the weather helps US just a
little bit"
ct don't like that man. announced
the boy. his dark eyes cleaning.
The others coughed uncomfortably.
Mrs. Braddock hesitated for a second
and laid her hand on his. !.
HE is a very bad man, David" she
said
Come on. Jacky,'' put in Grinaldi
hastily. 1--WE got to rehearse you
bit You've got to learn 'ow to
tumble, and you've got to-
"Just a moment joey" said Mrs.
Braddock nervously. David, l can't
keep your money for you Do you OBJ
ject to Mr.. Noakes taking 1t for awhile :?
Until we can get to a town where you
can deposit it in a bank 1t isn't safe
with me- r.
TT is safe with you" he cried
eagerly.
mo. If anything were to happen to
me you would never see 1T again
He was struck by the increased pallor
of her face ITS quite safe with
Joey"
He waited a moment before reply