"
She was desperate now, and trading upon a strength beyond her
own.
He looked at her with momentary indecision. She WAS a good
rider--the best since her mother, as he had often told her. He
could see this meant an issue. He felt she would be on her
mettle to-morrow, as far as her work was concerned, if he left
her alone to-night.
"All right," he said, sullenly. "Yer can stay off to-night. I
got the crowd in there, anyway, and I got their money. I'll let
Eloise do a turn on Barbarian, but TO-MORROW you'd better show me
your old act."
"I'll show you!" she cried. "I'll show you!"
"Well, see that you do." He crossed into the ring.
Polly stood where Barker had left her, white and tense. Jim came
toward her from the direction of the wagons. He glanced at her
uneasily. "What's he been a-sayin' ter you?"
"He says I can't ride any more." Her lips closed tightly. She
stared straight ahead of her. "He says I was no good to the
people that took me in, and I'm no use here."
"It's not so!" thundered Jim.
"No; it's not!" she cried. "I'll show him, Jim! I'll show
him--to-morrow!" She turned toward the dressing tent; Jim caught
her firmly by the wrist.
"Wait, Poll! You ain't ever goin' into the ring a-feelin' THAT
WAY.
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