Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-04

The nearness OF danger had paled
0raoe's cheeks. Gregory accepted his
own trembling ~ natural, but Grace's
evident fear acted upon his nebulous
state of mind In way to condense
5umbled emotions and deceptive long
ings into something like real thought.
II they were In the right, why did they
feel such expansive relief when the
crowd swept them from the sidewalk
to bear them far away from Robert
Clinton?
The merry-go-round. It's very music
travelling in circle, clashed Ito steam
whistlings and organ.vailings against
these distinct strata Of sound we're cut
across by an outcropping Of graphic
phones and megaphmes. Upon An
open.air platform, minstrel troupe,
by dtnt Of falsetto inarticulateness,
futile banjoes, and convulsive dancing,
demonstrated how little Of art one
might obtain for a dime. Always out
of sympathy with such displays, but
now moro than ever repealed by them,
Grace and Gregory hurled away to
find themselves penned in court, sur
rounded on all sides by student cries
of "barkers," cracking reports from
target -practice, f,IsiIlades at the doll
babies" changing Jars from strength.
testers and the like; while from this
horrid field OF misguided energy there
was no outlet save the narrow entrance
they had unwittingly used.
Horrible! exclaimed Grace, half.
stumbling over the tent-ropes that
entan gled the ground. I'VE must get
out of this"
It was not easy to turn about, 80
dense was the crowd
Scarcely had they accomplished the
vancouver when Grace exclaimed be.
low her breath. There he ISL
Snre enough, Robert Clinton stood at
the inarrowest point OF their way. He
was clinginK to an upright. and while
thus lifted above the heads Of the
multitude, sought to scan every face.
~ don't think he has seen vs." NUT
tered Hamilton Gregory, instinctively
lowering his head .. W..
1--WE can't get out now" Grace Ia
mented. 'No, he hasn't seen us-yet.
But that's the only place of--of escape
and he keeps looking so curiously-
he must have been to the store. He
knows I'm away. He may have gone
to the house."
1t was because every side-show Of
the carnival company had insisted on
occupying space around the court
house, and because this space was
nearer. that the country folk and ex-
cursionists and townsmen showed IN
such compressed numbers at every
turn In reality, however. they were
by no means countless: and II Roberts
eagle glance continued to travel from
face to face, with that maddenfns
thoroughness- 49,
wed better separate Gregory
hoarsely whispered. 1--WE II meet at
the station !.
mo. If he sees us, what would be
the use? Anyway. he'll have to know
tomorrow. . everybody Will
No." said Grace,
overcoming a slight indecision, "the
important thing is not to be stopped
whoever sees. Come this way"
"But there's no chance out. that
way" Grekory returned, with the
|obstinac y Of the weAk. And il he
does see Us, it won't do to be seeming
to try to hide
"But We are hiding" Grace said de-
finitely. Possibly We can keep NOV
ing about. and he will 30 away
"Why should We hide. anyway de.
manded Gregory, with sudden show OF
spirit.
To that, she made no reply. II he
didn't know. what was the use to tell
him? ~
Gregory moved on. but glanced back
over his shoulder. Now, he's getting
down" he said in agitation. He's
making his way right toward US.
!. All right, let him GOMEZ"
.In bere-uuick!" cried Grace. drag,
Ring him to one side. "Quick!"
A voice stopped them with, ,"Your
tickets, please"
"Oh. no.. walled Gregory, mot into
show. Grace. We can't 90 into a
show. It's-it's impossible"
She spoke rapidly: I'VE must. Wen
be safe in there, because no one
would ever suppose we'd 90 into sucn
a place" =,
"But Grace" said Gregory firmly g"
can. mott will not 80 into show
The voice addressed them again:
"It's f1rst-class In every particular
lady. There is. nothing here to bring
the blush OF shame to the cheek OF the
most fastidious. See those fierce man.
eating lions that have been captured
in the remotest jungles of Africa"
Gregory locked back.
Robert Clinton was drawing nearer
AS vet he had not discovered them
but his eyes. grown fiercer and more
imnatient, were never at rest
With a groan. Gregory thrust some
money into the showman's hand. and
he and Grace mingled with the noisy
sight-seers flocking under the black
tent.
CHAPTER XXI.
-" The Street Fair.
Littleburg was trembling under the
fearful din of a carnival too big for 1t
when Abbott Ashton, after his weeks
of absence returned to find himself al
Hamilton Gregory's door. He dis
covered old Mrs. Jefferson in the from,
room-this July night-because ole
age is on no friendly terms with fall
ing dew; but every window was open
"Come in,' she cried, delighted a.
sight OF his handsome smiling face
he had been smiling most of the time
during his drive from Simmtown will
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