The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1914-04-09

want you to talk about yourself. What
made you 20 away from town: But
that's not the worst: what made you
stay away7 And what we're you doing
on there wherever II was, while poor
little girls were wondering themselves
sick about your But wait!-tne
wheels going down-down-down.
|. &. Good thing ] have you TO hold
to--poor Miss Sapphire, she cant
come now! 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 W are. Just above
the clouds OF confetti. d. 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.. S~mookins!"
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 auivering. 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-
witchlngly sweet. Most u~nanswerably
and eternally-Fran!"
And you" she whispered.
"And l." he told her. Am nothing
but most wanting-to.be-loved."
tits so queer" Fran said. plaintive.
ly. You know. Abbott, how long
you've fought against me. You know
Il, and | don't blame you. not In the
least. There's nothing about me to
make people. But even now
how a you think you understand me.
when | don't understand myself"
Il don't" he said. promptly. I've
given up trying 10 understand you
Since then. I've just loved. That's
easy"
What will people think OF a super
intendent OF public schools caring for
a show.girl. even II she Ia Fran Non
pareil. How would It affect your ca.
reer?"
But you have promised never again
to engage In a show. 30 you are not q
show.girl."
What about my mother who lived
and died as q lion-tamer? What will
you do about my life.history? I'd new.
er 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. | have only
this to say: Whatever hardships II
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
hSbi NhaN 4 want W ibulis
Fran covered her face with her
hands. For a while there was silence.
then she said:
Father was there. tonight"
AT the l%lon.showI Impossible! Mr.
Gregory go TO a-a-to-a-"
"Yes. II Is possible for him ever to
go 10 a show. But to do him Justice.
a. ..., f....l ,,.a.. A.. ,... Ia. l.l
no intention OF doing anything SO
wicked as that. he only meant 20 do
some little thing like running away
But no. | can't speak of him with bit
%terness. now. Abbott. he SEEM all
changed"
Abbott murmured. as II stupehed;
mir. Gregory at a show!"
Yes, and n lian.show. When 4, was
over he came to me--he was 70 ex.
cited"
80 was l." spoke up the other
%"rather!"
you didn't show II. thought
maybe you wouldn't are II ! had been
eaten up. No. no.. listen. He
wanted to claim me-he called me
daughter right there before the PEG.
Pile, but they thought II was Just q sort
of--of church name. But he was won.
derfully moved. left the tent with
him, and we had a long talk came
fror, him to you. l never saw any.
body 30 changed"
But why7"
you see. he thought ] was going TO
be killed right there before his eyes,
and seeing Il with his very own eyes
made him feel responsible. lie told
me. afterwards. that when he found
out who Il wal In the cage. he thought
OF mother In a different wayne saw
how his desertion had driven her to
earning her living WITH ahevmsn. 30 l