The Washington herald., 1913-05-18
JOHN BRECKENRIDGE ELLIS


to It from now on
All this interests me greatly, dear.
because It interests you. Still, It doesn't
bear upon the main question"
Abbott, you don't know why / went
to that show to act. You thought |
was caring for sick friend. What
do you think of such deceptions?"
IL think | understand. Simon JEFF
ferson told me of girl falling from
trapeze; it was possibly La Conf
zetti's daughter Mrs. Jefferson told
me that Mrs. Gregory is nursing some
one. That same one, imagine. And
La Confetti was friend of yours,
and you took her place so the mother
could stay with the injured daughter"
You're a wonder, yourselfi" Fran
declared, dropping her hands to stare
at him. Eyes, that's it. All these
show people are friends of mine.
When the Mayor was trying to decide
what carnival company they'd have for
the street fair. told him about this
show. and thas's why it's here Poor
La Confetti needs the money dread
fully-for they spend it as fast as its
paid in. The little darling will have
to go to hospital, and there's moth
ing laid by. The bows all threw in,
but they didn't have much themselves.
Nobody has. Everybody's poor in this
old world-except you and me. I've
taken La ConizettTs place in the cage
all day to keep her from losing out;
and if this wasn't the last day, I don't
know whether I'd have promised you
Or not. Samson was pretty
good, but that mask annoyed him. So
h,,@
all this make you feel Just a wee bit
different about me?'
1T makes me want to kiss you,
Fran"
1T makes you"-she gasped-"want
to do-that3 Why, Abbott! Nothing
can save you"
I'm afraid not" he agreed.
The car was swinging at the highest
stopped.
She opened her eyes very wide. I'D
think you'd be afraid of such a world
famous lion trainer" she declared,
drawing back. Some have been, | as
sure you"
I'm not afraid" Abbott declared,
have kissed her, but she covered her
face with her hands and bent her head
instinctively.
"Upp cried Abbott up, Samson,
upT
Fran laughed hilariously. and lifted
her head. She looked at him through
her fingers. She pretended to roar. but
the result was not terrifying; then she
obediently held up her mouth.
After ALL said Fran, speaking
told why you ran AWAY to leave poor
Fran guessing where you'd gone Do
you know how | love you, Abbott?
Il think ! know"
I'm glad-for could never tell
you. Real love is like real religion
,, you can't talk about it. Makes you
want to joke, even If you can't think
of anything funny to say-rnakes you
chatter about anything else, or just
keep still. Seems to be something
down here-tbis is my heart, isn't it?-
hope | have the right place, | LETT
school so early-seems even when
refer to 1t | ought lowell, as | said,
make sort of joke.
Blu: this is no joke" said Abbott,
kissing her again.
Yes" said Fran, happily, I'VE can
talk about it in that way Isn't Bill
Smookins dear to keep Us up here
so long?"
1t was good while later that Alb
| bolt said: "As to why | left Little
| burg, Bob knew of a private school
that has just been incorporated as a
college. A teachers needed, one with
ideas of the new education-the edu-
cation that teaches US how to make
books useful to life, and not life to
books-the education that teaches hap
piness as well as words and figures;
just the kind that you didn't find at
my school, little rebel! Bob was an
old chum of the man who owns the
property, so he recommended me. and
| went. It's a great chance, mag
nihcent opening. The man. was so
pleased with the way | talked-he's
new to the business, so that must be
his excuse-that | am to be the presi-
dent"
Fran's voice came rather family.
"Hurrahp But you are to be far. far
above my reach. just as | phophcsied.
Don't you remember what | said to
you during our drive through Sure
Enough Country"
And that isn't ALL" said Abbott,
looking straight before him, and pre-
tending that he had not heard in
that town-Tahlelah, Oklahoma dis
covered, out in the suburbs, cottage
the dearest little thing-as dear as
as Mr.. Smookins; just big
enough for a girl like Fran rented
il at once-of course, it oughtn't to be
standing there idle-there's such fra
grant flower garden-I spent some time
arranging the grounds as | think you'll
like them. | didn't furnish the cot
tage, though. Women always like to
select their own carpets and things,
and"
Fran's face was a dimpled sea of
pink and crimson waves, with starry
lights in her black eyes for signal
lights. "Oh, you king of hearts" she
exclaimed. And shall We have
church wedding, and just kill EN-"
Abbott laughed boyishly. "No-you
must remember that your Connection
with show life is at an end
"But-and then-and So" cried Fran
rapturously. I'm to have a home after
all, with flower gardens and carpets
and things-a sure-enough home-Ab-
bott, home with you! Don't you
know, it's been the dream of my life
toto
Abbott was inexpressively touched.
"Yes. | was just thinking of what l
heard you say once-to belong to
somebody"
J:,.i - ,rr,s ,ho,,t b;s