The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1906-08-08
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1t was 10 O'Clock on a midsummer
day, and tn sunlight cast great gold
en- splashes on the disturbed, fouled
dust of the arena. The tiers of seats,
too, rising up and up, looked woefully
deserted and bare, and the canvas
sides and roof as they tapped and
bellied in the wind, stood out hid
eously black and soiled in the search
ing light.
Lubin and Babette were dressed as
angels or fairies and were waiting
with childish impatience to rehearse
their ascenling feat. They wore lit
tie wings to their backs, and Lubin
carried quiver of arrows slung on
his shoulders, such as Cupid wears.
A couple of workmen adjusted the
wires that should convey them
through the great slit in the roof,
down which at night the limelight
was to penetrate, and the ringmaster
rubbed his hands in a satisfied way
and condescended to laugh with his
subordinates, because he knew per-
fectly well that he had an excellent
effect in preparation that should de-
light and astonish his patrons.
Lubin was a stout boy of nine
His heart beat high at the thought of
his ascent, and, though probably en-
tertaining some misgivings, he as
sumed a stolid front and smiled
bravely, tapping his little pink legs
in the most casual manner with his
gilt bow.
Babette was only six. She had
golden hair dressed like the halos one
sees around the heads of saints, and
her eyes were humid and timid as
a does, and her limbs slender and
fragile, and easily bruised or broken.
She had no mother to stand by ant
comfort her; but Lubin, who had
vowed his love for her, placed one
arm around her waist and said:
See, Babette, we shall rise up to-
ward the sky, like angels in the pic
lures; and the people will clap their
hands and shout! And they will
throw us sweetmeats, and the ring
master will take you in his arms af-
terward and kiss ycI, and not use the
whip, for you and I will bring him
much money by our flying"
"Yes, Lubin," answered Babette,
shivering, "but it is long way up 10
the roof, and the wires may break"
mot bit cf it," retorted Lubin
stoutly. "See, will go up first, and
then you will feel sure"
The wires were held in readiness.
Nov, then, youngsters" said the
ringmaster, "up you go. Ha, ha,
ha! This shall be surprised"
Lubin stepped boldly forward, md
the hooks on the wires were fas.
tened to belt concealed in the folds
of his trunks. Thea the men above
pulled, and he sailed gracefully up-
ward; his little pink legs posed ele-
gantly, his arms held forward, and
his wings fluttering as if he really
few, so naturally and prettily that
the manager and these below cried
out, Fine! This is indeed fairy.
iike!"
When he was within three feet of
the roof, the ringmaster clapped his
hands, and down he came, and. being
unfastened, was sent off to dress
himself, with pat on his head and a
penny.
Now, Babette," said they, "you
come and try"
Babette was nervous, but fearing
the whip more than the fall, sub
mitted quietly enough. Up, up, up,
until she passed through the slit in
he roof and was basking in the real
sunshine outside.
Excellent, excellent" shouted the
manager. When Babette descended
she was rewarded with two pats on
the head and two pennies.
She rushed to tell the news to
Lubin. Il can fly higher than you,
Lubin," she said exultantly. 81 went
right through the slit in the roof
pnd Monsieur Claude gave me two
pennies, and l am not bit afraid. -
And she clapped her hands and
danced around her child lover in
great glee.
Bravo, Babette!" cried Lubin
proudly. II told you there was moth.
ing to fear"
"Ah! Lubin," she laughed, II car
ny higher than you-I can fly mucl
higher than you"
Then she kissed him, and he kissed
her, not in the least envious, and
they went out and shared their three
pennies in chocolates.
Night came, and the circus wa,
full. The two children eagerly ant
5oyfully looked forward to the limo
light ascent that was to conclude thu
fairy ballet. They danced in tn,
dance, they sang Justify in the chor