Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-11-16
The Rose
In the Ring
By GEORGE BARR M'CUTCHEON
Copyright 1910 by Dodd Mead q Co
By GEORGE BARR M'CUTCHEON
Copyright 1910 by Dodd. Mead @ Co.

need any of it. or all of ft-for your
self or Christine-you are more than
welcome to it,
Her eyes were flooded. Thank you,
David" she said softly. Then she
quickly withdrew the fat purse from
the bosom of her dress and handed it
to Joey, with a cautious look in all d.
rections.
The clown put 1T in his inside peck
ct without word.
You must deposit it In a bank at
N" she went on hurriedly. '.All
but an amount sufficient to help you
if you are obliged to suddenly fly from
arrest You understand? Joey will
attend to it for you. You may depend
on him and Casey to stand by you. In
a few days we will be in Ohio. The
danger will be small after that, Day
L mean, Jack Snipe. II have worried
about this money ever since-well,
ever since last night. Perhaps, my
boy, it Is your entire fortune. Who
knows? The Jenison estate seems lost
to you. cruelty enough I am so very
sorry"
Il only want to think that none of
you believe 1 committed the crime
am accused off, said David simply.
I'VE are not accusers" she said
gravely.
Where is Brad?" demanded Girl
naldi, his patience and diplomacy ex-
hausted.
at the hotel,' she answered, as If that
explained everything.
Talking business. 1 suppose" he
said sarcastically.
Yes, they are settling certain de-
tails" She spoke in such way that
Joey looked up in alarm.
You don't mean to say you are
you are going to-
mo. not that, my friend" she said.
quite calmnly.
II didn't think So" said joey fer
vently.
Mrs. Braddock arose abruptly.
Il must go to Christine. VIII you
come, Ruby?"
Ruby followed her out of the tent.
father as she left the improvised table.
''Come on, Jacky," said Joey. "Strip
them clothes off and get to work
You've got a lot to learn"
David, somewhat depressed and very
thoughtful. got into a portion of his
clowns dress under the direction of
his instructor, who was unusually
cross and taciturn
As they started for the deserted ring,
Joey took the boys arm and said,
with a diffidence that was almost pa
thetic:
"Jacky, II want you to be nice to
my gal. She's never lad no chance to
associate with a real toff 1t amt 'er
fault, poor gal; it's the life we lead.
These ere circus people are as good
as gold, JaclSy. I'm not complaining
about that. But they amt just exactly
wot want my gal to grow up like.
Not but wot she's growed up already
so far as size is concerned But she's
not quite eighteen. She's been in the
show business since she was two Her
mother and 'er grandmother afore 'er
too The business amt wot 1T used
to be. I want 'er to get out of it. I
don't want 'er marrying some wuthless
'Kinker' or even a decent JOY Mrs.
Braddock as done worlds for 'er. mind
you, but it's the men she's associated
with that 1 objects to. They're
they're too much like me. That's wot
I mean. Jacky. Would you mind just
conversing with 'er friendly like from
time to time? Just give 'er a touch
of wot n real gentleman is. sir. 1t
amt asking too much of you, is it,
Dav@Jacky? I amt ashamed to ask
it of you. and II kind of hoped you
wouldn't be ashamed to 'elp tone FER
up bit. in a way. She's more like 'er
mother than she is like me- And FER
mother was as fine a Columbine as
ever lived, she was that refined and
steadfast."
David gave his promise. strangely
touched by this second appeal to the
birthright that placed him. though
helpless and dependent on a plane so
far above that of his present associ-
ates that even the most scornful of
them felt the distinction
David's first week with the show
was a trying one In the first place,
he was kept so carefully under cover.
literally as well as figuratively, that
he seldom saw the light of day except
at dawn or through the space between
side wall and top. At night he rode
over rough muddy roads in the ia
bleau wagon. stiff and sore from the
violent exercise OF the day-for he was
training in earnest to become a clown
Throughout the forlorn. diSquieting
days he stayed close to the dressing
tent always In dread of the moment
when Blake or some other minion of
the law would clap him on the Shout
der and end the agony of suspense.
At last, after five days, Blake gave
it up and turned back to Virginia.