Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-27

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Madison did not speak for q moment
The was . consummate leader. He
looked, smiling reassuringly, from one
to the other, and then leaned soothing
", confdentially, In over the sill.
II know how you feel-felt just the
same myself for bit," said he quietly.
"But now look here. You've got to
pull yourselves together-there's moth
ing to be afraid of. It's natural enough.
It's faith, Helena, and that's what we
were banking on, only not quite SO
hard. That kid and Mrs. Thornton an
nexed the real brand, that's all, and
when the genuine thing is on tap I
cross my fingers and yell for faith
there's nothing'to stop it. And that's
the way It's got both Of you, too, eh?
Well, that only makes our game the
safer and the more certain, doesn't it?
So come on, now, pull yourselves to-
gether." T
''In de last act, when was gettin'
me head into joint" mumbled the
Flopper, twas when do kid yelled-I
can hear It yet, an
Forget ity' Madison broke in 4 lit
tie sharply; then, tactfully, his voice
full Of unbounded admiration. you're
an artist, Flopper-a wonder. You
pulled tho greatest act that was ever
on the boards, and you pulled it as no
other man on earth could have pulled
1t. Flopper, you make me feel humble
when l look at you"
"Swipe mev said the F1opper, bright
enins. "D'ye mean It, Doc-honest?"
Mean IT." calculated Madison.
you're the whole thing, Flopper-you
win. Come on now, Helena, buck up
we've got another little act due in
about fifteen minutes-don't let lot
Of yowling rubes get your goat why,
say, we've got the whole show on the
stampede we've got to rush our
luck"
, Sure struck in the Flopper: Oats
de way to talk-leave 1t to de Doc ev.
cry time. ! amt feezed half de way
/ was"
"I'm all r1ght," said Helena . little
TREMENDOUSLY. "What Is 1t were to do?"
"Good!' sa1d Madison, smiling at her
approvingly. '-That sounds better.
Now listen. and listen hard. From this
minute this cottage Is the shrine. Get
that? Shrine. You've got to keep the
hush falling here, and keep It falling
all the time-a sort Of holy. hallowed
silence, understand? Lay It on thick
make the crowd stand ,back-make the
guy that comes In here feel as though
he ought to come in on his knees and
as II he'd be struck dead II he didn't.
Get the slow music and the low lights
working. And keep the Patriarch well
hack Of the drop except when he's on
for a turn. Get me? He's no side
show with a barker in front Of the tent
don't forget that for minute. The
harder 1t is to get to see the Patriarch
and the less he's seen the bigger he
plays up when he's on. He goes to no
man under any conditions, and the
only man or woman that gets to him
Is through faith and duplication. and
q double order Of it at that Keep the
solemn, breathless tap turned on ali
the time"
Helena looked at him with strange
little smile quivering on her lips.
Its good thing I've got sense Of
humor," she said slowly, "or else
think Td-Td"-
mo you wouldn't" interpo5ed Mad.
ison cheerfully. But times flying.
You're going to have visitors in few
minutes, and here's where the Patri.
arch gets tucked away out Of sight be-
hind the veil for q starter, leaving his
presence lowering and throbbing all
around In the air. You stay with him,
Flopper, In back room somewhere
and hold his hand. Where Il he now?'
I'm his armchair In the sitting
room," said Helena. "And he's still
listening in that queer way he did out
on the lawn. I think he knows in a
faint sort Of way what's happened"
That's good" exclaimed Madison;
'tit'll make him happy. Well, lead him
gently into retirement. guess that's
all--now, hurry"
"Who is 1t that's comingT' inter
posed Helena quickly, as Madison
started away from the window.
Madison grinned.
"Some friends Of the F1opper's. Mr..
and Mrs. Thank Onering-you'h like
them Immensely, Helena. The lady
walks quite well now, and
"Walksv' exclaimed the Flopper.
who evidently had not assimilated
s 11I