Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 124, No. 2 — page 91: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

- and her bevy of school children. A CIRCUS FOR MIRABELLE. Zach extricated himself with alacrity when he caught a glimpse of. Miss Dutton With sombrero in hand, he strode up to the school-teacher. From the breast pocket of his flannel shirt he drew a packet of pink tickets. “ Miss Mira—er—er—Miss Dutton— they’s for you and the kids. Compliments of us Crumpled Creek boys. They’s tickets ‘for all the side shows, the big blowout and everything,” said Zach, extending the - tickets to her. “Oh, but I cannot accept them, Mr. Marsden. -Why— a You gotta, Miss Dutton, money ain’t no good hete.” was broad. Hospitality and admiration g'owed in his eyes. cuz your ‘“ But this was to be my treat to the children, Mr. faintly. “And this here circus is my—er— our treat, to you, Miss Mirabelle. Why, we Marsden,” she protested _ fetched it plumb over the hill fram Janes- ville a-purpose for you, -Miss Mirabelle.” “You did—what!”’ Miss Dutton’s blue eyes. widened. Her lips parted in a round little expression of incredulity. Zach was uncomfortable. He hitched his cartridge-belt, stood on one foot, then on the other. ‘“* Why, yessum—seein’ as how them ornery trustees wouldn’t let you and the ‘kids go to the circus at Janesville, why we just brung the whole shebang right over ~— to you, Miss Mirabelle,” explained Zach boyishly. He pressed the tickets into her hand, bowed awkwardly, and backed away from her before she could grasp the meaning of his words. Rosé a clamor of impatience _ from the children and Miss Dutton came to sufficiently to take charge of her little flock. It was a-generously cordial audience, bar- __ Ting the peevish Smoke Lake cowboys, and every act was greeted with storms of ap- plause. The performers were: gratified; they responded heartily to the shouts and whoops of approval. Crane’s Crack Circus had never put over a finer show to a bigger and better natured 6A Zach’s smile . 273 audience. Even Miss Mirabelle forgot the embarrassment caused by Zach’s comment and vehemently applauded the lady bare- back riders. She spent her admittance money upon balloons, crackajack, peanuts, and pink lemonade for the children. At the conclusion of this glittering suc- cess, Miss Mirabelle decided to seek out Zach and express to him her thanks. Why, it was all perfectly wonderful. The more she thought of what had been accomplished, the greater her ‘appreciation of what Zach had done. And then, in the crygh of the outgoing crowd, fragments of conversation drifted to her ears: ‘* That’s her—Zach, he done it for her!” ‘What do you know about that—”’ ‘“ Uh-h—Zach’s a corker—ain’t many guys ’d swipe a whole circus fer his girl.” Miss Mirabelle was embarrassed. She tried to hurry the children, but that was impossible in the surging crowd. She changed her mind about thanking Zach. She became conscious of curious stares and whispered comments directed toward her- self. She would chide Zach on the morrow: yet, down in her heart, there was admiration for his brazen deed. Only a chivalrous spirit, somewhat misguided, it is true, could have prompted him to do this preposterous and remarkable thing. IV. It was late the next morning when Cabby Dole awakened Marsden from sound slumber—Cabby had been up and about for an hour or more and the news he brought to his comrade was of a startling nature. ‘Zach, what do you think—that bloody circus ain’t budged. That fat-head Crane beat’ it last night with the sack o’ boodle and one of the circus guys told me nobody ain’t been paid for three weeks and they’s all dead broke and Crane’s owin’ more’n the dinged old circus is worth.” Cabby paused. It was a dramatic moment, and he intensi- fied the situation by adding: ‘‘ Our boss is | sore as a goat at you. He allows you’ve kicked up a purty mess a-gittin’ this here ecomnniclacclks (CO Wwe