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


mental side OF the rugged life the cir
Gus nomads must lead. Here and
there in the moving throng could be
singled out interesting pairs who
moved more leisurely than did most OF
their companions.
Yank Hawkins made free with his
position as an irresponsible atom
among the rest by shouting q taunt TO
some of the laggards whom he passed
in his rush for the "cook house"
Come on. Corkey; take hold of her
hand and run with her. She needs
her cakes more than she does your
soft talk" bawled Yank to one OF the
acrobats. And you. FLIP; that's good
advice for you. too"
But Flip paid no heed Too deeply
was he immersed Id his own thoughts
OF the fast-approaching hour when he
must part from La Belle. the famous
animal queen, who walked silently by
his side.
All season these two-F1ip. the ia.
nous clown and La Belle La Sieur--
had sought each others company early
every morning when the train pulled
into town. and they were seldom apart
for many moments OF the day until
time came to seek their berths when
the circus started on its all-night run.
Flip was sad with the thoughts that
came in realizing how soon he must
part from the girl whom he had grown
to love 30 dearly, despite an insur-
mountable barrier that stood between
them.
La Belle La Sieur was distressed In
heart and mind with the memories re-
called by their arrival in this quaint
old southern city where. two years
I previously. she had made the great
and grave mistake of consenting to
marriage with man she did not love
and had since learned to loathe.
II was right here in this old south
ern town that she had narrowly es-
capped death, when the circus she first
travelled with had closed its season,
Just as THE Worlds Greatest Show
was then closing it's season the day
Flip and Ia Belle became the central
flgures In the present story.
Doctor Lund was called to attend
her. He devoted more than physi-
clans care to the circus girl, and after
she had recovered he prevailed upon
her TO meet him In ST. Louis and be
secretly married.
But the previously attentive doctor
failed to become an equally attentive
husband. and was content TO have her
travel with the circus and make her
own way--while he paid infrequent
visits TO her, and then only when II
was most convenient and agreeable
TO himself. The wife played. in his
life. a role OF minor Importance.
The day passed for Flip, La Belle
and the rest OF the circus folk Just as
every day had been spent since THE
Worlds Greatest Show" began its
tour.
Dinner over. the rush OF the after
noon show was on. And then came
the pleasantest hour OF oil the circus
day for everybody with the show
the quiet and care-free interim be
tween the afternoon and evening per
formances.
Ladies' and gentlemen. your atten
ton. for one moment. please" rams
out the stentorian voice OF the AN
nouncer." I'VE now present as the
browning feature OF our performance
Mile. La Belle La Sieur, with her der
OF ferocious tigers. Dimples. Babe and
Beauty. Mile. La Sieur will now en-
terrain you with the most thrilling and
death-defying exhibition OF contro
over these wild and savage beasts
ever presented before the eyes of NOR
tai mani"
The band belched forth blare Of
fantastic harmony, La Belle La Sieul
bounded into the ring.
Look out for Dimples." said Yanl
Hawkins in hurried undertone as he
held safe the short run" that led Il
the cage door. she's been acting
ugly ever since the afternoon show
when you gave her the iron for hel
meanness"
La Belle seemed not to hear-ther'
was no time to think. no desire 4
heed anything save the wild rush o
the three great beasts as she quickly
sprang through the door. and !
was slammed behind her.
Flip had for that one Right donne'
} the uniform OF property man ant
| stood. as one transfxed. close be
side the cage. in the fascination OF tn
! moment
. So many times had Flip watches
i La Belle work her big cats" durin
the season that he knew every NOV
I that was TO be made during the act b
} girl and beasts-and he knew. befor
: the door had fairly snapped shut bt
D hind the fearless maiden, that some
thing was dangerously wrong.
: Crack! Snap! C-r-r-ack.-La Bell
flashed the whip under the noses {
j Babe and Beauty.
!. Dimples crouched low In corne
r where che had never been known I