Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-01-23

black tent before which they had
paused.
WELL" Simon reluctantly conceded,
"n-n-no, she wasn't to say killed-bu.
d~readfully bruised up. Abbott, very
painful. l saw it all; this carnival has
put new life into me-herel Get your
ticket in a jiffy. or all the seats'll be
taken. You can't stand there like that
give me your quarter, / 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, a voice came through a
m~egaphone: THE Big Show. The
Big Show. See those enormous lions
riding in baby carriages while La Con
izetti makes other lions dance the
fandango to her violin. See those
Here, Abbott. followl" called the
breathless Simon Jefferson. "Of course
Well see what's there-no use listen
ing to him, like an introduction In a
novel of Scott's telling it all first. You
follow me-"
Abbott laughed aloud at Simon's
ability as they pushed their way I'M
der the tent.
"Uh-huh. now see thatl" groaned
Simon reproachfuIly, as he looked
about. Every seat taken. l tell you,
you've got to lift 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-thirds of the space UNI
der 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-ceil-
ing, these overlapping rows of narrow
boards were trimming with men. wom-
en- and children who, tenacious of
their holdings, seemed each to con-
tain in his pockets the feet of him who
sat Immediately behind.
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 a later
and mor fashionable hour. Gregory
was relieved to find his topmost plank
alled with strangers.
"All goes WELL" he said, pressing
Grace's hand. Nobody will find out
that we have beer 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-
soni" He was too amazed to think OF
~concealment.
Flush! Yes-and Abbott Ashton"
Gregory pulled his hat over his
eyes.
Into the tent streamed a fresh body
of s~ight-seers. 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.
The band entered and squatted upon
blue boxes in one corner. Snowy red
coats were removed in Difference to
s~weltering 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 intelli-
gence of the audience. Even the band
ceased playing though that had not
seemed possible; its depressing an.
d%antinos 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 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 hat of a slight
woman, dressed in a short skirt of
blue, and bodice of white satin. The
trimmings which ran in all directions,
were rich in pendants of gold and
rubies. Above all, there was the al
Turing mystery of a crimson mask
which effectually hid the woman's
face.
Simon whispered into Abbott's al
ways unready ear: THAT isn't La
Confetti. Wonder what this means?
La Confetti is much more of a wom-
an than this one, and she doesn't wear
a mask, or much of anything else. La
Confetti doesn't care who sees her.
Why. this is nothing but a mere-I
tell you now, If she amt on to her job,
/ near to have my money back" ST.