Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-11-27

|
a platoon Of chorus ladies. screaming
for vengeance. With them was Violet
Warden. all doled up as a lion tanner
1t took all Of Walllngford's persuasive.
ness to rescue Elias.
That was full Of women dressingr'
painted Mr.. Bogger. What did you
shove me in there forT"
| Didn't they know you were the pro-
prletor?' inquired ]. Rufus in astonish-
ment.
Come over to the big top" invited
Blackie. Erred Brstols going to try
out new flying trapeze act before the
performance" and he led the way.
| The main tent was big and high and
dim and mysterious. with its one torch
lighted Away up In the dome tiny
trapeze swung on long strands, which,
from the ground, looked like spider
webs. Upon a little shelf, far away,
stood a slender, graceful man in pink
tights, and from either side Of the shelf
stretched down long ropes A man
with coat and trousers on over his
tights hurried up to Bogger and hand
ed him rope.
Here, pal" he said; hold this line,
will your and he thrust 1t into Bog
gers hands. Get good grip ON it,"
The pink clad acrobat upon the high
shelf drew the trapeze far across and
up to him with a tape. All at once
there came a mighty tug at the rope
Bogger was holding, and it was Jerked
from his clasp. A cry of horror burst
from the throats of score Of circus
attaches, and down, down through the
dusty air OF the big tent, with its rows
upon rows of dismally empty benches
came whlrllng and sprawling a pink
figure! A shrlek burst from the pallid
lips Of Bogger as 1t thudded upon the
ground The circus men, mostly aero
bats, rushed to the spot where the pink
figure lay, conceallng 1t from view.
There was piercing Shrek from n
woman near the entrance.
"This way outW and Walllngford
showed Bogger, running ahead Of him,
to an opening and thrust him through
Bogger had run third of the length
of this inclosure before he realized that
he was once more in the women's dress.
ing tent, and then the faces of the
furies spurred him on to such speed
as his legs had never yielded In his life.
There was but one logical end to such
blind speed, and that was stumble
A little drainage ditch got him and
laid him low to listen to the beating OF
his heart and imagine that trip ham,
mer noise to be the patter of pursuing
feet. Wallingford and Blackle Daw
caught up with him presently. helped
him with kind and comforting words,
when sad procession filed out of the
main tent. Four men bore stretcher.
upon which was limp form, covered,
by the irony which was chance, with
one Of the broad red ribbons over which
bareback riders jump, Quite number
OF men with bowed heads followed IL
down to the railroad siding, where the
circus sleeping cars stood.
ut looks bad" said Wallingford;
very, very bad! don't know whether
the man isis dead or not, but in any
event you're up against It, Bogger.
Fred Bristol is one of the best high
trapeze men in the business, and It
means fifty thousand dollar damage
suit, which you'n probably lose"
Where is he. Where is he!" below
ed a bull-like voice from out Of the
darkness. 1t was the voice Of the big
lion tanner husband of pretty bare
back rider.
Circus, circus!" moaned Bogger. 81
wouldn't be proprietor of circus for
a million dolarsp
you'll have to be the proprietor"
said Wallingford coldly. Its a legal
ly binding transfer, and you're lucky
II you don't have manslaughter against
you as well as damage suit"
Where is he!" again beloved Texas
Ed out Of the darkness.
Please, Mr.. Sears, please, / beg Of |
you, let me out Of this!" pleaded Bog. |
ger, with qulvers of terror in his voice.
"Take back your bill of sale and give
me my money. Pleased"
"And stand this damage suit my
self2' inquired Wallingford, with scorn.
81 should say not. A sale is a sale"
Again the voice from the darkness,
this time nearer. Bogger jumped.
I'm discount It," he offered, "only
get me away from here! III give you
anything you sayp
Right outside is buggy" said Wal
lingford. "Ill jump you in that and
take you to town as soon as we come
to terms. III take your bill of sale and
tear 1t up and give you $4,000 and
deny that you were the proprietor when
you held that rope"
"Ten thousand dollars!" exclaimed
Bogger "Ten thousand dollars It's
robberyw
There's that damage suit Walling-
ford reminded him.
"You may win It," protested Bogger
"Give me forty thousand and I'll set
tie It."
"Here he ISL yelled wallngford
loudly to the angry husband some.
where In the darkness.
Don't! For heavens sake. don't!
Bogger half sobbed Here's your bill
of sale! Give me the money! Now,