Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-03-03


they blew out. That's all know"
That's enough" Joe's voice was
toneless. "Its only a matter of day
or two now"
That's why | followed jou mp;
couldn't get to you last night without
tippn' my mltr. i got car at the
edge of the lot. All you got to do is
twist around the grounds some. and
keep your eye over your shoulder If
there amt nobody behind you. into
the car and zowie. we're out and
gone. | need n partner" said Full
house. 81 got a racket .thatll make
money"
Not with me. Fullhouse It's
risk"
Wen blow to where there amt
no risk. Maybe amt such a sweet
smelling violet myself | amt done no
big-timc stuff. hut clown cop could
worry me. So got my eyes onen"
Again the music changed inside the
big top. Joe faced about
"One more number before mine"
he said.
Fullh0use stepped close to him.
You amt going into the rins?"
1--WE got to-" he said ii doggedly.
"Youve done something for me can
never fnrget-if that's gratitude But
Il can't go with you. They'll get me
sooner or later. might as well face
1t now as after a while. I've thought
II all out. I've got one chance In a
thousand that maybe the thing would
unravel If I could get the right kind
Of help. I've been hoping that Pete
Maxwell will 60 to the front for me-
He seemed to like meas much,
guess. as detective can like an &C.
cused man. Anyway. it's my only
chance. I've got to tell him what I
know and trust to luck"
what do you know. keed? Got
some dope. eh?r
Maybe I'm hoping-just what a
man told me before he got killed.
was cell mate OF Hymie Fradke's-"
He paused suddenly. staring in the
darkness. sound had caught his at
tention. the voice OF girl, calling
over by the dressing tents.
"Joe-Joel Are you there7 It's
nearly time for the act.'
The man whirled. Fullhouse turned
him swiftly back.
nix! Don't be chumpl Listen:
What's that dame to you?"
Nothing Joe was living. for her.
you amt told her nothing about
this jam you're INF"
II said I hadn't"
IT'D be hi for her to be mixed
In It. Listen. keedt" Fullhonse bad
caught his arms tightly. You amt
goin' to use no sense. so I'll have to
use 1t for you II you've got to 20 on
tonight. all right, go But the minute
you're out o. that tent. you set your
self to blow See that big tree over
there by the electric light? I'm up
In the dark. just halfblock this
and II you're clear. tear for that car.
Hi" he exclaimed. Il amt askin'
you. I'm telln' you. You don't want
to jam an innocent dame. do your
No! Not for the world! / was
going tomorrow"
Sure. in plain daylight. with trail
that turtle could follow. Then when
you're pinched. what7 Back they
brine cot ell hnr faI
material witness"
Joe Barry swayed. His shoulders
bulged. the muscles OF healthy work
resolving themselves into the strength
OF hate.
"I'll kill them firstl' he growled.
"You1l keep you g-dam head
where 1t ought to be and duck like
! told youl Well. how about It? Do
wait? Or don't II"
The music OF the circus band had
veered anew. Now. Joe knew. sue
Dayton was beginning her entrance,
the last he would ever see He
Strengthened breath whistlng over his
teeth.
You're right. Fullhouse- he said.
wait for me-"
Then slowly, as Fnllhouse crouched
to further conceal himself, Pierrot
edged out of the shadow of the great
wagon, slipped swiftly forward with
the knowledge that no one was watch
ing, and catching up his accordion,
made ready for his entrance into the
ring.
This time. there were no discords.
There was instead, throb and liv-
ing quality to his music which he
never had known before; Joe Barry's
soul was directing his fingers now; he
played without realizing it. He only
knew TINT he was saying good-by, to
this shimmering, beloved figure who
smiled down at him from the back of
her amiable old horse. to the crowds,
to the hillowy tents that had meant
the only true home he had known In
years. There in the spotlight, he gave
her the heart of him by proxy. and
when the act was over. he left within
the circus ring something that was
vital to him. the quality which had
meant much of his boyishness. his
trust in life, his innocence, his faith.
Half-staggering, he went down the
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