The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-01-03

out OF the dressing tent. My mar
saw you"
TN knock of a couple Of hundred
II you'll tell me the name Of that
sneaking-"
You need the two hundred more
than l do, Brad" said Grand with in
finite sarcasm-and finality.
Well, I'm a Jonah in the show
business. guess it's the best thins
| a do to get out of it. You'll dc
the right thing by Mary and-and"-
he swallowed hard, casting a hall
glance at the other out of his bleary
eyes-"and the young 'un. They'll ge'
what's coming to them, Bob"
Certainly"
Il wouldn't sell out like this if-il
Mary had acted decent by me-" he
said, trying to justify his action. He
was congratulating himself hat he
had sold her out before she had the
chance to sell him out.
"Of course" said Bob Grand.
II am going to California" said
" ~ IduuCCh IOI lLt jllIu lllIIc uuT
ing the interview.
I've asked you not to mention that
fact to me, Braddock. You are sup
posed to stay with the show as man.
ager and overseer."
Ten minutes later after two men
had witnessed their signatures, the
document repos-d In Bob Grand's
p~Ocketbook.
The next morning Mary Braddock
appeared before the master of Van
Slye's circus and offered her interest
for sale. He calmy announced that
he could not afford to put any more
money into the concern.
II must sell out she said. "All
the money l have in the world is in
this show"
1T could not be better invested
he said. She shrank from the look in
his eyes.
But | need it for Christine's edu-
cation" she began.
Il will see to it that Christine is
given the best Of everything, Mary"
Il am asking no favors of you, Colo
mel Grand"
1T may interest you to know that
| have purchased your husbands en-
tire interest in this show" he said
softly.
"He-he has sold out to you?" she
murlnured, going white to the lips.
He could not do it! 1t is necessary
to have my consent. IL" Her
brain was whirling.
II understood that he was a perfect
~penitentiary if he has swindled me.
If you and Christine care to take that
sort of stand against him. I'll have
to do it. l should be terribly sorry
on the girls account. but Oh,
well, I'm sure it won't come to that"
weakly.
Unable to speak another word to
him, she turned and blindly made her
way to the women's dressing room.
Late hat night -four or FIVE persons
slipped out Of the hotel by the rear
doors. At the mouth of the dark al
ley a hack was waiting. With the
utmost caution this small, %closel,, hud-
died group approached the ~rici-ety
vehicle. Three women climbed in:
their two male companions mounted
the seat with the driver. Off through
the still night ratified the mysterious
cab, Gathering across the cobbled
streets for many minutes until at last
it drew up at the darkest end of the
railway station platform.
A train Numbered in. The station
platform "a quite deserted except
for the few belated jewellers who had
remained in town for the night per
Torrance of Van Slye's circus. When
the train pulled out a woman and two
men stood beside the hack. where
fearful farewells had been uttered and
godspeed spoken. Toward the east
sped a tall woman and a slim. beau
tiful girl, who had been peering i'll
tently through the window of the car.
The tall woman did not look forth,
but sat with her eyes riyeted on the
seat ahead.
Yes, it is goodby. my darling" she
said in very low tones.
Back AT the railway. station. after
the rear lights of the train had dis
appeared, the lone woman turned her
tear-stained face to the mai whose
arm was about her shoulder.
DO you think we'll ever see them
again, daddy?" she moaned.
Yes said the man huskily. She
said she'd let me know, Il way or
another, when it is safe to do SO.
Don't cry, Ruby. God will take care
OF EN-"
Il wish she'd said just where she's
really bound for muttered the other
man, a tall, %ungainly fellow. She's
near dead broke, and Tm-l'm
uneasy, joey
She'll get on, Casey, confound
you"
eff shed only make up her mind to
go back to her father" said the girl.
That's just it. If she's going back
to i'm it's best nobody knows yet
not even us. I've got their two let