The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-11-28
The Rose
In the Ring
BY GEORGE BARR MCUTCHEON
Copyrigh. 1910 by Dodd Mead q Co.
By GEORGE BARR M'CUTCHEON
Copyrish, 1910 by Dodd. Mead q Co.

erty trunk deiectcdly staring at the
ground when Christine returned from
the ring. Thunlers of applause had
told him when the act was over.
The girl came straight up 10 him. her
anxious gaze sweeping the Interior.
She was about to speak TO him. but
hurried to her dressing room. An in
slant later she was back. greatly agi-
tated. Where Is my mother" she
asked
''They won't away few minutes
ago" replied David az unconcernedly
as possible.
where? Where did they 90. Da-
vid?' she cried. her voice low with
alarm.
ITO the sidnshow, I think" prevari-
Gated he.
"She-she always cries when she
goes out with them together she mur-
INJURED piteously. "Oh. David. I'm so
worried. I don't know why. don't
know what 1t is that causes me 10 feel
this way"
He took her little hand between his
own. 1t Was trembling perceptibly.
Nothing ever can happen to your
mother. Christine nothing Please
don't worry. little girl. Colonel Grand
can't-won't do anything to hurt her
Yonr father won't let that happen. He
WON'T
David. am not so sure of That"
she said slowly. looking straicht into
his eyes and speaking almost in mon
otone. He started For n moment he
was speechless.
You must not say that. Christine"
he said
Il don't know why said It," she re-
sponded. ncrvously biting her neither
lip. Then she smiled. her white teeth
cleaning against the carmine. She'll
bc back presently, know. I'm so
sillyw
"Tou are very young. you have to ad-
init, after this display" he chided. She
left him.
Joe! Grinaldi came in a few minutes
later and took his protege OF to the
ring. with the assurance that "the
coast" was clenr All the rest of the
afternoon Davids heart ached with n
dull pain. He could hardly wait for
the time to come when he could re-
turn to the dressing tent At last he
raced from the ring. pursued by the in
flated bladder In the hand Of Joey Gri-
nnldi. their Joint mummery over for
the afternoon.
Christine was sitting on the trunk
that he had occupied 80 recently. Mrs.
Brnddock WIS nowhere in sight.
"David." she said slowly as he drew
up painting. they did not go to the
sideshow."
He was spared the necessity Of an
answer by the rrovidential return of
the girls mother. A glance showed
them both that she had been CRYING.
Christine spranC forward with n little
cry and slipped her nrm through her
mothers.
As they passed by David the moth
er's lips were moving painfully. He
heard her say. as il TO herself:
81 cannot-I will not endure It any
longer. I.canrot my child"
David stood before her the next in
stant. his face writhing with fury, his
hands clinched.
Isis there anything l can do, Mrs.
Braddock: Tell me. Can 1 do any
think for you:" he cried
She stared for moment as IL be-
wildered. Then her face lightened.
The tears sprang afresh to her eyes.
No. David" she said gently. there
is nothing you can do"
But if there should be anything l
can do he went on imp!oringly. She
shook her head and smiled.
AS soon rs he could change his
clothes David hurried out to the mcn-
agerie tent. For many minutes he
stood before the cage containing the
African gaZelle. fascinated by the nose
and eyes of the la"hrymose beast. He
| stared for a long time before becoming
aware that the animal was looking Mt
him just as intently from the other
| creature with the broad white muzzie
and limpid eyes was studying him with
ali the intentncSs of n human being.
An, uncanny feeling took possession Of
the hoy. He laughed nervonsl. half
expecting the solemn starer to smile
in return-witl, The smile of Colonel
Grand. But the dccr's eSes did not
| blink or wavcr. nor WAS there the
slightest deviation Of its melancholy
gaze.
A voice from behind addressed the
| lone spectator.
Attractive brute. isn't he:'
Colonel Grand was standing a few
feet away, gazing with 10 little inter
est at the occupant of the cage.
Young Jenison did not reply at once.