The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-07-07

with all the townsfolk.
Once on the road with her. the
knowledge came to Flip the first night
of their travels that nature had played
freakish trick with the child-tne
revelation almost shocked Flip INTO
spasms of grief
The circus people had safely board
ed the train after their opening snow
Flip was sitting near the door OF the
sleeper. holding little Peg on his lap
and regaling her childish fancy withe
bedtime stories.
Flip knew by the moving train that
1t was Just twelve o'clock, for that
was the time they were called" as
the last moment to catch the train.
AS he gently rocked the child, she
seemed to fall sweetly to sleep.
But suddenly the little body straight
ened out, as in spasm. The little
hands began to claw at F1ip's face and
he imagined he heard subdued growl
that reminded him of nothing SO much
as the snarl of tiger.
In fash, Flip realized the terrible
truth that to the little girl heredity
had strangely impaired something OF
the nature of the tiger that had twice
attacked La Belle, finally sending her.
mangled and bleeding. to her untimely
death
Logically the secret was Flip's alone.
When, in few moments, the little
one had recovered from her strange
condition, Flip had opportunity to con-
clude what he should do.
BY close observation. Flip discov-
cred that every night, at exactly
twelve o'clock, she took these strange
spasms. And finally he recalled that
they had told him at the hospital that
the little one had come into the world
at just the stroke of midnight.
When the flaming bills went up IN
the town where Peg was born, an
nouncing the arrival, early in the
season, OF 1.-THE Worlds Greatest
Show" there was no end Of mild ex-
citement among the hundreds who
knew Flip, and recalled the story of
his little girl
The seasons passed and THE
Worlds Greatest Show" was once
more billed for Flip and Pegs
home town" This time the billboards
were gay with pictures of Pretty
Peg o. the Ring" who was now the
premier equestrienne of the show.
They will show you the time OF
your life today" said Flip to Peg that
morning as they arrived. 'You will
be the great society belle of the town
for this one day, anyhow"
And sure enough Flip's words came
true. The usual excitement of circus
day was everywhere apparent, and as
giving an added note Of gayety to the
occasion everybody was talking about
the garden party Doctor Lund had ar.
ranged for that evening after the
show.
The stately Lund mansion was gay
with light.
Out in the spacious grounds there
was brilliant illumination, with gay
festoons of electric lights, done in fan
tastic drapings among the spreading
branches of the trees.
Peg. of course, had been the first tc
be presented to Doctor and Mrs. Lund
and their handsome son. She was
dressed in becoming simplicity, and
there was none who saw her who
could blame young Doctor Lund fol
casting admiring glances upon the
sweetly pretty circus girl.
, The elder Lunds watched proceed
ings with evident concern. The
thoughts that were running madly
through Doctor Lund's brain would
have, If made known, created a sensa
ton among the society folk who were
in attendance. IN Peg he saw the liv
ing image of his neglected and deat
wife-La Belle, the beautiful lion ia
mer he had so heartlessly deserted.
Young Lund and Peg, oblivious tc
everything and everybody but the hap
piness they were both experiencing
danced together or chatted the while
, thoroughly content in each others so
ciety.
, This is like heaven to me-" sale
Peg joyously.
, We'll, I'm satisfied with earth. Jus
now, without thinking of the future
/ said Lund; and the steady gaze of ad
miration that he directed upon he
pretty face made Peg lower her eyes
/. with coy modesty, while her cheeks
! were diffused with becoming bushes
You bear your honors with cas-,
: grace" said Lund, at another time
, ITO be famous favorite with the puh
, lie is a fine, achievement" he con
: tinued.
But how much better 1t is to b.
. a benefactor to humanity like you ar
J. with your brilliant knowledge of med
4 cine, science and invention" Peg re
r piled, her look of admiration undis
!. guised.
We'll, it's all the way you ar
t brought up. Father has won grea
Il fame in his day. but he has practicau
J. retired now, and depends upon m
/, to carry on his work.