The Madison journal., 1917-01-27

A'aANN' "li'll NIlbthlp tllflti anu lft'l
To them the contents oI Mrs Lund's
letter
When ChOckrO had left the dress
ing tent 10 assert his authority in
o'her departments and sections Of the
show. Flip mace little speech to the
performers who gathered around him.
I'm a. old man, and I've been Il
long time with this show" said Flip.
'N"v"r mind about this new change
III management It's really none Of our
business, and ali we have to do. is
give our performance. and earn our
salary. It's late in the season. any
now Perhaps the show viii never go
out again, and we had better make
the most Of the little time we still
Law" To 70 on with the outfit. Take
my advice, boys. Make good your
Sha:" 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 buhbling over with eager
impatienCe 10 be enlightened. the old
clown had a harder task than he had
accomplished in pacifying the other
members of the show company. The
death Of Doctor Lund had suddenly
percipitatcd 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 won't
you tell me now what you have SO
many times promised YOU would?"
You must wait II little longer. my
girl cannot tell you now" Flip re-
spondcd. And despite the girls inSis-
tent pleadinGS, the old clown remained
silent.
when the time comes you will
know all about il, Peg dear" he said.
You must be patient a little longer
and understand that know what is
hest for you"
The performers were gathered in
little groups discussing the death of
Doctor Lund. and there was a general
air of discomfort and rpStleSSneSS I'M
usual with the well 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 II minutes he had come in con-
tact with enough of the employees to
start n 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 bis
way through on former visits.
I'm the boss here now, young lady"
said the Hindu upon entering Pegs
dressing tent, "and I'm 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
want you to leave at once"
When the Hindu hesltated, Peg
made a move toward him. ChOckrO
evidently had no desire to start
scene just then, and turned to go, but
he halted as he reached the entrance
to Pegs tent and with sneer said to
the girl:
Never mind. young lady, I'll 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. Lund's orders. had
no intention Of thus showing respect
to the dead Snowman. Exactly as
though nothing had happened the af-
ternoOn performance began on time
and proceeded as 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 was then lying dead, right in
the same town where the performance
was going on.
ChOckro and his henchman took ad-
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 if 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.
1--WE must go through the girls
/ trunk. when she gets into the ring"
said the Hindu. Come on and we1l
| get our bearings"
When the two men again entered
| Pegs dressing tent the girl was
! dressed and ready for the ring. II
was about time for her turn to be
| called, and she was sitting on her
! trunk, waiting for her summons.
The mtn were surprised to see her
there, having calculated that she
would be in the "hig top" with the
| other performers. Peg. so well accuS-
| toned to their intruSionS, was in a
measure prepared for them.
Get out Of here, you greaScr." she
cried as the Hindu approached her
The girl at the same instant sprang tC
her feet and was ready for the at