The Washington herald., 1913-05-11

put new llic iitO H1C-HSIC! Oct your
ticket in a jiffy, or all the seats'll be
taken. You can't stand there like that
give me your quarter, l know how
to jump in and. get first place. That
ticket-agent knows me; I've been in
FIVE times"
From a high platform before the
black tent, voice came through a
megaphone: "The Big Show. The BIG
Show. See those enormous lions rid
ing in baby carriages while La Conf
zetti makes other lions dance the fam
dango to her violin. See those"
Here, Abbott, follow!' called the
breathless Simon Jefferson. "Of course
we'll see what's there-no use listening
to him, like an introduction in novel
OF SCOTS. telling it all first. Oh,
you've got to squeeze your way in,"
ne continued. Gust mash 'em endwise
II they stand gawking in your way.
You follow me-"
Abbott laughed aloud at Simon's
agility as they pushed their way under
the tent.
"Uh-huh, now see thatr groaned
Simon reproachfully, as he looked
about. Every seat taken. | tell YOU,
you've got to lift up your feet TO get
into this show. Well, hang on to the
rope-don't let anybody gouge YOU out
of standing room"
At least two-third of the space under
the tent was taken up by tiers of seats
formed of thin, and apparently fragile,
blue planks, springy to the foot and
deafening to the ear. From hardened
ground to fringed tent-ceiling, these
overlapping rows of narrow boards
were Drumming with men, women and
children who, tenacious of their hold
ings, seemed each to contain in his
pockets the feet of him who sat i'm
mediately behind. AT any rate, no feet
were visible; all was one dense mass OF
faces. shoulders, women's hats, and
babies held up for air.
The seats faced an immense cage
which rose almost to the roof. As yet,
it was empty, but smaller adjoining
cages promised an animated arena
when the signal should be given.
Gregory and Grace Noir had sought
refuge on the highest seat, where they
might overlook the crowd; here, with
heads bent forward as if to avoid the
canvas. they hoped to escape observa-
ton Thanks to the influx of country
folk, Littleburg citizens were rarely to
be seen at such shows until later and
more fashionable hour Gregory was
relieved to find his topmost plank filled
with strangers.
"All goes weii," he said, pressing
Grace's hand Nobody will find 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
SON" He was too amazed to think OF
concealment.
Hush! Yes-and Abbott Ashton
Gregory pulled his hat over his eyes.
! Into the tent streancd fresh body
of sightseers. Simon, swinging to the
rope that was stretched in front of the
big cage. grumbled at being elbowed
! by weary mothers and broad-chested
| farmers. He told Abbott, The lions
are the only ones that have plenty of
room | wish there was a cage for me.
But IT'S worth being damned to see
La Gonizetti-she's pretty as they're
made and she's pretty all over, and she
| don't care who knows it. Now the
first half is about to begin, but its
Just bears and clowns; don't get fooled.
though. La Confetti will come
later. Q. K"
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 sharpcned interest III
what was to come, whetting the mind
upon jokes blunter than the intelligence
| of the audience Even the band ceased
playing though that had not seemed
| possible; its depressing andantinos 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 quivering vitality communicated
electric thrills Even the clowns moved
less like treadmill horses. as they took
their stations at the smaller cages, wait
ing 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 short silk SKIRT
of blue, and bodice of white satin. The
trimmings which ran IN all directions,
were rich in pendents of gold and
rubies. Above all, there was the ailur-
ing mystery of a crimson mask which
effectually hid the wonans face.
Simon whispered into Abbott's al
WAYS unready ear, That isn't La Conf
zetti. Wonder what this means? La
Confetti is much more of a woman
than this one. and she doesn't wear
mask. or much of anything else. La
| Confetti doesn't care who sees her.
Whv. this is nothing but mere-I tell
YOU now. if she amt on to her job, |
mean to have my money back" Simon
glowered.
Abbott stared in great perplexity.
Then who is she?" he exclaimed.
"Simon-doesn't she remind you Of
of some one we know"
Nav. She's got on La Confetti
dress, and her voice has the show
girls clangy-tin spanny whangdoodle,
but that's all / recognize"
Abbott wondered that Simon failed
to notice the similarity between the
show-girps movements and those OF
Fran. This woman had Fran's form.
To be sure the voice was entirely dit
ferent. but the rapidity and decisive
ness of action, and the air OF author
ity, were Fran's very own. However
the show-girrs hands were as dark a. a,
an Italians, while Fran's were-weii'
not so dark, at any rate. ~,
Abbott's brow did not relax ne
stood motionless, staring at everything
before him with painful intentness.