Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-03-06

, unsteadily. "In the superlative!
don't see how you can, after that exhi-
bition behind the bars. Anyway.
want you to talk about yourself What
made you go away from town? But
that's not the worst; what made you
stay away? And what were you doing
of there wherever it was, while poor
little girls were wondering themselves
sick about you? But wait!-the
wheels going down-down-down.
|. Good thing 1 have you to hold
to-poor Miss Sapphira. she can't
come now! Listen at all the street
criers. getting closer, and the whistle
sounds--I wish we had whistles: the
squawky kind See my element. Alb
bolt. the air I've breathed all my life
the carnival. Here we are, just above
the clouds of confetti. Now
we're 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. by the way. Bill
just stop this wheel. every once in
while, will you?-when we're up at the
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 quivering. 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-
witchingly sweet. Most unanswerably
and eternally-Fran!"
And you" she whispered.
And l." he told her. 'am nothing
but most wanting-to-be-loved."
Its so queer" Fran said. plaintive-
ly. "You know. Abbott, how long
you've fought against me. You know
1t, and l 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 I don't understand myself"
Il don't" he said. promptly. I've
| given ny tyihs " hhueiDtoho yo'
Since then. I've just loved. That's
easy"
What will people think of a Euper-
intendent 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. SO you are not a
show-girl"
What about my mother who lived
and died as a lion-tamer? What will
you do about my life-history? I'D new
err speak to a 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 a man who
who could be proud of him."
"As to the past, Fran. l have only
this to say: Whatever hardships it
contained. 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 a while there was silence,
then she said:
Father was there. tonight"
AT the lion-show? Impossible! Mr.
Gregory go to a-a-to-a-"
Eyes. 1t is possible for him even TO
go to a show. But to do him justice.
he was forced under the tent. he had
no intention of doing anything so
wicked as that, he only meant TO do
some little thing like running away
But no. can't speak of him with bit
terness, now. Abbott. he seems all
changed"
Abbott murmured, as II stupefied:
Mr.. Gregory at show!"
"Yes, and lion-show. When I; was
over he came to me-he was go ex-
cited"
so was L." spoke up the other
rather"
You didn't show it. thought
maybe you wouldn't care IL had been
eaten up. - No. no, listen He
wanted to claim me-he called me
daughter right there before the peo-
pie, but they thought 1t was just a sort
of-of church name. But he was won
derfully moved. / left the tent with
him, and we had long talk came
from him to you. ! never saw any
body 80 changed"
But why?"
you see, he thought was going to
be killed right there before his eyes.
and seeing it with his very own eyes
made him feel responsible. He told
me, afterwards, that when he found
out who 1t was in the cage, he thought
of mother in different wayne saw
how his desertion had driven her to
earning her living With showmeu, 20