The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1916-11-17

There was a crowd Of the Perform.
ers assembled in one OF the dressin.
tents, when Chockro entered and rea,!
to them the contents of Mrs. Lund's
letter.
When Chockro had left the dress
ing tent, to assert his authority In
o'her departments and sections Of the
show, Flip made a little speech to the
performers who gathered around him.
I'm an old man, and I've been a
long time with this show" said Flip.
Never mind about this new change
in management. It's really none Of our
business, and all we have to do is
give u performance, and earn our
salary. It's late In the season, any
how. Perhaps the show will never GO
ont again, and we had better make
the most OF the little time we still
have to go on with the outfit. Take
ny advice, boys. Make good your
share Of the show. just the same as
though nothing had happened"
Tlips advice carried immediate
weight With those who listened to him.
When Peg came to him, filled with
curiosity and bub5ling over with eager
in2atiencc to be enlightened, the old
clown had n harder task than he had
accomplished in pacifying the other
members of the show company. The
death Of Doctor Lund had suddenly
percipitated 4 crisis that Flip knew
was Immediately at hand.
What In the world is all this mys-
terry about?" said Peg. rs she put her
arms around the old clowns neck and
laid her check close to his. won't
yon tell me nov what you have SO
many times promised you would?'
You must wait n little longer, my
girl cannot tell you now" Flip re-
sponded. And despite the girls insis-
tent pleadings, the old clown remained
silent.
when the time comes you will
know all about it. Peg dear" he said.
You must be patient a little longer
and understand that l know what is
best for you"
The performers were gathered In
little groups discussing the death OF
Doctor Lund, and there was a general
air OF discomfort and restlessness un-
Usual with the well regulated organi-
cation. Particular resentment was felt
toward Mrs. Lund for placing Chockro
In charge Of the shows affairs.
The Hindu was arrogant and dis
agreeable In the exercise Of his new
authority and before he had been on
the lot Is minutes he had come IN con-
tact with enough Of the employees to
start q mutiny.
Chockro was particularly offensive in
his manner toward Peg when he en-
tered her dressing tent to display his
authority. The Hindu seemed to take
great delight in being able to move
freely about on the circus lot, where
he had been compelled to sneak his
way through on former visits.
I'm the boss here now, young lady"
said the Hindu upon entering Pegs
dressing tent, and Tn, going to give
you to understand that in the future
you must obey my orders and not act
as though you owned the show"
"Well. even II you are the boss, you
have no right to be here In my Dress
Ing tent" said the circus girl, land I
want you to leave at once"
When the Hindu hesitated, Peg
made a move toward him. Chockro
evidently had no desire to start q
scene just then, and turned to &c, but
he halted as he reached the entrance
to Pegs tent and with q sneer said to
the girl:
Never mind, young lady. I'll get
you yet"
There had been a report circulated
during the forenoon hat there would
be no performance that day, but the
Hindu. under Mrs. Lund's orders, had
no intention of thus showing respect
to the dead Snowman. Exactly as
though nothing had happened the at
ternoon performance began on time
and proceeded a. usual.
So 1t was that the clowns carried
on their various stunts with the same
degree Of ~frivolity that always marked
their antics; the various acts in the
show proceeded without halt or inter-
ruption. and there was not the slight
est indication that the owner OF the
show vas then lying dead, right In
the same town where the performance
was going on.
Chockro and his henchman took nd-
vantage Of the activities in the circus
ring to search for the letter that was
now SO important to Mrs. Lund-so
vital to Peg II her birthright was to
be established. The Hindu and his
man ramsacked Flip's trunk, while
the clowns were In the ring. but found
no trace Of the document.
I'VE must SO through the girls
trunk, when she gets into the ring"
said the Hindu. "Come on and we'll
get our bearings"
When the two men again entered
Pegs dressing tent the girl was
dressed and ready for the ring. 1t
was about time for her turn to be
called, and she was sitting on her
trunk. waiting for her summons.
The men were surprised to see her
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