The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-11-07


and the butler did shut the door in 'er
fn,e. So she turned 'cr back on 'er IA
Tiers 'ome and went to the little one
Tom made for 'er in Baltimore. She
never even wrote to 'er father after
that. and she won't ever go back. no
matter wot 'appens. Not even II he
sends for and fOrcives 'er. ! believe.
She's stood 1t this long. she'll stick 1t
out. Mr. Portman got married right
enough. and | understand he's 'ad a
bad time of II ever since. Married a
reg'lar tartar.
We'll. In year Christine came. Aft
er IL couple of years they went to Eng
land and the continent. where Brad
rode for several seasons very success
full. When Christine was seven. he In
sisted that she should work with i'm
in the ring. He 'ad is way. They
made sensation with Van Slye's show
and stuck to I'm for six years straight.
allus drawing good pay. Mary went
with item everywhere. never missing Il
performance. nllus scairt to death on
account Of the gal. think nearly all
Of the last FIVE years of her life ave
been spent In wishing that Tom would
fall of and break is own neck. hut he
in the kids. too. so she didn't know
wot to do. Then he got to drinking so
ard that he did fall of. 'urting imself
purity bad. After that he give It up,
buying share in Van Sye's show. and
letting Christine do 'er work with Tom
Sacks. Mrs. Braddock would give any
thing she's got in the world II she could
get Christine out of the business and
settled down In their own 'ome in Bal
timore. lust to show you wot drink
does for Brad. he pays Christine good
salary every week for riding and then
insists on taking 1t back SOS he can put
1t in the savings bank for 'er. He
spends every penny Of 1t for drink. and
he''-
"Sh" came in a warning hiss from
Ruby Noakes. Mrs. Braddock is COM
ing. dad MY. how white she is."
The proprietor's wife moved slowly.
even listlessly. Something vital had
gone ont Of her face. 1t seemed to Da-
vid, who knew her only us strong.
courageous defender. A wan smile
crept into her tired eyes rs she came
up to them and asked II she might
sit down at their board. The hand
she laid caressingly on Ruby's shoul-
der shook as If with ague.
"Jerk up a keester for Mrs. Brad
dock. Casey" cried old Joey with nlac-
rity. The contortonlst found small
trunk and placed 1t between Ruby
Noakes and David.
"Have you had your supper, Mrs.
Braddock?" asked Ruby.
II am not hungry" said the other
quietly. "a cup Of coffee. though. If
you have enough for me.
"And how is the new clown farlng?"
she asked the silent David.
every well. thank you." he replied.
"T have been very hungry, you know.
have never known food to taste SO
good"
T think It's started to sprinkle
again." ventured the contortionist
"Yes." she said. ut means another
wretched night for u.s." She turned to
Grlnaldi 1--WE have been obliged to
borrow more money. Joey"
"So?" he said. nodding his head
dumbIy.
"Five thousand dollars. IL signed
the note with Tom. Oh. If we could
only have spell Of good weather."
1t was wall of despair.
ITS hound to come" said the clown.
ut can't rain allus."
"Wonld my money he Of any service
to you?" asked David timidly.
"You dear boy. no." she cried warm-
ly. "You do not understand. This is
our affair. David. You are very. very
good. but She checked the words
resolutely. I'VE can lift the notes
handily IL the weather helps us just
little bit"
81 don't like that man." announced
the boy. his dark eyes cleaning.
The others couched uncomfortably.
Mrs. Braddock hesitated for second
and laid her hand on his.
HE is a very bad man. David" she
said
"Come on. Jacky." put in Grinaldi
hastily. i've got to rehearse you a
bit. You've got to learn 'ow to
tumble. AMI you've got to-
"Just a moment. Joey" said Mrs.
Braddock nervously. David. | can't
keep your money for you. Do you OBJ
ject to Mr.. Noakes taking it for awhile?
Until we can get to town where you
can deposit it In bank. 1t isn't safe
with me. r.
ut is safe with you" he cried
eagerly.
"No! II anything were 70 happen to
me you would never see 1t again.
he was struck bS the increased pallor
Of her face. "1ts quite safe with
Joey"
He waited a moment before reply
ing. II know that. Mrs. Braddock.
You may give it to him. But-but l