The state herald., 1914-01-09


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 1t was, while po,r
little girls were wondering themselves
sick about you! But wait!-the
wheels going down-down-dowp
Good thing have you to hold
to-poor Miss Sapphira. she can't
come nowl Listen at all the street
criers. getting closer. and the whistle
sounds wish we had whistles: the
squawky kind See my element. Alb
bott. 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 a
while, will you?-when we're up at the
very tiptop. All right-good.by."
And Abbott called gaily. "Good-by.
Mr.. Smookins!"
Pm 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 qulvering. 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-lovet."
IT'S so queer" Fran said. plaintive-
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"
81 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 a cuper-
intendent OF public schools caring for
show-girl. even II she is Fran Non
pareil. How would II affect your ca
reer7"
But you have promised never again
to engage In n show. SO you are not a
show.girl."
What about my mother who lived
and died as n lion-tamer? What will
you do about my llfe.history? I'D nev.
er speak to 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 hardshipa Il
contained. whatever wrongs or wretch.
edness-it evolved you. you. the Fran
If today-the Fran OF this living
! tour. And it's the Fran OF this living
hour that ! want TO marry7"
Fran covered her face with her
hands. For while there was silence.
then she said:
Father was there. tonight"
AT the llon-show? impossible, Mr.
Gregory go to a-n-to-a-"
"Yos. Il is possible for him even to
20 to n show. Hut to do him justice.
he was forced under the tent. he had
no intention OF doing anything 10
wicked as that. he only meant 10 do
some little thing like running away
But no, can't speak OF him with bit.
torness. now. Abbott. he seems ali
changed"
Abbott murmurcd, as II stlpcncd
MIR Gregory NJ a show'" ..
Yes. and u lion-show. when NJ was
over he came to mc-he was 10 er'
cited"
80 was l." spoke up the otSS pr
"ratheri"
you didn't show II. | thought
maybe you wouldn't care II I had d Zen
eaten up, No. no. listen. lIe
wanted 10 claim mo-ho called ms
daughter right there before the 70
pie. bu, they though, II was Just n sori
of-of church name. Hut he was wpn
doffully moved. loft IN. tent with
him. and We had a long talk came
from him to you. never saw any
body no changed
nut whyT"
You see. he though, was going j.
bo killed riEht there before his eyts
and seeing II with his very own o,b,
made him feel responsible. iie t9t
me, Afterwards. that when he fouAt
out who II was IN tho cage. be thought
OF mother In different way--.ho Htk'
how his desertion had driven hor
earning her living With showmen. I'd