The Rose in the Ring

s that chilled and depressed the strollers. The route of the show ran through the Ohio River valley, ordinarily a profitable territory at that time of th

hree towns, lying idle in a God-forsaken river-place for two wretched days and traveling as if pu

of debt from which there was no apparent prospect of escape. The characteristically ebullient spirits of the performers surrendered at last to the superstitions that persistently obtruded themselves upon the notice of individuals. All manner of "bad luck" signs cropped out to sustain this multitude o

was due to the ugly humor of the unpaid canvasmen and the roustabouts who went searching for trouble as an outlet for their feelings. Guy ropes were cut by an attacking force of half-drunken rowdies; the canvases

ingled and fought like wild beasts. The young Virginian, vigorous as a colt, was a hero among his comrades. For days afterwards, every one talked of the stubborn stand he made at the rear of th

ed himself forever in the eyes of the terrified girl; he was never to forget the soft, tremulous words of loving anxiety she used, quite unconsciously, while

id, addressing the others who were there. "He came to my assistan

elltale gleam that had leaped into them. She knew

ent. "He didn't have a scratch and he is p

on his head, that feller could," grumbled the contorti

cus manager succeeded in half-way convincing the authorities that his people had been set upon and were in no way responsible for the

r their own positions in life, were saying, "Blood will tell." Down to the lowliest menial the sentiment regarding him underwen

ok in his eyes; his ever-winning smile responded less readily than before; sharp lines began to reveal themselves, flanking his nostrils. His heart was bitter. The weeks had brought him to a fuller realization of the horrid blight upon his fai

at there was still a chance to secure the treasure kept him from actually doing bodily harm to David, to such an extent that he might be forced to leave the show. That hope, and the ever-present d

ch he was losing himself. More than one kindly disposed person had been knocked down for his "interference," as Braddock called it. David Jenison shrank from contact with him, revolting against the language he used, despising him for the threats he held over him, distressed by the snarling requests

p for trial. Time had encouraged him in the belief that his innocence would prevail. He had talked it over with Joey and Dick C

er; every one knew where his real interest lay. Thomas Braddock cursed him in secret for remaining away while the show was tottering on its last legs. Mrs. Braddock never spoke of the man, but it was not difficu

cruelty, while Thomas Braddock and the weather brought the show to the last stages of des

ht. From that unhappy hour of truth she gave all of her love to the abused gentlewoman whose willfulness and folly had resulted in her own appearance in the world. The know

gay, sprightly creatur

hin herself, a curb on

e was happily alone wi

ly and cast off the we

inty, bewitching comrade of those troublous, trying da

up. We all know you're terrible took with 'er. It's nothink to be ashamed of. Wot I'm going to say is this. She's a puffect child yet and you are still a schoolboy. Are you going to be man en

avid in confusion-"she does

eye and puffed t

credit as a gentleman t

ry young," m

, just the same as folks doe

d love me when she's

is eyes

ere, confused

by that, that you'd go

"See here, Joey, that's not the way to speak of her. S

igh and mighty pussons

m on with consid

t we require no lessons in chivalry,

the fust subject. 'Ow is it going to be with you two when you've

moment. Then he faced

she's wonderful. I exp

h, I am going to ask

the gallows," remarke

r this shadow, and under another name, I would not feel that I was doing her a wrong in asking her to share my lot with me. Nothi

ely and lovingly, and lapsed into silence. For a long

much Dick Cronk loves Ruby?" H

He loves her so much and so honest

ery sorry

f-afford to 'ave anything to do with a pickpocket. He says it wouldn't be right. So h

d R

she's allus trying to get 'im to give up wot he's doing

hat, would y

I don't think I could let 'er marry a chap as 'ad been a thief.

