Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24


could just barely be seen, swaying. numbering
onward, and of a sudden it disappeared from
Flinders sight altogether. He called up an
extra ounce of strength and sprinted to over
take the animal, gasping as he rounded the
bend of the road, and slowing in surprise to find
himself almost on Toby's flank. Toby had
paused and stood swaying as if in doubt. Film
ders came to a walk, and then halted too, Civ
ing low cry of pleased establishment. He did
not apply the goad as he had intended. as he
had promised himself that he would. He
stopped beside Toby and rested hand on his
heaving side.
Are you all right, Bet?" he asked timidly:
but with his eyes staring before him, drinking
in the vision Toby's exploit had earned:
IAN right, Film, of course" she said, and
then, Isn't it great, Film? Isn't it finer"
The sun had withdrawn its gold from the
open fields, leaving them spread with misty
coverlid of purple shadows. Beyond. the sky
still flushed pale rose tint, hemmed by one
dark pennant of drifting cloud. And tightly
drawn against this screen, like vast silhouette,
were great gray tents, ranging their 1umpy
domes majestically, their center poles blackly
pointing skyward, the flags just stirring as
quiet signals of the evening, half asleep: Low
down to the ground, glinting from the belt OF
deepening shadow encircling the camp were
yellow lights winking welcome, and on the
breath of air came delicious aroma of coffee,
boiling, from the distant domain of his Majesty
the Cook.
1t was splendid vision painted in the dusk
Flinders scarcely dared breathe lest it fade away
entirely into the barren desolation of the fields.
But Toby had no such feeble suspicion. He
set up a wildly triumphant trumpeting and
would 60 back to it. to find that satisfying place
at the end of the big tent, to be with the herd
again! To Toby came no distressing thoughts
concerning his place in the world he had dis
covered. There were no differences in shows
to him; arrangements and exchequers were
He lad ten he
foolish fellow at his flank. Before him was life,
and he would seek his share of it!
A S stragglers from an army who near again
their comrades, they hurried down the
road toward the tents. Soon they turned into
the newly marked trail made by the heavy
wagons and crossed the turf to where the wide
entrance shone mellowly. A dozen figures
came to meet them.
What's all this?" called an authoritative
voice.
said flinders
why. it's Flinders the clown''
"Sure, and Flinders wonderful wife, also
one darned elephant that has sense enough for
dozen shows, " he answered, helping Bet down.
why. man, I've been wiring all over for you,
ever since Blake sold his outfit Say you're on
to stay with us. There's contract waiting"
II dunno" said Flinders doubtfully. How
about wrecked barn back in Wimbledon, an
a crazy hotel man that wants to Jail me?"
"Shucksl What's barn? Well give him
pass for it. Come along inside, the pair of
you. Oh, forgot-congratulatio And say.
would you note that animal minute?"
Toby had tired of formalities. No attention
had been shown him amid all the welcome,
though he had whimpered once or twice. Sol
EMMY he stalked forward into the big tent to
seek his kind. There was an uncompromising
lurch to his movement, as if he would tolerate
no question of his right and privilege. The God
of the Caravan was homel