Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-04-05
The Circus
People
BY MARVIN ST. JOHNS

: copyright, lSLZ, western newspaper Ohioh.
Its a sinful shame!" declared prim,
straight-laced Miss Tabtha Duncan.
aunt Lucia must have taken leave
Of her senses |" chorused Bart Dun
can, her nephew.
The criticisms were not generous.
Both were pensioners On the bounty
of Miss Lucia Warden, age thirty-five,
looking ten years younger, and, al
though missing most of the joys of
life, by no means sorred, and still
hoping and longing that some day
Love would come along and help fill
out her lonely life.
She had given Miss Duncan home,
she had educated Bart.
For this reason any deviation from
personal or household rules was
viewed with concern by the twain of
, selfish tine-servers. What had
aroused their present CONSERVATION
was the fact that Lucia had not only
allowed a travelling circus to show on
lot she owned, but had visited 1t
several times,
IL > just telTlblt, pult pio-
nounced the agitalcd Tabtha. Bart,
| believe that Lucia has fallen in
love!"
"Incredible he gasped.
Its true 1t seems that those two
little acting girls are under the charge
of n man calling himself Henry Nor
ton. He used to be balloon acrobat,
but had bad fall His brother, now
dead, was also an actor, and had
trained the children. Morton is travel
ing with them as their guardian. i
won't say that he is not polite, dig
nitied gentleman, but he has fascinat-
ed Lucia, and | hate him. Well, that
isn't the worst of it,"
| What neXtW
| "Why, somehow the two children
have caught the measles and can't go
! on with the show. Morton has can
ceed their contract and Lucia, soft
hearted Lucia has turned the house
+ into hospital"
You don't mean to say that she has
taken those two children?"
"Yes, do, and Morton is there, too,
helping nurse them"
1t was all true Without pausing to
analyze feelings or motives. Lucia
Warden had drifted into a new envi-
ronment.
Never had an ingenious, true-souled
little woman more appreciative
friends. After the hardship, uncertain
ties and discomfort of half season
of roughing it with the circus, the lit
pretty, cozy home of Miss Lucia like
birds housed in cherished nest.
Their uncle would scarcely leave
their presence. His ministrations
were assiduous and untiring. When
Lucia came into the sick room, a sort
of gloritied contentment came into his
bronzed, serious face.
Lucia learned the history of the lit
tie ones, left under years contract
with the circus company, with which
their father and uncle had been con.
nected.
"That Is all over now" Morton told
her, with profound satisfaction. III
| mas UcCH IL thut tAiCAi ihhSoS
came at a time when your kind heart
opened the doors Of your beautiful
home to the homeless and distressed
He told her how he had never mar
ried because of the hard round Of du
ties, the broken fortunes of his broth
err and his family had required.
And then one evening, as they sa7
in the glow Of the freight and thu
shaded lamps, the little ones asleeI
in each others arms, like cherubs
Henry Morton boldly, bravely told thi!
superb friend that he loved her.
She was waiting for the declaration
for she was hoping for 1t.
I'VE must do something" declares
Miss Tabitha to her nephew two day