Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1914-01-29

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 WELL" 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 streamed a fresh body
of sight-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
- III ~ OuOWy leu
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; it's 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 %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 that of a slight
woman, dressed in a short skirt of
blue, and bodice of white satin. The
trimmings which a 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 WON
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,
| mean to have my money back" 81.
mon glowered.
Abbott stared in great p~erplexity.
Then who is she?" he exclaimed ISL
mon-doesn't she remind you of-of
some one WI know"
Nav. She's got on La Gonizetti's
dress, and her voice has the show
girls langy-tin-panny-whangdoodle
but Ilu . uII L lCSO6LILC.
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,
were Fran's very own. However, the
show-girls hands were as dark as an
Italians, while Fran's were-well, not
SO dark, at any rate.
Abbott's brow did not relax He
stood motionless, 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 from
espial, absorbed in each other, they
were able, thanks to the surrounding
clamor of voices, to discuss their flu
ture plans with some degree Of conf
dence.
Simon told Abbott-"Anyway, no
amateur would rub up against those
beasts, so l guess it's all right. They
amt but two lions; bill says ten;
man that wrote the bill was the other
eight, l reckon"
(To BE coNTINUED0