Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 7, 1925 — page 168: what you’re looking at

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

aOR +) oid Pele <A) i ' at? {‘ 3 Heeyih 638 cried angrily. “Nothing in it but a lot of hick towners! I hate it. Ill get away, too, some day, you see if I don’t!” “Now, look,” George said, brother. “ That’s not a nice way fora girl to talk. You forget that stuff, see? And run along in, now; your ma’s calling you.” V. EARLY in May every shed and barn in Milledge blossomed with the rainbow bill- ing for Harker’s Mammoth Shows and Car- nival of Wonders. The youth of the little town greeted this blooming with rapt at- tention and mounting enthusiasm, and the oldsters were not far behind, for Milledge boasted few amusements, not even a regular movie. Of all the admirers of this pictorial art none was so enthralled as Patricia Mc- Gurl, whose bosom was near to bursting with the momentous secret she shared only with George. ‘Harker’s shows came eventually, on a perfect day, and the countryside for miles about turned toward Milledge and the tent- ed wonders. Al McGurl decided to take his entire family, since he had been given passes in recognition of a small papas job. to-one of the wagons. “I guess George has got sense enough to sell gas and oil for one afternoon,” = announced. “Can’t he see the show?” wailed. 3 “See the show? Say, what the hell! I don’t pamper any bums around this place! Your big tramp gets sick on us, then lives off us all winter, and now you think I ought to take him to a show! idea in his head like that I’ll tell him where he gets off!” Patricia contented herself with telling them all that it was a dirty, mean trick. So terrible was the excitement she labored under-she could scarcely act her part any longer. She found time to slip over to the garage before the family left for the show grounds. George was puttering about in his faded, oil smeared, denim overalls. His face and hands were dirty, his hair tousled. It was almost incredible that that rough exterior Patricia all big : The show was on. If he’s got.any ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. could harbor such refmed and splendid talent. Patricia had an awful moment of doubt. “Will you sure come?” she whispered. ‘“ Honest? Will you do it?” ‘“ Absolutely,” George promised heartily. Patricia stared at him enthralled in wor- ship. Her black eyes were big with excite- ment, her black hair flying—a coltish, long legged little girl, every inch of her. ‘ Oh, George!” ie cried shakily, and her lip be- gan to quiver. She ran away to hide her eyes. 3 The McGurls had splendid reserved seats, close up, where they could see every- thing. All Milledge was in the tent, and Patricia passed Hed Graham and his cro- nies with a contemptuous toss of her head and proudly curling lip. The band blared, the flap of the dressing tent lifted and the parade circled the tent. Patricia didn’t see it. To her it was a mad confusion ef sound and movement while she waited breathless, her fingers twining with anxiety. Every breath hurt her like a knife. - * Laydees and genP’men, your attention is kindly aie to the center Stage: if you please!” | The ringmaster’ S stentorian voice. in every eye while the band hushed and the rings cleared. ‘We take pleas-ure- in pre-sent-ing for the first time in your litt-le cit-y the world re-nowned and fam-ous _Mon-see-yur George-es De Kay in his breath tak-ing feats of strength and daring! Lad-ees and Genl’men, Mon-see-yur De Kay!” The band crashed a chord. Patricia McGurl had gone white. She leaned far out, half rising from her seat, the black eyes blazing. The tent was silent in this great moment, silent except fer the maddening drone of the candy butchers, “ Peanuts, popcorn and cones! Get ’em red hot, folks!” ‘‘ Mon-see-yur De Kay!” the ringmaster - repeated and stared about him anxiously. Somebody laughed, then somebody else, excited to mirth by the stage wait. “ Gada’mighty!”” Al McGurl snarled, ris- ing suddenly. — ‘“‘ Look’t him — there’s George!” : oO cS Eomichboo co