Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-10-17


powder, her 1.-THE body clad In a prinl,
navy blue frock, the skirt Of which
came below the tops of her high Mced
boots, approached, her eyes cleaning
with excitement.
Where Is that boy? p she asked. look
ing about In some anxiety Father
you should see him. He Is 80 different
from the boys who follow
I'VE were just talking about him. "
Interrupted her father shortly. Hes
wanted by the police, 90 you see no
amt so different from the rest after
all. He's a.
Don't, Tom.'' cried his wife
) ia murderer" completed Braddock,
rolling his cigar from one side Of hio
mouth to the other.
The girl stared at him for moment,
dumbiy, uncomprehendingly. Her lips
parted and her eyes grew very wide.
He is the Jenison boy we were talk
Ing about last night. dearie." said Mr..
Braddock. II don't believe b COM
mitted that horrid crime
Il am sure he didn't am suro he
didn't" cried the girl impulsively "Hs
Is gentleman. father. He couldn't''
Braddock hated to hear any one
spoken Of as gentleman.
What's that got to do with itr' DO
demanded Gentleman. ehi You two
seem to think that these pretty gentle
men can't do anything wrong. Why,
they're rottener than nine-t enths o1
the blokes that follow thia show. every
mothers son Of 'em. I'm sick Of hAv-
ing this gentleman business thrown
up to me. suppose you think you're
better than the company you live with.
Let me tell you this. you're show peo-i
pie and nothin' moro. l don't give q
who your people are: you're my
wife and my daughter. and that's III
there Is to 1t. won't stand this sort
or
Then he whirled about and snatched
aside the dap. calling TO the group of1
acrobats.
"Come out here. you'll Step lively.
I want to ask few questions. Whore
the dew Say. haven't you got out Of /
that suit yet? Why. you little scuttls, !
Ill rip 1t on your back II you're not 1!
out Of It in two minutes. Hold on!
Come out here 6rst."
Az Jenison walked past him the
proprietor gave him violent cur on
the side Of the head. The boy. weak
and faint, reeled away. His face COM
vulsed with rage. Even while his
head swan, he pulled himself together
for leap at the man who had struck
the wanton. unexpected blow.
Braddock was huge enough and
strong enough to crush the Infatuated
lad but drink had made him coward
At heart He stopped over and picked
up an iron ringed stake from tho
ground.
With little cry Of terror his daugh-
ter sprang forward and fr1ntcaily
clutched the mans arm. Her mother
was no less active In staying him with
resolute hands. The performers who
had followed David leaped u with
clinched 6sts, glarfng hatefully at
their employer.
Don't, fatherr' cried the girl
= Oh him. he may have gun,s
exclaimed Braddock. He's used one
before"
why did you strike me7'' cried
David hoa sely
Jaw. none o that. now. none O.
that!'' snarled Braddock. taking step
forward
why did yon strike mey' repeated
the boy duly.
sCn1u, zoe, !.
Rraddock kept repeating without rails
Ing her voice. always low. tense. Inn
polling.
The tears sprane to his eyes tears
Of rHge and heIplessness With sob
he turned away and leaned his head
against the pole.
Mrs. Braddock was speaking quiet
~. compassionately. I'VE must b
careful" she said. mot to oppose him
too strongly. He ID not really heart
less. 1t 10 only his way"
"why did he strike meT' again fell
from the lips Of the fugitive.
Grtnaldi came hurrying In from the
ring. Behind him. peering over his
shoulder, was q black haired young
woman In pink tights ana spangled
trunks. David was afterward to know
this handsome. black haired girl a.
Ruby Noakes. the daughter Of Grinal-
di. otherwise joey Noakes. and known
to the gaping world AZ Mile. Roxana,
the Flying Queen Of the Air.
Braddock saw at once that the old
clown was against him. with an ugly
imprecation he directed one Of the At
tendants to go to the main entrance
with instructions to bring Mr.. Blako
and his friend back to the dressing tent.
well see who's running this shown
he declared. taking fresh grip on the
stake and rolling the dangling cigar
over and over between his teeth
Hold on. Camp" said Grinaldi,
checking the attendant with gesture.
'.See ere. Tom he went on earnestly.
'wot's the reason you won't give this
one an even chance with the othern?' r
Stand aside.s Christie Braddock
soid IA hic <rn,,a4,1Sner do,,wh&~p ssrN~.sA