Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-01-14

Yes" The blur began to close II
anew on Joe Barry. You see. sor1
OF made arrangements about another
Job. I'll have to see If | can cancel 1t. ;
i hope So said the girl frankly
Ihey were merely strolllng now
Wed like to have you with u.s."
Thanks" said Joe Barry and II
was not for Sue Dayton to understand
the depths OF that gratitude.
You'll know. then, In few days?''
asked the girl.
"Yes"-it brought everything back
Maybe | can find out tonight. I'm to
see the man who's employing me to-
night There are some things to be
settled. ! sure hope can get 1t fixed
up. I'll come right back II / can"
Joe Barry was wondering how he
could. explain his change of attitude,
how he could arrange for the return
OF the money he'd spent. 1t obsessed
him; he spoke distractedly; events
about him took on strange form as
II scenes from sketchy drama, or
the disconnected sequences OF dream.
This was the time OF times when fa
would have desired above all things
TO be utterly honest. II was CALLING
to realize that with every word he was
twisting himself deeper into q morass
OF deception. Suddenly he straight
ened. clear-eyed.
i might as we'll tell you, Miss Day
ton. I'm up against some problems in
this thing came grimly. "A man
made me proposition which he asked
me to keep secret. Tvekot to keep
my word to him."
Certainly" There was a hint OF
surprise In her tone.
1T rather ties me up-until | can
see him and get my release. But I've
been thinking 1t over. He made me
this offer when needed job pretty
badly. It's only fair to him to keep
my part OF the agreement until | can
tell him | won't 90 through with It."
Then you've decided7r Sue Day
ton was plainly pleased. "Oh, that's
grand Someway, | think You were
meant for circus
I know | was!' Joe Barry laughed
boyishly. Il didn't realize it until to-
day. It's what I've wanted all nv
life.''
Events were happier after that. Sue
Dayton did most OF the talking-most-
~ OF the show. Then at last they
walked toward the circus grounds:
twilight was coming, the townspeople.
by twos and threes and steadily great
er groups, were beginning to move
toward the lot. They said good-by, in
genuously, with the hesitant frank
ness OF young blood Then grim
again, lips thin. Joe Barry moved
swiftly for the restaurant where he
had left his bundle OF old clothing,
and after that to the station.
He lost track OF time In the tur- |
MOL OF his brain. Martin would come !
% his tiny room at ten o'clock. Joe
would tell him what had happened,
honestly. frankly. He'd make his
,ffer OF repayment for the money he
lad spent--nearly seventy-fiye dollars
IS he remembered 1t. Perhaps he
'ould pawn his accordion for part OF
the could send the rest from the
ircus; Dan Dayton had promised him
hirty-five a week at the start and
more II he lived up to expectations.
led tell Martin all that, and he'd try
Q convince him. But II the attorney
ried TO hold him to his bargain, there
vas q remedy. An inspiration had
old Joe he could 60 to the police.
On the train. Joe Barry breathed
eeper with something OF relief. Mar
10 wouldn't want that Suddenly he
7as glad he had thought of that. for
lore reasons than his own safety. 1t
ad not occurred to him until the
ecessity OF escape arose that he
light be taking part In something ap-
reaching the criminal. Yes, he was
lad he had thought of that, he told
imself, as darkness came and the
ain rushed through the first Of Jer-
~ cities on the way to New York.
But 1t had TO be done quickly-Joe
new that. He couldn't dilly-dally
18th Martin. now that he had thought
this new angle. Give him a chance.
II him the new viewpoint that he'd
aimed and then demand his release
here must be no wait OF a few DAYS
think 1t over. Then came a new
ar: what Ii 1t had gone too far al |
ady? He erased that. Nothing had ,
ally been arranged yet; he didn't
'en know the name OF the man whose !
ace he was supposed to take, or ex- ,
tly what he had done. Martin had :
Id he would take that matter M {
ter Joe had really made his de-
sion. !
well, I've made 1t I" the man num- /
ed. /
The train seemed to drag after that. I
re instant 1t plunged into the tunnel
the way to the station, Joe was out
his seat In the grimy smoking car
d waiting at the door. Then he was $
t and running. up the stairs and 2
rough the long, maze-likel exits a
ward the street
At last he was standing before the h
ear-faced old wooden building that d
q {c -