The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1916-07-05
CLOWNS AHD CUPID
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

Miss Lynda looked furtively at her
niece in the pew beside her, then side
ways across the aisle to where the
Langleys sat- Billy was there with
his father, and the fact that his clear
young tenor voice was as silent DUR
ing the singing Of the hymn as Sara's
own sweet soprano confirmed her sus-
picions of two days standing. There
had been a quarrel.
"Bless their hearts," she sympa-
thized, with her thoughts miles away
from the song. II wonder what the
trouble is.' And her eyes, rowing
away from her book as though in
search of the cause, found it.
There he was-the stranger-in
pew just ahead to the right.
"Humph!" concluded Miss Lynda
with involuntary contempt, It'll bet
that circus agent who has been here
a week and walked home with Sara
the other night is to blame for the
whole thing. She is goose! I'll bet,
too, that he won't walk home with her
after the sermon, either, il can help
It. Not if I am in rs good health as
am this minute, he won't!"
The hymn closed and the sermon
began. Miss Lynda heard none OF It.
Her thoughts were busy. There will
have to be something DONE" she kept
saying to herself. "Poor things!" she
sighed, and glanced again at Sara.
Her thoughts continued: "Of course
talking to them will do about as much
good as trying to put out a fire with
gasoline, they are both so touchy. But
there ought to be some way! The
circus is Tuesday and Billy was to
take her, but he won't now. I believe
have the faint glimmering Of plan!
Yes, have-the very thing!"
And that afternoon she called Bill
ly's father on the phone. After Lang
ley concluded with: "It's bad business
for young men to lose their heads and
leave town, isn't it, Lynda? You and
know that, don't .we?"
eyes, indeed, We should, Henry"
she answered. "Now don't forget in
structions."
On Tuesday, at luncheon, Miss Lyn-
da said casually over forkful OF
salad, 'T think I'll go up to Potter's
and exchange those gloves before cir
Gus time
"Al1 right" agreed Sara, languidly.
'Tll go with you"
Now this was exactly what Miss
Lynda did not want But she diplo-
matically waited moment before an
swering: II thought maybe you
wouldn't mind taking those booties
I've just finished over to the new Mar
tin baby. I'd do it only it's the other
direction"
Certainly I'll go, auntie, but We'll
never get seats together unless we
meet somewhere"
"I've thought Of that. Tickets are
on sale at Lynn's bookstore and III
stop in and get our two together.
can leave yours for you"
At lunch Mr. Henry Langley said to
his moody son over chop: Billy, I
can't get away until the last second,
SO on my way downtown I'll stop at
Lynn's and get the tickets and leave
one for you with your name on 1t"
Every we'll, dad"
A little clever juggling Of tickets be-
tween the two older people and the
estranged lovers found themselves to-
gether.
The procession was starting around
the ring with blare Of trumpets and
a band. The look Of indignation on
Sara's face and the amazement and
perplexity on Billy's were instantly
arrested. Primal instincts were oblit-
Grated in the magical parade before
them, a glittering pageant Of fairest
magnificent" royalty, gorgeous Orien-
tails, races of FIVE colors, animals OF
all countries. with trappings right out
Of the Arabian Nights" and music
calculated to lure the genii Of Aladdin
right into the big tent.
Billy watched and munched. Sara,
giving herself up to the delights Of the
biggest show on earth. forgot her
neighbor and gazed intently at the
spectacle. The romp in the rings be-
gan, and heads were turning like
knobs on pivots trying to see every
thing at once. Bears rode bicycles,
elephants had a ball game, ponies
were living pictures, Cinnamon spun
by their hair. equestrians did stunts,
and acrobats risked their lives
Then came the clowns. whole dos-
en- Of them, with their ridiculous jit-
neys, baby buggies, airships and pa
troll wagons. Billy let out a snort OF
glee and Sara Uttered. Another threw
a rubber rock on an invisible string in
their direction, and as they botn
lodged they bumped heads. The mis-
sile retreated after coming within
foot Of them. Sara screamed and
then laughed Historically. She felt
that she would go crazy If she
COulQu Say SOuGluluS " SOUCUouy'
What was that? Billy was slappins
his knee and declaring that something
was rich Evidently he was feeling
the same way, when he was babbling
to himself
What silly geese they had been to
quarrel, and what a gay, funny world ,,
It was after all.
Along came a steam roller which |
ran over rubes. Sara began to giggle |
again and Billy looked sidewise. Their
eyes met in a rapture of merriment.
Ts-isn't it silly?' laughed Sara, !
reaching for her handkerchief Billy |
caught the hand and gave it surrep- !
titious squeeze. Best thing l ever :
saw" he agreed enthusiastically. I
was just wondering if we couldn't
hunt up our agent friend and get him !
in front Of that roIler!" with grin.
Lets forget hirn." proposed Sara. !