The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1913-01-02

and the skies we're clear. and all the
world seemed TO be singing with the
birds.
David had prepared Mrs. Braddock
and Christine: they looked for the col
onsl on the station platform as the
train rolled in. He was there. waiting.
a. II directed by Providence. At the
foot Of the steps which Mrs. Braddock
Was to descend. He had eyes for no
one until she appeared in the car door.
Then his ugly smile projected itself:
his silk hat came OF and he bowed
low. One knowing the innermost
workings Of Colonel Grands mind
would have understood the profound
nsas Of that bow. He was giving her
time to collect herself: he was. on his
own part. deliberately evadinE the
look Of repugnance he knew 10 well
would leap into her eyes at the hrst
glimpse Of him.
She did not see the hand he extend
ed. but with q cool nod OF her head
stepped unaided to the platform. An
other man would have felt the rebuke.
Colonel Grand. with the utmost defer
ence in his manner. quietly relieved
her Of her travelling bag. his hat still
In his hand. He sent . smile of greet
ing up to David and the angry eyed
Christine.
Bring Christine's bag. Jack" he
called out Il have . hack waiting on
the other side of the depot. II is too
muddy for walking"
Mary Braddock drew herself up. her
eyes flashed and her lips parted to re-
sent this easy proprietorship. But she
saw that q group Of performers were
staring at them In plain curiosity. She
closed her lips In plain determination
and walked of at his side. Close be-
hind her came her daughter and tho
young Virginian.
Joey Grinaldi addressed himself to
the little knot Of strollers.
"I never did see such q look as she
game im." said he. my eye! 1t was
. stinger. Take my word for 1t. shes
goin' to take the bit In 'er mouth
afore you know 1t and show that hy-
ena wot she's made OF"
| "Hyena. dad!" scoffed his daughter.
| He's not even that. He's a reptile"
We'll. he brought the sunshine.
said one Of the women half heartedly.
But it's still muddy" retorted Joey
with dogged pessimism.
Thomas Braddock, muddy unkempt
and sour, had managed to sleep on
some of the effects of the liquor he had
poured into himself the night before.
True to his word. he had Travelled by
wagon. The treasurer Of the circus
had seen to It that he was tossed like
a bundle Of rags into the ticketwagon'
there to roll and jostle from wall to
wall over twenty miles Of oblivion. He
was waiting at the show grounds for
the return of the street parade when
he saw his wife and Christine ap-
preaching, followed at some distance
by Colonel Grand and the faithful Da'
vid.
WELL" said he harshly as the wom-
en- came up to him. "you were too good
to travel as did. eh? Had to borrow
money to ride In palace cars. eh! Fine
thing for you to do. you two-setting
an example like that I suppose Bob
Grand put up for you. notice you
didn't mention his name to me. you
Christine and her mother had talked
long and earnestly together on the
train coming down. The girls cheeks
had burnt during that serious confer
ence, to which no outsider was ad-
mitted. Her mother had listened to
an eager, piteous appeal from the lips
of the girl. 1t was the cry of maid
en- who suddenly realizes that she 10
conscious Of a modesty heretofore dor
mant. Together they were now tax
ing up a very portentous question
with Thomas Braddock. with small
hope OF having him see the matter
from their point Of view.
Mary Braddock had no retort ready
for his ruffianly insinuation.
Are you too busy. Tom. to come
over to the cook tent with US for .
few moments? I want to speak very
seriously about something that has
been on my mind for some time
Colonel Grand and David were saun-
|
NAL tent.
why amt that loafer in the parade
where he belongs?" demanded BRAD
dock. glaring red eyed at the retreat
ing David.
"How should I know? AS Colonel
Grand. He appears to be giving d.
rections nowadays" said his wife bit
terly.
He turned after moment and leo
the way to the cook tent, wnlch was
always unoccupied at this time
There in sullen amazement he lis
tened to the plea Of his wife and
daughter. He ragged back at them as
they pleaded: he met Mary's calm, pa
tient arguments with sneers and bru-
tai laughter. he put stop to Chris
tines supplications with an oath that
har