The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1916-09-15

Peg had not put in an appearance, as
she usually did. to greet him before
she began dressing for the ring. I'm
nerved and apprehensive because OF
the unusual things that had lately
transpired Flip decided to investigate.
When he stepped from the tent he
was startled by the excited cry Of
Fire." that came to his ears with ter
rifyins effect.
Peg, Peg, my girl, where are your
Flip shouted as he dashed to the en-
trance Of the women's dressing tent.
Fire! Fire. Fire."
The dread cry was passed along
from mouth to mouth. In an instant
the alarm had spread to every part OF
the show lot, and Don reached the in
terror OF the big top" where the as
sembled audience echoed the frightful
call.
Wild disorder transformed the scene
into p~andemonium. The crowds
rushed, panic-stricken, from the main
tent and thronged over the circus
grounds. Employees OF the show hur-
llSuiy hiSA III poNA
ct brigades" in an effort to quench
the flames.
With the first cry OF alarm. the ami
NAL men-keepers, trainers and
huskies-set about moving the cars
and as speedily as possible they were
dragged away from the menagerie tent
and the big top.
y, III %Io ava;+or,~-% nDn~ WIN IiC-
tracted with apprehension and fear for
Pegs safety, rushed around half mad,
and had it not been for his friendly
associates he would have lost his
wardrobe.
Searching high and low among the
burning tents, dashing in amid the
flames, he was continually calling for
Peg, his dread increasing momentar-
lily. When the show people were able
to get some order out of confusion, and
as the flames died away because there
was nothing more to consume, the per
formers repaired to the circus train,
while the workingmen continued to
move the show property that was
saved froEa the lot to the cars.
Flip had q faint hope OF finding Peg
CT the train, grasping at tie straw Of
! possibility that she had made her way
to the sleeper during the confusion on
the lot. But the old clown was doomed
TO disappointment ana his grief was
pitiful Us he ran through the sleepers
calling for Peg and searching in every
berth available Tor signs OF his little
girl.
Having enlisted the other perform
ers il the fruitless search, Flip left
the show train, determined to return
to the circus grounds in another
neager hope of finding Peg.
Meanwhile events had been strange
~ shaping themselves within & stones
throw Of the circus grounds and Pegs
!. peril was constantly increasing. The
burning of the circus provided a cloak
for some dastardlv deeds.
When young Lund hauled the ward.
robe chest containing Peg from the
strength held out, to drag his burden
toward the street which passed along
the back of the lot.
The show grounds were fenced in
on this side, and toward a gate in the
fence Lund hauled Peg in the heavy
chest. 1t was slow work and extreme
" laborious, Lund's experience in the
dense smoke, SO quickly following his
attack by Chockro, SO weakened the
young doctor that he gradually sue
curnbed to the strain.
lust as he had dragged the chest
half through the open gate in the
fence his strength completely failed
him and he fell s~enseless across the
wardrobe box. Here he was discov-
cred by a policeman who, attracted by
the fire, came running up the street
bound for the burning circus.
Seeing the helpless young Luild ly'
ing on the wardrobe chest the officer
concluded that there was work for him
to do Immediately, and, without pro.
ceeding to the fire, he raised Lund in
his strong arms and carried him down
the street. Arriving at a patrol box,
he rang for an ambulance and sent
Lund to the hospital.
The policeman had not proceeded
with his burden half a block until four
rough-looking characters came run
ming across the street, on their way
to tne fire. They emerged from g
, lumber yard directly opposite the
: show grounds, and headed for the
gate.
Hello! What's dis?" said the bury
/ leader Of the pack Of ruffians as he
ran smack into the wardrobe chest
, standing halfway through the gate.
dis looks worth while. Let's swipe
. it. and they proceeded to swipe.
: The four men raised the wardrobe
chest to their shoulders and, without
) further comment, started with it hur
r riedly across the street II entered
E the lumber yard.
r Frequently hating to rest the heavy
box on piles Of lumber, while they
5 took a breathing spell, the thugs pro
ceeded through the lumber yard unit
they reached a house, old and rather
dilapidated in it's exterior. But inside