le. He looked away, for he understood the longing that was in the hear

says he's going to be 'anged some day afore he gets through. He's that positive about it I can't talk 'im out of the

or the performance, adding lugubriously that there'd be mo

announce to the performers that they would have to travel by wagon

travel by wagon to-night. Mary, you and Christie take the car of Juggernaut. You can take anybody else in with y

ent, laughing

asey have. You shall not travel in those wagons. I protest against it. The rest of the performers have some of their wages left

em, nearly four hundred of his precious dollars. The generou

loan," sh

y," he sa

husband must be made to understand that we are

tion to share his little store of savings with Mrs. Braddock an

leep in the gutter

eep, Tom Braddock," shouted Joey,

nipe kid?" dema

with me," an

he'd thaw out and hand over some of the money he's hiding. I'

ead of yours," said the clown meaningly. Braddock looked at him in s

ugh from him to get a place to sleep," he growled petulantly. "But, curs

ay to the hotel Christine and David walked together. She clung very

ore you-I ju

That's how I feel toward yo

she was being exposed to herself in a new and glowing form. Something sweet and str

she murmure

e soft, luxurious ecstasy of discovery; she breathed of a curiously light and buoyant atmosphere; sh

hat had revealed itself so painlessly was an old one-as old as the world itse

ernoon had ceased, but in its place came ominous skies and crooning winds. Back on the circus lot men were working frantically to complete the task of loading before th

, hysterical laughter rose to their lips, and they set out on a run for the still distant hotel. The deluge came just as they reached the shelter of a friendly awning i

nder; the philosophy of Vagabondia had taught her that lightning is not dangerous unless it strikes. Th

is. His clasp tightened as the timidity of inexperience gave way to confidence; an amazing sense of conquest, of possession to

est?" he called, his

ried rapturously. "I love

r of them knew what had happened their lips met-a frightened, hasty, timoro

not do that!" cried t

ou before?" he demanded, f

back, hur

vid!" sh

led an

olutely, "I am going to marry

" she began, tremulous w

s a God. Then, when you are nineteen or twenty, I mean to ask you to be my wife. You are my sweetheart now-oh, my dearest swee

hink. I-I could be you

enough to-to be what

and, don't you? Mother

d vulgar, am

, Christine. You are fit to be the wi

you," she said, so softly h

times more than you ever could learn from me," he pro

in all this world-not even exceptin

y a boy,

unced promptly. "David, I must tell mother that-t

r together," h

r not tell father," sh

couple the figure of a man standing upright before them, but looking in quite another direction. Christine's sharp little cry came as the first flash died away, but another followed in a second's time. The man was now facing t

n out of the clatter and swish of

, Jack

ou?" calle

ou mean. Always use th

ret password unless yo

ee you, Miss Christin

lt

David. "Where in the w

sk

ket laughed

, eh? You kind o' surprised me, too, I'll say that for you. Gee whiz, I didn't know anybody was here.

empt to light his pipe, all the while standing directly in front of David and facing the street instead of se

and ransacked the store whose awning now afforded him a comfortable refuge? And how was he to know that Ernie had glared out upon their tender love scene with eyes in which there was the most pitiable jealousy, the most implacable hatred? Dick

fore David and vainly t

ry," exclaimed Christine,

all the time?" deman

you any. But," he hastened to say, "I reckon I went away before you dropped

r was still open and banging noisily against the casing. A particularly brilliant flash a few moments later revealed to this

or the past ten days,

ur brother ti

brother's keeper, remember that. I've been taking my vacation, that's all. My w

was peering up and down the drenched, black street with quick, apprehensive eyes. Far belo

s. "You've got an umbrell'. Say, if I was you and Miss Christ

it a few

tantly and said: "Better

ecret of his sudden appearance was revealed to her

don't mind the rain. Mot

David u

you haven'

bucket of water out on us for disturbin' him," said the other

He had looked uneasily down the street. "We can't stay here. If some on

o Joey's room in half an hour. I've got something importa

," she cried anxious

his deputies. Look to yourself. God don't a

treet. They looked back once during a fain

her by back streets to the railroad yards. He had rushed across the street just in time to restrain Ernie in his blind r

moaning: "I'd have shot him only I was afraid of hi

disturbed. "He'll be leaving the show before long. He won't sta

at me! Don't lie to me.

the ch

Ernie. The police would ha' nabbed me coming out

ck triumphantly. "I'll get him some time, and don't you forget it. S