The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-10-17


the boy into partial wakeful-
ness.
Get up," said Grinaldi.
-What are you doing here"
The lad would have rushed away
into the darkness behind him had it
not been for the restraining grip on
his arm. He felt himself being drag
ged into the stuffy, mysterious vesti-
bule of the tent, into plain view of Il
half dozen vividly attired persons. al
most under the feet of stoiid, gayly
caparisoned horses wearing the great
back pads.
He was not dreaming-hc was In
the dressing tent of the circus, envcl-
oped by the dull, magic atmosphere
that comes In the smoke of burning
oils, an atmosphere that is never to
be found outside the low walls Of
dressing tent.
His bewildered gaze took in the
horses. the boxes, the trunks, the ring
paraphernalia. the properties the
discarded uniforms OF attendants. cast
in apparent confusion here. there and
everywhere. Somehow as he stared
this conglomerate mass of unfamiliar
things seemed to creep away into the
black shadows he had not perceived
before. The drab dome Of the tent
began to swirl above his head like Il
merry-go-round. The lights danced
and then went out.
Grinaldl, the clown, caught him in his
arms as he slipped forward in IL faint.
When he regained consciousness he
was lying on a thick, dusty mattress.
his head pillowed on a bundle Of cloth
that smelled of cotton and dyestuffs.
Faces emerged from the gloom around
him. Some one was holding torch
over his strange couch. He tried to
raise himself to his elbow. Some one
supported him from behind. AS he
turned his head to thank this person
1t was with difficulty that he rcprcsscd
q cry Of alarm. The being who braced
him with friendly arms was II glitter
ing shiny thing of green with II hui
man face that leered upon him.
Grinaldi laughed.
He's not boa constructor. lad
He's the boneless wonder He's as
gentle as spring lamb and not 'arf
as tough. Signor Anaconda, the hu
man snake-thats wot he's called on
the bills. Ed Caseys is real name"
"Aw, cheese 1t, Joey" growed the
amiable signor. Say. young feller,
what's ailing your Where'd you come
from:"
The stranger in this curious world
faced his audience, Il sudden warincss
in his eyes. Before vcnturing ii word
of explanation, he allowed his gaze to
sweep the entire group. There We're
men in tights and women in tights
In pink and rcd and green and blue
some of them still painting and breath
less. after their pcrilous work in the
ring. He took them ali in at Il glance.
but his eyes rested ut last on the one
figure that seemed out of place in this
motley crowd: the tall. graceful figure
OF the woman in street clothes. he
looked long at the sweet. gentle. un-
painted face of this woman and drew
his first deep breath of relief and hope
when she smiled. She moved quickly
through the crowd of acrohais and rid
ers followed close behind by the slim.
wide eyed girl in the long rcd cloak.
What has happened" asked the tall
woman gently. Have you-have You
run away from home, my boy:
How long have ! been here" There
was a suggestion of alarm in the alb
rupt question.
His voice uueruluuS through excite
nlcnt, was quite strong and musical.
The tone and his manner of addressing
the Quesloncr proved beyond contra
dirtiou that he waS no ordinary tramp.
or show follower. such rs they were IN
the habit of seeing in their travels. y
dozen fine old Virginia gentlemen. per.
hupS. one after another. had lived and
died before him: down tina, precious
line of blood had come the strain that
makes for the finished Thoroughbred
the real Virginia aristocrat.
You tainted ten minutes ago. Are
Won feeling better now: Give him some
brandy. one of YOU. How wet you are
You must lave come far.
He watched her face all the time she
wns speaking. No sign of trust or con
ti,Icuce came into his own rs the result
of her kiud,iness. Instead. the wari
EpSS grew.
"Only across the mountain he said
slcciutlv. I've been out in the rain
ma'am." he yuuchsatcd.
uc had never been 50 close to mc'
,,d women in tights before. The
fluffy. abbreviated tarlatan skirts "l
two women bareback riders who sf"ot
not more Vlon two yards ava! scrn'cI