Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-01-30

merit. Bill Berrill was the clown, and
a good clown he was. Everyone said
that up in London or any of the big
towns Bill-"Little Bandy," as he was
christened on the bills-could have
made three times the money. But Bill
preferred to remain with Levants -
and near Rosie.
Leo Corello was the lion tanner. The
man who had held the post ever since
| Levants first took the road was dead.
Leo came over from the continent after
the vacancy. He gave a rehearsal, and
was offered the post on the spot. But
the salary was too low. Leo prepared to
| return. Then he saw Rosie-and
stayed. With all the troupe Rosie was
favorite. When her mother had died,
company had held solemn meeting to
decide as to her fate. The manager
solved the problem.
"We're none of us rich enough to
adopt her entirely" said he. "We'l
limit the liability, and collectively act
as her parents Rosie shall be the
daughter of the troupe"
AS it was his own idea that had Sc.
cured Rosie to the troupe, old Ted Pass
more, the manager, had been informal
ly constituted her guardian. And one
rule that he made was: "No getting
engaged or anything of that sort till
she's 20 and knows her own mind"
1t was on the very day that she at
tanned her score of years that Bill Ber-
rill made his formal application for her
hand. Thankful he was that the time
had arrived. Leo Corello had grown to
be veritable nightmare to him. Net
that he doubted Rosie-the truest little
girl man could love. But the lion
tamer's growing admiration was so
very ardent that Bill felt all the easier
when she was promised to him. For,
of course, the application was granted,
That evening Leo Corello was in
grand form. They were performing in
one of the most important towns on
their list, and the circus was packed.
Leo outdid himself. Unarmed, without
even whip or stick, he played with his
Lions as IL they had been kittens, and
sent cold shivers through his audience
with his intrepidity
isn't he splendid!" It was Rosie
herself who said so.
The clown, standing beside her,
frowncd.
Fate has given him O better part
than mere fooling to make people
laugh" said he, with touch of bitter.
ness in his tones. "Do you admire him
SO very much?"
Rosie turned. Her cheeks reddened
with her indignation. She held out the
hand on which glistened the ring he had
just given her.
"You haven't much faith in me-" she
said, her pretty face looking panied.
I'VE shan't be very happy together after
all if you are jealous because give
brave man his due"
Forgive me, Rosie!" exclaimed the
clown fervently, as he kissed her hand,
and, hearing the bell, bounded into the
ring.
Then came Leos chance. "Little
Bandy's" turn was long one. As the
thunders of applause subsidized the lion.
tanner moved to where the clown had
stood beside her. His flashing eyes
glowed with excitement as he asked:
mile. Rosie, how was thnt?"
"Splendid!" said Rosie, again.
"Do you know why?" asked he, as,
delighted to hear her words, he came.
closer to her. 81 was thinking of you,
and love made me laugh at lions"
"Sig. Corello, you must not talk to
me like that"
And, playfully, she held out her hand
once more to show her ring, and point
ed archly to the man in the sawdust
circle.
Leo's face darkened
"Have you given yourself to thatp"
he sneered, looking contemptuously In
the direction of the grotesque figure
posturing in the ring, and added: 81
love you. Twill leave here to make more
money. Soon l can have circus of my
own. You shall be its mistress, with no
need to work, carriage to ride in, and
everything else your heart can want.
Throw over this clown. Think of all
that am offering to you. Mile. Rosie
be my wife!"
Rosie Marion, her eyes shining,
stepped back from him, shaking her
head.
THANK you very much, Sig. Corello,
for your magnificent offer. I decline
It,"
"You want your tackle left up after
the performance is over, so that you may
practice in the morning? Only mind
what you're doing, Bill Berrill. This
1nff 4,,,, Al. l.. =.
bit more dangerous than clowning,
and now it's fixed we don't want your
wedding day postponed"
So said Teddy Passmore. The clown
promised to be cautious, and in the
nlorning repaired to the circus to have
turn on the ropes,
Rosie was waiting for him. Proflta-
BILE as it was, she had dread of this
new item that her lover had added to his
repertoire, and SO went with him, $50