The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-05-12


TraxOn, advertising agent for the
Driscoll Paint Company, sitting on a
baggage truck and kicking his heels
disconsolately against the wheels,
glanced savagely at the gaudily paint
ed cars which filled the better part of
the yard of the small station and
from there across the fields to where
the tents of the Triple-Plate Allied
EhOws and Hippodrome reared their
white tops. 1t was early in the sea-
eon, and the canvas was still white,
sresh and billowy.
He was so comfortably occupied in
little he liked circuses that he failed
TO note smart pony rig drawing up
at the station platform. From this
descended an alert young man with
n clean shaven face that betrayed the
humorous upcurve of the lips, to
match the laugh wrinkles about the
clear eyes. 1t was not until the
glance of those kindly eyes espied
him that Traxon was reused from his
reperie and turned to look into Jim
Trennants face. Old friends were
these two.
"a penny for your thoughts" cried
TreHnant, manager of the Triple
Plate Allied Shows and Hippodrome
"Producel" Traxon held out his
hand and Trennant dropped copper
coin therein.
Il was thinking what an internal
nuisance you and your show are," ex-
planned Traxton. Want your money
Daekg'
Honesty is worth a penny, even If
Il is uncomplimentary," said Tren-
nant, with laugh. Whats the mat
Der with the Triple-Plate, Charlie?"
-JHst this" explained Charlie
TraNon. 81 land in this usually
peaceful burg to find that your show
is here. l want to get over to Mid
vale, and l can't get rig, livery or
prirate, until after you pull up stakes
and permit the town to return to its
normal somnolency."
IF you can't get to Midvale, come
and see the show" invited Trennant,
Hospitality. TITS bigger and better
than ever, and"
I've seen the small bills for fur
ther particulars" interrupted Traxon
}aughingly. Il don't think 1 can take
the show in because it's on very par
ficnlar business that / want to get
over to Midvale. Anne is over there"
Trennant nodded understandingly.
How do you prosper?" he asked.
he knew of Traxon's love for Mrs.
Blaine. AS Anne Caswell she had
been engaged to Traxon until a low
er's quarrel had separated the pair,
and then she had married Blaine only
to find out when it was too late that
wounded pride and not love had
urged her to accept the new suitor.
Things are not going WE'LL" said
Traxon, dolefully. when poor
Blaine died l thought there was
chance to win Anne back, but she is
afraid of what the children will
think. They are just of an age when
they are beginning to understand
things, and she is afraid of the effect
. gtepfather will have on them.
Il have never seen them; there's
boy and girl, but I'm to make
visit on approval, and If the children
take to Newell, you may have an
opportunity to dream on bit CT bride
cake, Jim.
The trouble is that I'm deathly
afraid of the children and I'm certain
can't make hit, particularly as
I've got to walk over there while
this whole town is circus mad, and
there's not conveyance to be had
IN not make very good impression
after ten-mile walk"
Trennant cast glance at the trim
uptown wagon used by the circus
people for errands about town. The
ponies could never make the ten
miles there and back. Then he
grinned as he glanced at his watch.
Il can help you out" began Tren-
nant- IF you don't mind the vehicle
being trifle-er-gaudy."
'I'll go over in lions den or as
one Of the happy family" declared
Traxon. tits Hobson's choice"
It's not as bad as that" assured
Trennant. 1--WE are short of live
stock just now, and we use every bit
Of horseflesh in the Wild West act.
But there is an automobile band cha
not we use in the parade. If you'll
come over to the lot, I'll have you
fzken out to Midvale as soon as the
auto is out-of the entree."
A warm grip was Traxon's only an
sver, but Trennant led the way to the
Telegraph Office, and, after sending a
couple of dispatches, he made for the
lIttle pony cart.
He came upon the lot from the
Esnr. thus avoiding the crowds grad
uaEy reduced to the comparative few
uho, lacking the price Of admission
we're hanging about the grounds
From within the tent came the blare
II brass and the hum Of the cheering
crowds, as Trennant led the way into
the dressing tent.