Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-16

By Courtney Ryley Cooper

ready for her act. That act was for
gotten now: the aerialist was 'engros5ed
In a greater thing. an explanation OF
CALLING mystery. But was 1t the eX-
PLANTATION? In panicky haste she left
the car and moved fer the front door.
'sWhere is Ed?" she asked excitedly.
Just started on his rounds came
the answer of ticket taker; prob
ably over at the horse tents now
The aerialist sped for the horse tents.
but Ed Bloom had departed. Again
she took his trail, but This time with a
slower step; the first flush had de-
parted: Ann Forsyth realized now that
she possessed only possibility. with
but little to support her theories. 1t
could have happened in this manner
But did 1t? And how was she, even If
she had discovered the true explana-
ton. to prove it? Suddenly disheart =
ened Ann asked for Bloor at the pad
room entrance, then turned at the voice
of the equestrian director:
What are you doing in street clothes?
Don't you know the Arden act is on!"
The aerialist whirled. The Arden act!
1t meant only IS minutes in which 10
make ready for the ring. Ann ran for
the dressing tent. to begin her disroblng
the instant she passed its portal Dot
with a curious query. Ann heard the
questioning voice of her partner and
answered with an angry shake Of her
head.
IRON the big top beyond, the music
l. changed, giving evidence that the
Arden act had come and gone. Fran
tically Ann Forsyth pursued her prepa-
rations. Again the music changed. A
command came from the doorway. Ann
FORSYTH moved from her trunk and
stood for an instant immobile as fell
low performer draped her cloak OF err
mine and gold cloth over her shoulders
and affixed the corsage at her belt.
Then. at the second command, she
moved forward
We'll" she exclaimed. in resigned
desperation, Il know I've forgotten
something. but. for the life of me, /
can't think what 1t is
you've forgot to be on time. Dearie,
for one thing" said Dot Mason acidly
Ann made no rejoinder: they were
before the spectators now and the mask
of angelic sisterhood was on. The tapes
dropped. and they took their places
idly, lolling moment before beginning
their ascent. Up they went, hand over
hand, until they were at the rings and
bending toward each other for sis
terly kiss. by which they took the at
tention of the audience while, with a
quick movement, Dot Mason snapped
the clasp of the safety wire to the
strong ring concealed at her belt. 1t
was then that the face of Ann Forsyth
went blank Her co-angel snapped a
petulant command.
THE wire. Dearie,' urged. Give
me the wire!"
Ann set her lips.
You'll have to work without it, she
answered. THAT'S what I forgot"
YOU forgot it?" the other girl
asked. between trembling lips. What
on earth will we do?'
do Without" snapped Ann Forsyth.
Then to cover the momentary break in
the act she kissed her partner again.
ruff1ed her hair playfully. and, with a
quickly pressed thumb. upturned the
others nose in the beginning of the
many fooleries that made the act of
the Angel Sisters different from all the
rest. Dot Mason responded but feebly.
A pallor had made itself apparent
through her makeup. The part that
a slender wire had played for Dot
Mason was apparent now: with its de-
parture confidence had departed also;
marooned upon a slender ring of steel
70 feet above the ground. the girl trem-
bled in abject terror, while the audi
ence watched with something of Won
derment that the act did not proceed.
Ann, that her companion might be
given an opportunity to restore. her
calm, prepared for series OF single
acrobatics
III do some swings and poses." she
suggested. TRY to pull yourself to-
gether."
THE senior aerialist slipped to one
handed hold upon the ring. swing
ing madly about or shooting her 1.-the
body straight upward. only that 1t
might drop with jolting force against
the grip that held it safe. while. from
her ring. Dot Mason watched and
gained something of the courage she
had lost. At last she joined her part
ner. at least in spirit.
Give me simple things and I'll try
to do them" she said hesitatingly and
veered into the make believe pickering
that formed the usual interludes of
their various featS. Ann Forsyth
dropped to a hanging position by one
knee. cued her partner to do the same,
then gave the command.
Ready! Set! The one-hand swing!"
The other girl attempted to remon-
strate Too late: Ann Forsyth had
swung in her direction, grasped her
wrist. lurched her from the ring. and
now. with the girl dangling beneath
her. was writhing and twisting that she
might revolve at the end of the ring