The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-07-25

iir she comes to. anyway There
was an evil smile on the mans
ssarthy face as he raised Iris and
bore her 10 one OF the vans which
we're ereaking toward where be
stood. he laid the girl on q rough
couch inside the leading van. cara.
Who had followed him up the steps
Into the vehicle. gazed down at the
girl.
Poor thing" she murmured. she
dar,ed a look at her master. then
al the little iaesscreened window.
I'VE can't keep her with Us. Rube.
she's some great lady. you know.
and
Hold your peace. womani II Is
going to be as I like RUDE sat
down on a boz and began to draw
OF the girls rings Perhaps she
IL going to stop with Us" His haad
was on Iris's head. "You are not
much hurt. my dear. and maybe
you will be OF use TO US" He rose.
There. you Just look after her, and
when she comes too. see that she In
dressed different" He stood there
thinking hard. "she Is too pretty
10 part with. and perhaps she would
like to stop with us-perhaps. Any
way. she will have to pay for orr
kindness to her"
Rube stumbled out OF the wagon
and closed the door. The caravan
and the motley crowd OF followers
went slowly on through the com
try, passing through many villages.
not stopping till nightfall. when camp
was pitched on a lonely moor.
Iris sat up and stared about her.
She tried TO think. She saw things
moving past her. felt the culver OF
the room where she had been lying.
saw a woman with black hair and
piercing dark eyes seated near her.
Whatever did II meant She placed
her hand to her head. No. she could
not think, Something had happened.
but whatf She looked down at her
dress. a strange-colored dress with
a vivid crimson corsage covered
with shining beads. She saw heavy
bangles on her wrists. and then a
curious sensation made her put her
hand to her head. She felt rings
ia her ears.
"You are better. Irma dearie?"
said the woman. Iris shivered as
cara bent over her. and. taking her
IL her arms. kissed her.
Rube had been obeyed to the let.
ter. His quick brain had seen the
chance OF a life In this adventure,
and II pleased him. too. the thought
that a girl who was a great lady
should become one of his troupe
whether she liked II or not. She
was far too beautiful TO let go with.
out a fight. She would improve
business that Summer. and he had
had little doubt as he gave cara
her orders the night before. the
while he watched his prisoner. who
lay In a trance on the bed In the
creaking wagon. that he would be
able to tame the newcomer. sup
posing she we're foolish enough T.
resist him!
IL don't understand" said Iris
piteously as she tried to free her
self from Zara's embrace. "wiy
am I here?"
The woman laughed. She hat
overcome her objections now, and q
pleased her, too. as II did Rube, the
thought that this girl belonged q
them. that her beauty would brinI
the public TO see her.
why are you here. dearie? VIVA
a foolish question:" Tara place.
her hands on her prisoners shoul
ders and shook her. You have be 81
ili Irma. and have forgotten things
! expect, but you are better nov
You are one OF us. and Rube Is &c
ing to teach you how TO dance"
"Rube?" said the girl family. Sh
b did not remember. could not remeu