New Britain herald., 1928-04-07


 saspcd, rage flaming over her. transforming her suddenly >m q tInid, brow beaten child u. char fly into wildcat,
 Ecfor, Nita. the Hula dancer. could litt q hand to dctend hrrs, lt. Il small purpl--and- green clad fury flinS itself upon her breast; eilded nails on painted fingers flashed out, were about to rip down those painted, salloW cheeks like the claws of the wildcat she had become when powerful hands dragged her back.
 What t'cll's gong on horc ," Gus the barker panted as Sally struggled furlously. still insane with rage at .he insult Nita had flung at her.
 'Hetter keep this she devil Sut of my sight. Gus. or I'll cut her heart out Nita panted. adjusting th" grass skirt. which Sallys fu- r'ons onslaught had torn from the dancers hips, exposing the mar ros Ted satin tights hich ended far above her thin. unlovely knees.
 I'm surprised at you. Sally" Gus said severely. but his small eyes tWinlled at i1er. Next time you re having q friendly argument with this grass-skrt artist. for Ga"ds sake settle it by pulling her hair. The shows gotta go on &1d some of these rubes like her map. Don't ask me why. I ain't good at puzzles.'
 Sally smiled fechly, the passing of her rage having left her feeling rather sick and foolish Gus's arm was still about her shoulders, in naternal sort of fondness, as Nita switched away. her grass skirts hissing angrily.
 Kinda foolish of you. Sally, 10 pick a. fight with that dame. She could-a ruint this pretty face of yours. She's bad mamma. honey, and you'd better make yourself scarce when she's around. And N's' NiN' Nt'nt a up II JUL plJ TO sheik ain't worth fightln' for. I been fought over myself consid- crable in my time. and believe me, while two frails was fightin' for me I was lookin' about for another one"
 Sally fclt shriveled with shame. "1 wasn't fighting her because of of David.' she muttered, digging the toe of one little red sandal into the dusty grass of the show lot. 'Nita called me - nasty name. You'd have fought, too.'
 Sure! But not with dame like Nita, if I was you. You ain't no match for her. Now, you trot along to the dress tent and rest or cry or say your players or any thing you want to-except fight till show time again. And for God S sake. don't turn your back when Nita's around."
 Sally did not see the Hula danc- belonged to the "girlie show" which had a tent all its own. To encourage her in her confidence as a crystal-gazer, or rather to bolster up the faith of the skeptical audi ence. which had somehow become wise to the fact that Princess I.alla' had pulled some boncs.' Gus. the barker, arranged for four or five schillers"-employes of the carnival. both men and women. dressed to look like members of the audience-to have their for tunes told.
 Sally. tipped off by code signal of Gus's. let her imagination run riot as she read the magic crystal for the "schilers," and to every thing she told them they nodded their heads or slapped their thighs in high appreciation. loudly pro- claiming that Princess L.a1la" was a WOW. 8 witch, the grandest little fortune-teller in the world. Busi- ness picked up amazingly: quarters were thrust upon Gus with such speed that he had to form line of applicants for past, present and future" upon Sally's platform.
 She did not see David at supper which she ate in the cook tent after having carried "Pitty Sing the midget. 10 the privilege car. Buck, the negro chef Of the priv llese car. Srinned at her, but David was nowhere 10 be seen. Was he "traiin' Nita," as Gus. the barker had called if? Jealousy laid q hand Of pain about her heart, such new sort Of pain that she wanted, child ishly, to stop and examine it. II claimed instant fellowship in her ll"art with that other so-new emo tion-love. She wanted all after noon. until Gus had stopped h"r l}"ar' for a beat or two with h,s casual reference to David and \ita 10 fly 10 David for comfort. 10 pou, out her news to him. She had heard. in anticipation. his softl. spoken. tender Dear little Sal ly. Don't mind too much. W, have each other" So far had hci ina glnation run away with her.
 II was the last evening of ths carnival in stanton. and money rolled into the pockets of the con- cossionari"s and tho shovmcn.
 Last chance to scc the tall"st | man on earth and the littJcs 1 woman. Last chance. folks If was already q little old to Sal ly-thc spiel"r's hallyhoo. Sh, could have repeated i, herself ! Glalnor was fading from the car. nival Tle dancing girls Were not i young and beautiful. as they haI i seemed at first: they had meyer 1 darc"d on Broadway in Ziegfcld' Iollic5. they never would They Wcr, oldish- young women who sn"crc1 at tho ''ruhes' and had cal fuses on tho bottoms Of heir ac1l- ing feet from dancing on rough.