The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-09
CHAPTER XIV.
Near the Sky.

mos rian' aSSoiuinB 10 appointment,
before the Snake Den. From her
hands she had removed the color OF
Italy. and from her body. the gilt
tering raiment OF La Confetti.
Fran came up 10 the young man
from out the crowded street, all
Quivering excitement In contrast
with the pulsing life that ceaselessly
changed her face. as from reflections
OF dancing light-points, his com
posture showed almost grotesque.
Here ! am" she painted. shooting
Quizzical glance at his face, ARE
you ready for me? Come on, then,
and I'll show you the very place for
us."
Abbott inquired serenely, Down
there In the DEM"
Fran scrutinized him anew, always
wondering how he had taken the
lions. What she saw did not alarm
her.
'No," she returned. mot In the
Den. You're no Daniel, IL am a
Charmer. No dens for u.s."
"Nor lion-cages? inquired Abbott.
still inscrutable; never AGAIN."
Never again." came her response;
II was a promise.
As they made their way through
the noisy "city square" she kept on
wondering. Since his face revealed
nothing, his disapproval. at any rate,
was not so great as to be beyond con-
troll. Lid that signify that he did not
feel enough for her really to carer
Better for him to be angry about the
show, than not to care.
Fran stopped before the Ferris
Wheel.
Lets take a ride" she said. lit
tie TREMENDOUSLY. Wont need tick
cts. Bill, stop the wheel; want TO
20 right up This is friend OF mine
Mr.. Ashton And Abbott, this is
an older friend than you-Mr. Bill
Smookins."
Mr.. Bill Smookins was an exceed
ingly hard-featured man, of no
recognizable age. Externally, he was
blue overalls and greasy tar.
Abbott grasped Bills hand, and In
Quired about business.
awful pore, sense Fran lef the
show" was the answer. accompanied
by q grin that threatened to cut the
weather beaten face wide open.
Fran beamed. "Mr Smookins
knew my mother-didn't you. Bill?
He was awful good to me when | was
kid Mr.. Smookins was Human
Nymph In those days. and he smoked
and talked, he did, right down under
the water-remember. Bill? That
was sure-enough water-oh, he's a
sure-enough Bill. let me tell you'll"
Bill intimated, as he slowed down
the engine, that the rheumatism he
had acquired under the water, was
sure-enough rheumatism-henc his
change OF occupation. 81 was strong
enough TO be a Human Nymph," he
explained, "but not endurable. No
body can't last many years as q HUI
man Nymph."
About indicated his companion
Here's one that'll last my time"
The wheel stopped. He and Fran
were barred into seat,
And now" Fran exclaimed. "it's
all ups and downs, Just like NOV
ing-picture Of life. Why don't you
say something, Mr.. Ashton? But no.
you can keep still-Pm excited to
death, and wouldn't hear you any
vay. want to do all the talking
always do, after I've been in the
cage. Ny brain is filled with air
40 this IA the time to be soaring up
into the sky. isn't It! What Is your
brain filled Without never mind.
Well be Just two balloons-my!
aren't you glad we haven't any
strings on us-suppose some people
had hoId,-I. for one. would be will
ing never TO go down again. Where
are the clouds?-Wish we could meet
a few. Down there on the solid
earth-oh, down there the first
things you meet are reasons for
things. and peoples opinions OF how
things look, and reports Of what folks
say. And UP here, there's nothing
hut the moon---isn't r. bright! See
how I'm trembling-always do, AFTER
the lions. Now, Abbott, I'll leave
small opening for just one word
"I'll steady you" said Abbott
briefly, and he took her hand. She
did not appear conscious OF his pro-
tecting clasp.
ct never see the moon so big she
went on, breathlessly, without
thinking Of that night when it rolled
along the pasture as II 1t wanted to
knock us of the foot-bridge for being
where we oughtn't. ! never could
understand why you would stay on
that bridge with a perfect stranger.
when you duty was to be usher at the
camp-meeting! You weren't usher
ing me, you know, you were holding
my hand-I mean. I was holding
your hand, as Miss Sapphire says |
shouldn't. What poor helpless man
AS I'm holding you now, presume!
But l laughed in meeting People
ought to go outdoors to smile. and
keep their religion in a house,
guess. I'm going to tell you why
laughed. for you've never guessed,
and you've always. been afraid to
ask"
Afraid of you, Franz"
Awfully, I'm going to show you
let go, so l can show you. No, I'm In
earnest-you can have me, after
wards. Remember that
evangelist? There he stood. waving
his hands--as I'm doing now--mov-
ing his arms with his eyes fastened
upon the congregaton-this way
look. Abbott"
Fran! As IL / were not already
looking"
'Look-just SO; not saying a
word-only waving this way and