The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-03-20


Pontivy to Auray and from Penmarch
Point to Plouharnel Why should the
Breton peasantry not come? Don't
they walk miles TO the Pardons?"
A gray pallor settled on ByTam's
sunken face; with II came a certain
dignity which sorrow sometimes
brings even TO men like him.
Young gentlemen" he said I'm
obliged to you. These here reverses
come to everybody. guess. The Lord
knows best; but II he'll just lemme
run my show a leetle longer. I'll pay
my debts an say, Thy will be done,
amen!'"
After a painful silence he rose.
steadying himself with his hand on
Eyre's broad shoulder. and shambled
out across the square, muttering
something about his elephant and his
camel.
Speed paid the Insignificant bill,
emptied his glass. and nodded at me.
IT'S all up" he said soberly.
"Letg come back to camp and talk
1t over" | said.
Together we traversed the square un-
der the stars, and entered the field of
clover. In the dim, smoky camp all
lights were out except one oildrenched
torch stuck in the ground between the
two tents.
Speed had some cigarettes, and he
laid the pink package on the table.
lighted one when he did.
DO you really think there's a
chance?" he asked, presently.
Il don't know" said.
We'll, we can try"
"Oh yes"
"lll tell you what" Speed said. "if
we only had that poor little girl, Miss
Claridge, we'd catch these Bretons.
That's what took the coastfolk all
over Europe, so Grigg says"
Miss Claridge had performed in a
large glass tank as the "Leaping Mer.
maid" 1t took like wildfre according
to our fellow-performers. We had
never seen her; she was killed by
diving into her tank when the circus
was at Antwerp in April.
Cant we get up something like
that?" / suggested, hopelessly
who would do 1t? Miss Claridges |
flashlights are in the prop-box; who's |
to wear them?"
He began to say something else, but |
stopped suddenly, eyes fixed. Jacque-
line stood behind me in the smoky
light OF the torch-Jacqueline bare of |
arm and knee, with her sea-blue eyes
very wide and the witch-locks cluster
ing around the dim oval of her face.
After a moments absolute silence she
said: Il came from Paradise. Don't
you remember?
"Of course l remember you, Jacque-
line. And have an idea you ought to
be in bed"
Wont you sit DOWN." asked Speed.
THANK you" said Jacqueline.
She seated herself on sack of saw
dust, clasping her slender hands be-
tween her knees, and looked earnestly
at the elephant. Speed asked her, Jest.
ngly, why she did not join the circus.
1T is what wish" she said, under
ler breath.
And ride white horses?"
"Will you take me?" she cried, pas
springing to her feet.
Amazed at her earnestness, | tried
% explain that such an idea was out
II the question She listened anxious
at first, then her eyes fell and she
TODD there in the torch-light, head
hanging.
Il should like to see a circus" she
aid. Then should know what to do.
hat | can swing higher than any girl
Paradise has been demonstrated
ften," she went on, earnestly. 81 can
win farther, can dive deeper, can
un faster, with bare feet or with sa-
OTIS, than anybody, man or woman,
rom the Beacon to Our Ladys
hapel."
So you can dive and swim?" asked
peed, with glance at me.
Like the salmon in the Laita, mon.
Ieur."
Under water"
"Parbleu!"
After pause I asked her age.
Fifteen, M'sieu Scarlet Won't you a
AXE me?" she asked, sweetly. 1t
III tell you what I'll do, Jacque-
ne" said l. Very early in the morn al
lg I'll go down to your house and see b
our father. Then, if he makes no OBJ ri
ction, I'll get you to put on a pretty al
suit, all made out of silver fo
'ales, and you can show me, there IN
10 sea, how you can dive and swim hi
Id play at mermaid. Does that please
,u?" re
She looked earnestly at me, then at m
)eed.