The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-09-25

folk, Littleburg citizens were rarely
TO be seen at such shows until a later
and more fashionable hour. Gregory
was relieved to find his topmost plank
filled with strangers.
All goes we'll" he said, pressing
Grace's hand. Nobody will fad out
that We have been in here"
Watch for Mr.. Clinton" Grace
counseled cautiously If he comes
in, stoop lower"
They're all strangers, Grace. Provi-
dence is with us-there's Simon Jeffer-
som" He was too amazed TO think OF
concealment.
Hush! Ies-and Abbott Ashton"
Gregory pulled his hat over his
! eyes.
Into the tent streamed fresh tody
of sight-seers. Simon, swinging to the
rope that was stretched in front Of the
big cage, grumbled at being elbpwed
by weary mothers and broad-chested
] farmers.
/ The band entered and squatted upon
blue boxes in one corner. Snowy red
coats were removed in Difference to
sweltering heat. and melody presided
in undress. Three bears, two clowns
and a bicycle sharpened interest in
what was to come. whetting the mind
upon jokes blunter than the inteIli-
! gence of the audience. Even the band
ceased playing though that had no.
seemed possible; its depressing an
dantinos had not only subdued the
bears, rendering them as harmless as
kittens, but had mournfully depressed
the audience.
Into this atmosphere OF tanned inert
ness suddenly flashed a little figure
whose quiverng vitality communi-
Gated electric thrills. Even the clowns
moved less like treadmill horses. as
they took their stations at the smaller
cages, waiting to lift the gates that
would admit the restless lions into the
central cage.
The form that had appeared one
knew not Whence-was that OF slight
woman, dressed in a short skirt of
blue, and bodice of white satin The
trimmings which ran in all directions.
] Ntt' lIAE4 III kNIhCi4tS vi BOlu anu
rubies. Above all. there was the al.
Turing mystery OF a crimson rA,sk
which efiectually hid the woman S
face
Simon whispered INFO Abbotts al
ways unready ear: THAT ism; La
Confetti. Wonder what this means?
La Confetti is much more of WON
an than this one. and Lhe doesn't wear
a mask. or much of anything else La
Confetti doesn't care who sees her
Why this is nothing but a mcre-I
tell you now, If she amt on to her Job,
mean to have my money back" ST
mon glowered
Abbott stared in great perplexity
Then who is she?" he exclaimed ST
mon-doesn't she remind you ot-of
some one we know"
Nav. She's got on La Gonizetti's
dress. and her voice has the show
girls clangy-tin panny- whangdoodle
but that's all recognize"
Abbott wondered that Simon failed
to notice the similarity between the
shOw-girls movements and those of
Fran. This woman had Fran's form
To be sure the voice was entirely diff
ferent, but the rapidity and decisive
ness OF action. and the air OF authority,
We're Fran's very own. However. the
show-eirl's hands were as dark as an
Italian S, while Fran's werewolf. not
so dark. at any rate.
Abbott's brow did not relax He
stood moConless, staring at every
thing before him with painful intent
ness.
Up near the roof. Gregory and
Grace scarcely observed the entrance
Of the lion-tamer. Secured rom
esrial, absorbed in each other, they
were able. thanks to the surrounding
clamor OF voices, to discuss th-ir flu
ture plans with some degree of conf.
dence
Simon told Abbott anyway no
amateur would rub up against hose
beasts, so | guess it's all right. They
amt but two lions; bill says len:
man that wrote the bill was the other
eight, reckon "
ITO PIE CnNTINT-EnA