The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-11-21
Dick produced the sapphire II was

n Iioau'eu tne saifNire- II was
most unusual in him TO carry the small
est part Of his gains on his person.
The circumstance struck Ernie at once
so you We're going to give it TO her"
snapped he
"She wouldn't take 1t II ! were fool
enough TO offer IT." said Dick quietly,
Dropping the ring Into his brothers
hand. It Immediately found new
resting place in The latter's pocket
MAYBE the other one will take 1t
from me-" he grinned.
You'd better not fry It. Braddock
would kick you to death"
Everybody wants to kick me-"
WhiHed the other. taking a new turn
But say. he didn't offer to kick me
last night when told bin she'd been
ont walking with that guy. ] see 'em
! seen 'em sneakinc in. I told Brad.
bet he raised thunder with EN-"
Dick was lool5inG out past the stand
III Tie direction of tho big tents.
I'm not so sure" he said dryly. 81
sec Brad and Christine and the guy
you mean talking over there by the en-
trance. They seem to be in special
ly good humor"
Ernie sprang forward. his eyes dnat-
Cd. lie stared for full minute with
out blinking. Then his grip on Dicks
arm suddenly relaxed
oh. God, how wish Y was straight
| and handsome Ike him. he cried bro
kcnlv.
Dick did not look down but he knew
that the tears were standing in the
| boys eyes.
Don't think about It, Ernie" he said
Ernie shook of his hand and angri
ly rubbed his eyes with his bony
knuck!es, He sobbed twice and then
burst forth in shrill TRADE OF abuse
Quiverlng with ungovernable rage, he
called Dick every vile name he could
lay his proficient tongue to.
Poor Dick offered up no word Of pro-
test no sign Of resentment When
Ernie stopped for sheer exhaustion. not
only of his lung power. but in the mat
ter OF epithcts, the tall martyr took
his hands out of his pockets, stretched
|
We're expected of him us a duty:
Well, the crowd is beginning to
gather at the ticket wagon. 1 guess
I'd better be strolling among 'em. Err
ME. So long"
Ernie looked up eagerly, his mood
changing like a fash.
Good luck, Dick" he said, his eyes
sparkling.
That same night Artful Dick Cronk
had long conversation with Thomas
Braddock. David was the principal
subject Of discussion. The airy scala
wag WAS not long in getting to the bot
tom of the fugttivs's history. SO far as
II could be obtained from the rather
disconnected utterances OF the con-
v.vial Thomas. They had come upon
each other in a barroom. but Dick had
succeeded in getting the Snowman
away from the place before he reached
the maudlin stage. The days business
had been good. Braddock was cheer
full, almost optimistic in consequence.
He vociferously thanked his lucky sun,
not his stars Convinced that this was
an uncommonly clever bit of para
phrasing, he repeated 1t Mt least a
dozen times with great unction, al
ways appending a careful explanation
30 that Dick would be sure to catch
the pointer, you might say, the twist.
III We only had sunshine like this" ,"
he announced with comprehensive
wave of his hand regardless Of the
fact that 1t was 10 O'Clock at night,
I'D clear a million dollars this season.
We've got nearly $500 In that tent
tonight, Dick. Twenty-one hundred on
the day. A week Of this beautiful sun
shine and we'd be doing $1,000 day.
I'd make old Barnum look like two
spot. Did you ever see more beautiful
sunshine. Dick? Now, did you?"
"Thats not the sun. Brad" said
Dick. removing his pipe from his lips.
That's a canvasman with a torch. "
They had arrived at the lot
Braddock swore mighty oath and
with jovial good humor chucked Dick
in the ribs, not very gently. it may be
supposed. Dick, with responsive good
humor, seized the opportunity to de-
liver a resounding thump on Brad
docks back, almost knocking the
breath out Of him.
SAY" demanded Dick Cronk, tell
ME something about this new clown
Of yours
Whereupon Braddock lowered his
voice and told him as much as he
knew of the story.
II don't believe he killed him." said
Dick at the end OF the story.
Neither do l." said Braddoch. But
1t won't hurt to let him think that
we're all still leetle bit doubtful
II heard all about the murder in
Staunton. The sheriff was trying to
head the kid off II he came through
that county. We were expectin' to sec
him landed IN jall any day. They had
bloodhounds after him. l hear" Dick
Cronk's body quivered in a sharp