The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-12-26
FRAN

thing that wasn't the show. II was
kind OF friendly when began feeding
Samson"
Poor little Nonparen!" murmured
Abbott wistfully.
And often when the show was be
Ing unloaded. I'd be stretched out in
Jour sleeper, with a schoolbook press
ed close to the cinder-specked win.
dow, catching the first light When
the mauls were pounding away at the
ltent-pins. maybe I'd hunt seat on
some cage, IL II had been drawn up
under tree. or maybe it'd be the
lticket-wagon, or even the stake-pile-
there you'd see me studying away
for dear life, dressed In a plain lit
tie dress, trying TO look like ordinary
folks. Such a queer little chap,
was-and always trying TO pretend
that wasntl You'd have laughed
ito see me-"
| Laughed at you'll" cried Abbott In.
dignantly, Indeed / shouldn't"
Nor" exclaimed Fran, patting his
arm impulsively.
Dear little wonder!" he returned
conclusiyely. II must tell you about
one time" she continued gaily I'VE
were in New Orleans at the Mardi
Gras, and was expected to comre in
to the ring riding Samson-not the
vicious old lion, but the cub-that was
long after my days OF the drum and
the red coat, bless you! was a lion
tanner, now, nearly thirteen years old.
il you'll believe me. Well! And what
was l saylng-you keep looking so
friendly. you make me forget myself.
Goodness, Abbott. it's 50 much fun
talking TO you. live never mention
ed all that TO one soul in this town
1890, Well-oh, yes: | was TO have
come into the ring, riding Samson.
EVERYBODY was waiting for me. The
band nearly blew itself black in the
face And what do you think was
the natter"
! did Samson balk?"
mo, II wasn't that. | was lying
on the cage floor. with my head on
such a gorgeous and animated pill
low!-and was learning geology. I'd
| Just found out that the world wasn't
made in seven United States days,
and II was such surprising news that
I'd forgotten all about cages and lions
and tents-if you could have seen me
lying there-if you just could"
But l cam" Abbott declared.
Your long black hair is mingled with
his tawny name, and your cheeks are
blooming"
And my feet are crossed" cried
Fran.
..And your feet are crossed; and
those little hands hold up the book,
Abbott swiftly sketched in the de-
tails; and your bosom is rising and
alling, and your lips are parted-hke
now-showing perfect teeth"
Dressed In my tights and fluffy
lace and Jewels" Fran helped, with
bare arms and stars all in my hair
But the end came TO every
thing when-when mother died. Her
last words were about my father
how she hoped some day I'd meet
him, and tell him she had forgiven.
Mother sent me to her kalf-uncle.
Ny! but that was mighty unpleas-
anti" Fran shook her head vigorous
ly. He began telling me about how
mother had done wrong in marrying
secretly, and he threw 1t up TO me
and Just told him But he's
dead, now. had to go back to the
show-there wasn't any other place.
But a few months ago l was OF age,
and | came into Uncle Ephrair's
property, because / was the only Nv
ing relation he had, 30 he couldn't
help my getting 1t. TN bet he's mad,
now. that he didn't make a wal!
When he said that mother-it don't
matter what he said just walked
cut of his door, that time, with my
head up high like this On
goodness, we're hero"
They stood before Hamilton Greg
ory's silent house.
Good night" Fran said hastily.
Its q mistake to begin a long story
on a short road. N.Y. But wasn't
that short road, thought"
Sometime, you shall finish that
story. Fran. | know OF q road much
longer than the one we've taken-we
might try II some day, II you say So"
II do say SO. What road Is IT."
They had paused at the frort gate,
Fran in the yard, Abbott outside. Ii
was dark under the heavy sugar
naples that guarded the gate; they
could not see beyond each others
faces. Abbott felt strange, as II he
knew no more about what he might
do, or say, than II he had been an
other man. He had spoken OF a long
road without definite purpose, yet
there was glimmertng perception OF
the reality. as he showed by saying
TREMENDOUSLY:
This is the beginning OF it."
He bent down, as IL TO take her IN
his arms.
But Fran drew back perhaps with
q blush that the darkness concealed.
certainly with little laugh. I'm
afraid I'd get lost OIL that road she
murmured, "for | don't believe ycu
know the way very we'll, yourself"
She sped lightly 10 the house. I'M
locked the door, ard vanished.
CHAPTER XII.