Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-11-02
David Stays With the Circus.


81 How do you known" snarl-
ed Braddock Go and do
what l told you,'' to the wavering at
tendant
Mrs. Braddock and Christine were
standing beside the detected boy. the
former looking steadily at the face of
her husband. whose bloodshot eyes
would not meet her gaze. Christiue's
eyes were wide with the bewiIdered
stnre of an intelligence that has sud
denly beon aroused to new aspects
She was having a glimpse of a side
to her fathers character that had hev-
er been revealed to her before.
She put forth hand and drew Ruby
Nonkes close beside her. pressing her
hand tightly in actual alarm. The
Noakes girls arm went around the
slender figure. but she continued to
stare curiously at the face of the
stranger in their midst She was half
a head taller than Christine and at
least three years her senior.
I'VE ought to have new clown to
help out dad. Mr.. Braddock," ventured
Miss Noakes coolly.
Braddock stared at her.
whats that?'' he barked
Keep still Ruby" cautioned her
father. Ruby's lips parted quickly.
and then. thinking better OF 1t, she
closed them
David's face took on a queer. uncer-
tain expression while Braddock was
advancing his dire need of money as
an excuse for turning him over The
proprietor resumed his bitter haranGue
against the weather The boys face
began to clear. An eager. excited
CLEAN came into his eyes He looked
about him as II searching for some
sign OF confederation In the faces OF
the performers.
"1f he's innocent. he can prove IT."
argued Braddock stubbornly. THE
county pays the five hundred It's
nothing out of his pocket. Why the
devil shouldn't l get it?"
David had opened his lips two or
three times to utter the words that
surGed up from his anxious. despairing-
heart sense o. guilt and shame had
checked them on each occasion. What
ever it was that he felt impelled to
say, his honest pride rebelled against
the impulse
Now he lifted his head resolutely,
and addressed the proprietor. whose
stand appeared TO be immovabIe
Il will pay you the $780," said David
clearly.
Every eve was turned upon him,
every tongue was stilled-
The proprietor blinked unbelievins-
" Then he gdvc vent to a short,
derisive laugh.
you will. ~ill your
Il thought thai If it was only the
money. I could let you have it /
didn't meal to try TO buy you off,"
the boy explained hastily.
Are sou i'll earnest?" demanded
B-addock. curious glitter swimming
across his eyes c'Where are you 60
ing to get it?''
''I've got it with me-" said David.
feeling at his side look of dIsmay
spread over his face. 1t was quickly
dispelled by the recollection that his
own clothes wer@ lying in the mems
dressing room ITS in my vest" He
was back in moment carrying his
rainsoaked waistcoat With nervous
fingers he drew heavy pin from the
mouth of the inside pocket and ex-
uacted long leather purse tied with
a heavy piece of string.
David felt without seeing the look
that went through the crowd He
knew by some strange mental process
that they were concerning him. that
they were drawing AWAY from him
He was bewildered. Then suddenly he
understood Il came like blow
Something rushed up into his throat
and cnoked him They took this mon
ey to be the profits of murtier-tha
spoils of Il dreadful sin. Speechless
he turned to Mrs. Braddock There.
was no mistakin: the look of pain and
distress in her dark eyes There We're
doubt and wonder t..ere too
1t is my money-every cent of IT
II know what you are thinking You
think l stole it" His eyes were fash
ing. and his chin was held high now
I'll kill any one who says steal I'D