Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1913-10-25


bition behind the bars. Anyway.
want you to talk about yourself. What
made you go away from town? But
that's not the worst; what made you
stay away? And what were you doing
of there wherever 1t was, while poor
little girls were wondering themselves
sick about you? But wait!-the
wheels going down-down-down
Good thing | have you TO hold
to--poor Miss Sapphire, she cans
come now! Listen at all the street
criers, getting closer, and the whistle
sounds wish we had whistles; the
squawky kind See my element, Alb
bott, the air I've breathed all my life
the carnival. Here we are, just above
the clouds of confetti. Now
we're riding through pretty
damp, these clouds are, don't YOU
think! Those ribbons OF electric
lights have been the real world to me
Abbott-they were home. No
Bill, we don't want to get out. We in
tend to ride until you take this wbee
to pieces. And oh. by the way. Bill
just stop this wheel, every once in
while, will you when we're up at the
very tiptop. All right-good-by."
And Abbott called gaily. "Good-by
Mr.. Smookins!"
I'm glad you die that, Abbott. 70,
think you're somebody, when some
body else THINKS so, too. Now we're
rising in the world" Fran was so ex
cited that she could not keep her bod!
from quivering. In spite Of this, sh'
fastened her eyes upon Abbott Il
ask, suddenly: 'Most'-what?"
Most adorable" Abbott answered
as IL he had been waiting for thu
prompting. Most precious. Most be
witchingiy sweet. Most unanswerabl,
and eternally-Fran!"
And you" she whispered.
"And l." he told her, "am nothin!
but most wanting-to-be-loved."
It's SO queer" Fran said, plaintive
ly. you know, Abbott. how loni
you've fought against me. You know
it, and l don't blame you. not in til,
least. There's nothing about me t
make people. But even now
how can you think you understand me
when l don't understand myself"
Il don't" he said. promptly. CIV,
given up trying TO understand you
Since then. I've just loved. That
easy"
What will people think of super
intendent of public schools caring TO
a show-girl, even II she Is Fran Non
pareil. How would it affect your ca
reer?"
But you have promised never agail
to engage in a show, so you are not
show girl
What about my mother who liveC
and died as q lion-tamer? What viii
you do about my life-history? I'd new
er speak TO a man who could fee
ashamed of my mother. What abou
my father who has never publicl,
acknowledged me? I'd not want t.
have anything to do with a man who
who could be proud Of him"
"As to the past, Fran, l have onl!
this to say: Whatever hardships /
contained, whatever wrongs or wretch
edness-it evolved you, you, the Frar
of today-the Fran OF this Twins
hour. And it's the Fran of this living
hour that | want to marry?"
Fran covered her face with hel
hands. For a while there was silence
then she said:
Father was there, tonight"
AT the lion-show? Impossible! Mr.
Gregory go to a-a-to-a-"
Yes, ii is possible for him even tC
go TO a show. But to do him justice
he was forced under the tent, he haC
no iStention OF doing anything sc
wicked as that, he only meant 10 dC
some little thing like running away
But no, can't speak of him with bit
terness, now. Abbott. he seems al
changed"
Abbott murmured. as if stupefed
Mr.. Gregory at show"
Yes, and a lion-show. When IL was
over he came to me-he was 90 ex
cited"
$50 was l." spoke up the other
rather"
you didn't show il. | though
maybe YOU wouldn't care IL had beer
eaten up. No. no, listen HI
wanted TO claim me--he called m,
daughter right there before the PEG
pie. but they thought Is was just a sor
of-of church name. But he was won
derfully moved. ! left the tent witt
him, and we had long talk cam.
from him TO you. | never saw any
body so changed"
But why?"
YOU see, he thought was going t.
be killed right there before his eyes
and seeing II with his very own eye.
made him feel responsible. He TOLD
me, afterwards, that when no fount
out who it was in the cage. he though
OF mother in different wayne saw
how his desertion had driven her t.
earning her living with showmen, so