Putnam patriot., 1913-05-30

continued gally. We were in New Orleans at the Mardi Gras. and I was expected to come into the ring riding Samson-not the vicious old lion, but cub-that was long after my days of the drum and the red coat, bless you! l was & lion-tamer. now, nearly thir- teen years old. if you'll believe me- We'll! And what was 1 saying-you keep looking so friendly, you make me forget myself. Goodness. Abbott, it's so much fun talking to you ., I've never mentioned all this to one, soul in this town Well-oh. yes; was to have come into the ring. riding Samson. Everybody was wait, ing for me. The band nearly blew it. self black in the face. And what do you think was the matter?"
 Did Samson balk?"
 No, 1t wasn't that. I was lying on the cage floor, with my head on Sam son-Samson the Second made such a gorgeous and animated pillowi-and I was learning geology. I'd just found. out that the world wasn't made in sev- en United States days, and it was such surprising news that I'd forgot ten all about cages and lions and tents If you could have seen me lying there-if you just could!"
 But I can!" Abbott declared. Your long black hair is mingled with his tawny mane, and your cheeks are blooming"
 And my feet are crossed" cried Fran.
 And your feet are crossed; and those little hands hold up the book. Abbott swiftly sketched in the details; "and your bosom Is rising and falling. and your lips are parted-like now showing perfect teeth" !
 Dressed in my tights and fiuffy lace and jewels" Fran helped. with bare arms and stars all in my hair .. But the end came to everything when when mother died. Her last words were about my father-how she hoped some day I'd meet him, and tell him she had forgiven. Mother sent me to, her half-unole. Myi but that was mighty unpleasant" Fran shook her head vigorously. He began telling me about how mother had done wrong in marrying secretly, and he threw 1t up to me and I just told him .. But he's dead. now. I had to go back to the show-there wasn't any other place. But few months ago was of age, and I came Into Uncle Ephraim's property because l was the only liv- ing relation he had, so he couldn't help my getting it. I'll bet he's mad, now, that he didn't make a will! When he said that mother-it don't matter what he said-I just walked out of his door, that time. with my head up high like, this Oh, goodness, we're here"
 They stood before Hamilton Greg org's silent house.
 Good night" Fran said hastily. It's a mistake to begin long story on short road My! But wasn't that a short road, thought"
 Sometime, you shall finish that story, Fran. l know of road much longer than the one we've taken-we might try 1t some day. if you say so." [
 "I do say so. What road is it?" !
 Abbott had spoken of a long road without definite purpose, yet there was glimmering perception of the reality. ns he showed by saying tremulously: l
 "This is the beginning of It.
 He bent down. as if to take her in his arms.
 But Fran drew back. perhaps with . blush that the darkness concealed, cer- tainly with little laugh. Pm afraid I'd get lost on that road" she mur- mured, flor l don't believe you know the way very well, yourself"
 She sped lightly to the house, un- locked the door, and vanished.