The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1913-01-23

~ SOSo WS on3 NC cIAo0 hAc . ooOy
when he told me. too. David. he &C
tually sold Is wife to Bob Grand when
he gave up the show"
Good heaven. Joey!"
He told me 20 Isself. sitting right
there. But he says he 'ad sunk 80 low
in them days. pushed along by Grand.
that there wasn't anything too mean
for i'm to DO. He told me he stole
your pocketboOk-and . lot of other
cruel. nasty things he did besides. But
he said It vas whisky. and l believe
I'm"
But II he Is sober and in his right
senses he must feel the most poignant
remorse after that one terrible act"
cried the young man. Il know he
loved Christine We must get at him
from that side-the side OF his love
for the girl. the side of fairness"
"Wot does Dick say?" asked the old
clown.
He promised to find Braddock and
report to me-by letter. OF course he
did not know that you had seen him.
or he would have come last night to
talk 1t over with you In"
Joey held up his hand and shook his
head, oh. no. he wouldn't. David.
Dick thinks too much Of me to come
ere You see. 1t would never do for
i'm to be seen frequentin' this 'ouse.
I've Invited i'm ere, but he says 1t
would injured me. and my 'ouse would
be watched as long as live in 1t.
You see. Davy. We amt with the
circus now. We're at 'ome In our own
ouse. and things is different cir
Gus is one thing and mans castle Is
another. Leastwise. that's wot Dick
says. He says I'm too old to be caught
in bad company. Id die before could
live it down. He's an odd chap. he is.
About Brad. just keep cool until you
ears from Dick. Old man Portman
and Mary and Christine won't thank
you for stirring things up. They're
not anxious to ave a scandal. Now.
let's talk about something else"
Dick resignedly settled back and
was at once involved In an exchange
Of personal narrative.
Il ave retired from the STAGE" re-
marked Joey. II am too old to go
clowning 1t any longer. Next season
Ruby will go out with the show. but
I'm getting a new clown-that Is.
she'll go unless something important
'appens to prevent"
He screwed up his eye very mystic
riously.
What Is likely TO happen. Joey?"
We'll. there's a chap mighty atten-
tive to 'er these days. She's a ansome
girl and-but l dare say it's best not
to count chickens before they're 'atch-
ed. don't mind saying. 'owever." he
went on rather wistfully. I'D like to
see Ruby apply married and retired
from the stage. It's wuss than the
circus, my lad. The temptations are
greater and there amt 10 much honor
among the people you're thrown with.
The stage is surrounded by pack OF
wolves Just rs vicious as Bob Grand
ever was. and . girls got to be
mighty spry to dodge en-"
Joey was peering through the little
front window. With a chucklo he
said to his visitor: see that chap !
That's Why she's been 20 long to mar.
ket."
Ruby was walking slowly down the
opposite sidewalk attended by . tall.
strong featured young fellow. They
stood for q long time at the bottom Of
the steps. laughing. and then she shook
hands with her courtier, tapped his
cheek lightly with the grocer's book
she carried and ran lightly up the
steps.
The young Virginian had noted. a.
she stood below. that her figure was
. trifle fuller: she was bit more dash
ing and . great deal handsomer than
when he had seen her last Somehow,
David, without intending to do 20,
found himself mentally picturing her
ten years hence stout. goodnatur-
ed matron with a double chin and a
painful effort to disguise it.
He was not taken aback when she
rushed over with a little scream Of de.
light, and kissed him resoundingly.
after which she shook hands with him.
1t was what he expected.
During luncheon David took occa-
sion to compliment Ruby on her good
looks, her success and her prospects.
IF every girl know could enjoy
such improvement in five years I'm
sure" began David gallantly.
Il suppose you're thinking of Chris
tine Braddock when you say that, +"
said she shrewdly.
He had the grace to blush.
well. let me tell you. David, shes
the prettiest thing on two legs"
She is beautiful" asked David, his
heartbeats quickening.
she's what you might call ravish-
ing" proclaimed Ruby. And she's
very elegant. too Tell me about Col.
onel Grands daughter"
"How do you happen to know"
"It was in the newspaper that you
and she we're at the Springs at the