The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-12-19

unst2adily In the superlatlyc?
don't see how you can, after that cxhI
billion behind the bars. Anyway.
want you to talk about yourself What
made you 20 away from town. But
mats not tho worst; what made YOU
stay away? And what were you doing
on there wherever 1t was. while poor
Ililio Elrls were wondering themselves
sick about you? But wait!-the
wheels going wn-down-down
Good thing | have you to hold
io-poor Miss Sapphire, she can't
come now Listen at all the street
criers, getting closer, and the whistle
sounds wish we had whistles: the
! squawky kind See my element All.
bolt, the air I've breathed all my life
the carnival. Here we are, just above
The clouds Of confetti Now
were 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 wheel
to pieces. And oh, aby the way, Bill
Just stop this wheel, every once in a
while, will you?-whon we're up at tho
very tiptop. All right--good-by.
And Abbott called gaily. "Good.by,
Mr. Smookins!"
I'm glad you did that, Abbott. You
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 body
from qulyering. In spite OF this, she
fastened her eyes upon Abbott to
| ask, suddenly: Most WHAT"
Most adorable" Abbott answered,
as II he had been waiting for the
prompting. Most precious. Most be-
witchingIy sweet. Most unanswerably
and eternally-Fran"
And you" she whispered
And l." he told her, Am nothing
but most wanting -to.be-loved.
It's so queer" Fran said, plantive.
ly. you know, Abbott, how long
you've fought against me. You know
1t. and | don't blame you. not in the
least. There's nothing about me to
make people But even now.
how can you think you understand me.
when ! don't understand myself"
Il don't" he said, promptly. I've
given up trying TO understand you.
Since then, I've Just loved. That's
easy"
What will people think OF super.
lntendent OF public schools caring for
show'girl, even II she Is Fran Non.
pareil. How would it affect your ca.
reer?"
But you have promised never again |
to engage In a show. 80 you are not a
show girl"
What about my mother who lived
and died as llon-tamer? What will |
you do about my life.history2 I'd nev.
er speak to n man who could feel
ashamed OF my mother. What about
my father who has never publicly
acknowledged me? I'd not want to
have anything TO do with man who
who could be proud OF him"
AS to the past, Fran, have only
this to say: Whatever hardshps It
whatever wrongs or wretch.
edness--it evolved you. you, the Fran
Of today-the Fran of this living
hour. And it's the Fran OF this living
hour that | want to marry"
Fran covered her face with her
hands. For while there was silence,
hen she said:
Father was there, tonight"
AT the lion.show2 Impossible! Mr. /
iregory go to a-a-to-a-"
Yes. II is possible for him even to
90 to show. But to do him justice.
le was forced under the tent. he had
no intention OF doing anything so .
wicked as that no only meant to do
ZONE little thing like running away /.
But no, can't speak of him with bit.
erness, now. Abbott. he seems all
changed"
Abbott murmured, as II stupehed:
Mr. Gregory at show!"
Yes. and lion.show. When Il was
,ver he came to me--he was 20 ex.
,ited-"
80 was l." spoke up the other
'rather!"
You didn't show Il. Thought
maybe you wouldn't care II had been
,aten up. No, no, listen He
wanted to claim me--he called me
daughter right there before the peo. ;
lie, but they thought 1t was Just a sort
'f-.of church name. But he was won. ,
lerfully moved. left the toni with ,
lin, and we had long talk--I came I
rom him to you. | never saw any. [
'ody so changed" :
but Why" |
You see. he thought was going to {
10 killed right there before his eyes. (
nd seeing it with his very own eyes t
made him feel responsible. He told
ne. afterwards, that when he found q
ut who 1t was in the cage. he thought G
( mother in different wayne saw [
ow his assertion had driven hor to /
arning her living with showmen. 80 / y