The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1917-05-31
CLOWNS and 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
voung tenor voice was as silent dur
ing the singing OF the hymn as Sara
own sweet soprano confirmed her sus-
melons of two days standing. There
had been a quarrel.
BLESS their hearts she sympa-
thized, with her thoughts miles away
from the song. Il wonder what the
trouble is" And her eyes, rowing
away from her book as though IN
search of the cause, found 1t.
There he was-the stranger-ln
pew Just ahead to the right.
"Humph." concluded Miss Lynda
with involuntary contempt, I'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 a goose! Ill Det'
too, that he won't walk home with her
after the sermon, either, IL can help
1t. Not II l am in as good health as
| am this minute, he WON'T"
! The hymn closed and the sermon
began. Miss Lynda heard none OF II.
/ Her thoughts were busy. There will
have to be something done" she kept
saving 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 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 BIZ
Tvs father on the phone. After Lang
lev concluded with: IT'S bad business
for young men to lose their heads and
leave town, isn't 1t. Lynda? You and
know that, don't we?"
Yes, indeed, we should, Henry"
she answered. Now don't forget in
structions."
On Tuesday, at luncheon, Miss Lyn-
da said casually over a forkful OF
salad, Il think I'll go up to Potters
and exchange those gloves before cir
Gus time"
"All right" agreed Sara, languidly.
"I'll 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. Id do it only it's the other
direction"
Certainly I'll go. auntie. but well
never get seats together unless we
meet somewhere"
1--WE thought OF that. Tickets are
on sale at Lynn's bookstore and II
stop in and get our two together.
can leave yours for you"
At lunch Mr.. Henry Langley said tc
; his moody son over a chop: BILLY,
| can't get away until the last second
| so on my way downtown III stop a
Lynn's and get the tickets and leave
one for you with your name on it.
| Very well, dad"
| A little clever juggling Of tickets be
| tween the two older people and thu
| estranged lovers found themselves to
/ gether.
| The procession was starting around
= the ring with blare Of trumpets ant
= a band The look Of Indignation OF
Sara's face and the amaZement ant
perplexity on Billy's were Instant,
arrested. Primal instincts were oblit
Grated in the magical parade befor
them, a glittering pageant of flares
magnificent royalty, gorgeous O-ien
tails. races of five colors. animals o
all countries, with trappings right on
Of the Arabian Nights" and must
calculated to lure the GENT of Aladdin
right into the big tent
III Billy watched and munched. Sara
giving herself up to the delights Of tn
biggest show on earth. forgot he
neighbor and gazed intently at tn
spectacle. The romp in the rings be
gan. and heads were turning Xix
knobs on pivots trying to see every
thing at once. Bears rode bicycle.
elephants had a ball game. ponis
were living pictures, Cinnamon spu
by their hair, equestrians did stunt,
and acrobats risked their lives.
| Then came the clowns, a whole do;
en- Of them, with their ridiculous ii
neys, baby buggiss. airships and p;
troll wagons. Billy let out a snort G
glee and Sara Uttered. Another thre,
a rubber rock on an invisible string |
their direction, and as they bot
lodged they bumped heads. The mil
/! sile retreated after coming within
= foot Of them. Sara screamed an
then laughed Historically. She fe
that she would go crazy II sh
couldn't say something to somebod,
What was that? Billy was slappin
his knee and declaring that somethin
was rich" Evidently he was feelin
the same way, when he was babblin
to himself