The herald., 1922-06-08
The Circus
People
Observation-Disclosures
By MARVIN ST. JOHNS

"It's a sinful shame!" declared prim,
straight-laced Miss Tabitha 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 thlrty-nve,
looking ten years younger, and, al
though missing most Of the joys OF
life, by no means scored, and stu
hoping and longing that some day
Love would come along and help NIL
out her lonely life.
She had given Miss Duncan a home,
she had educated Bart.
For this reason any deviation from
personal or household rules was
viewed with concern by the twain OF
selfish time-servers. What had
aroused their present CONSERVATION
was the fact that Lucia had not only
allowed a travelling circus to show on
a lot she owned, but had visited II
several times
"Its Just terrible. Bart" pro-
nounced the agitated Tabitha. Bart.
I believe that Lucia has fallen In
Lowell"
"IncredibleI" he gasped.
"It's true. II seems that those two
little acting girls are under the charge
Of a man calling himself Henry Nor
ton. He used to be balloon acrobat,
but had q bad fall His brother. now
dead, was also an actor, and mad
trained the children. Morton is travel
ing with them as their guardian. l
won't say that he is not a polite, dig
nified gentleman, but he has fascinat-
ed Lucia, and hate him. Well, that
isn't the worst Of 1t"
what nextr
"Why, somehow the two children
have caught the measles and can't 60
ON with the show. Morton has can
celed their contract and Lucia, sort
hearted Lucia, has turned the house
into a hospital"
you don't mean to say that she has
taken those two children7"
eyes, 1 do, and Morton is there, too
helping nurse them"
It was all true. Without pausing to
analyze feelings or motives, Lucia
Warden had drifted into a new envi
ronment.
Never had an ingenious, true-soulec
little woman more appreciativs
friends. After the hardship. uncertain
ties and discomfort Of half a season
of rosghing 1t with the circus, the III
tie children snuggled down In the
pretty, coy home Of Miss Lucia like
birds housed in a cherished nest.
Their uncle would scarcely leav'
; their presence. His ministration
J were assiduous and untiring. WheI
Lucia came into the sick room, sor
} of glorified contentment came into MI
bronzed, serious face.
Lucia learned the history OF the III
tie ones, left under a years contrac
with the circus company, with whicl
their father and uncle had been con
nected.
"That is all over now" Morton toll
her. with profound satisfaction. y
has been a providence that their Hines
came at q time when your kind hear
opened the doors Of your beautifr
home TO the homeless and distressed.
He told her how he had never mai
r,ed because of the hard round OF dr
ties. the broken fortunes Of his brotf
or and his family had required.
And then one evening. as they 81
in the glow Of the freight and tn
q shaded lamps, the little ones asiee
n In each others arms, like cheruDl
Henry Morton boldly. bravely told TN
, superb friend that he loved her.
She was waiting for the declaration
for she was hoping for 1t.
I'VE must do sOmething" declare
Miss Tabitha to her nephew two day
later. when she learned how matter
stood.
Morton had gone away to close o.
a little piece Of property he owned
a distance.
leave It to me-" replied Bart, q
ter he had gained every detail
could as to the past life and antec
dents Of Morton.
Four days later he sent for Mi
Tabitha In great excitement and e
ultation Of spirits.
1--WE got HIM" he chuckled. tn
hint Won had about his living at ca
tain town Eve years ago has broqG