The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-10-06

to them the contents of Mrs. Lund's
letter.
When Chockro had left the dress
ing tent, to assert his authority in
other departments and sections of the
show, Flip made little speech to the
performers who gathered around him.
I'm an old man, and I've been a
long time with this show,p 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 our performance, and earn our
salary. It's late In the season, any
how. Perhaps the show will never go
out again, and we had better make
the most Of the little time we still
have to go on with the outfit. Take
my advice, boys. Make good your
share of the show, just the same as
though nothing had happened"
Flip's advice carried immediate
weight with those who listened to him.
When Peg came to him, filled with
curiosity and bubbling over with eager
impotence to be enlightened, the old
clown had harder task than he had
accomplished In pacifying the other
members Of the show company. The
death of Doctor Lund had suddenly
percipitated a crisis that Flip knew
was Immediately at hand.
"What In the world is all this mys-
terry about?" said Peg. as she put her
arms around the old clowns neck and
laid her cheek close to his. Wont
You tell me now what you have so
many times promised you would?"
"You must wait 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 1 know what is
best for you"
| The performers were gathered In
little groups discussing the death of
Doctor Lund, and there was general
air of discomfort and restlessness I'M
usual with the we'll regulated organi-
zation. 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 a 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 Pm 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 If you are the boss, you
have no right to be here in my dress
ing tent" said the circus girl, land
want you to leave at once"
When the Hindu hesitated, Peg
made q move toward him. Chockro
evidently had no desire to start q
scene just then, and turned to go, but
he halted as he reached the entrance
to Pegs tent and with a sneer said tc
the girl:
"Never mind, young lady, TIL get
you yet"
There had been a report circulated
during the forenoon that there would
be no performance that day, but the
Hindu, under Mrs. Lunds orders, hat
no intention of thus showing respect
to the dead Snowman. Exactly a:
though nothing had happened the af
ternoon performance began on timC
and proceeded as usual.
So it was that the clowns carried
on their various stunts with the sam,
degree Of frivolity that always marked
their antics; the various acts in tn,
show proceeded without halt or inter
ruption, and there was not the slight
est indication that the owner of tn,
show was then lying dead, right il
the same town where the Performance
was going on.
Chockro and his henchman took ad
vantage of the activities in the circu
ring to search for the letter that wa
now so important to Mrs. Lund-s
vital to Peg If her birthright was t
be established. The Hindu and hi
man ramsacked Flip's trunk, Will
the clowns were in the ring, but foun
no trace OF the document.
Eve must go through the girl
trunk, when she gets into the ring,
said the Hindu. "Come on and wel
get our bearings"
When the two men again entere
Pegs dressing tent the girl wa
dressed and ready for the ring.
: was about time for her turn to b
called, and she was sitting on he
e trunk, waiting for her summons.
: The men were surprised to see he
a there. having calculated that sh