The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-05-07
CHAPTER I


 Donna opened sleeprheavy brown eyes. Madeline was washing her tights in the tiny bathroom adjoining their berth the sound of water spashng that had awa-
 Whas the idea of washing at this hour? Donna asked between wide yawns.
 Madeline shook out the length of silk eshngs and hung and the brass faucet before answering Couldn't sleep thought might well do 1t and not wait until after the parade. They'll dry"
 Donna looked at her wrist watch "Ony o'clockw She raised herself one rounded elbow stared the window We're due st but from that stretch of timber doesn't look though there town within thousand miles. Pretty country, though"
 "Yeah," laconically "It's pretty enough.'
 Donna swept wavy strand of bronze coored hair from her eyes and looked at the other girl "You from place in this neck of the woods don't you?"
 Madeline nodded. "Why remind me? get the jtters every time think of Saturday The old man lives just five miles from Lebanon"
 "Your grandfather"
 "Yes." Madeline dried her hands and and came with the circus His conscience might induce him to tell Renfroe aren't sisters and then where would the act be
 Donna laughed. q guess you could argue him out of that Anyway we're strong enough with Renroe now so that he'd forgive little deception"
 Madeline shook her head covered with bronze curls sim liar to Donnas Mot Renfroe Didn't he let out the Fly ing Vanguards because Myrtle wasn't related to Van? No single girls with the show and he means it."
 "Surey if your grandfather realized your job depends Renfroe believing we're sisters he wouldn't anything
 Madeline shrugged "Oh, yes he would He'd heaven earth to get back the farm According to him circus is greased pole to hell and I'm ever wrote home at all. When made the break should have widened it."
 Donna's candid dark eyes studied the other girls troubled face It bore strong likeness to her Short chseled full red lips straight level brows brown eyes that were trimmed with thick black lashes If had grandfather who offered me good home I'd consider my self lucky When you've been in this business long have, Mad you'll be glad you didn't cut every te"
 You've never lived on farm," Madeline protested "You don't know what it's like in the winter when you're showed in and don't soul for days when shver be- sdc stove and just about die of boredom You think you hate the sawdust and the big top but donv
 q hate everything about it" Donna said "The parades with the yoke staring at the noad existence always moving and living in trunks The reek of the animals Ia like to be married Mad, with children growing up around I'd like to wash dishes and raise flowers and vegetables and cook for my man and
 "So you thinkw Madeline interrupted with sharp laugh "Just try it while and how you miss the applause and the thrill of risng life and the smell of the sawdust wouldn't give one year of circus life for 60 on 8 farm"
 Donnas only reply was "shush Don't let his lordship hear you She nodded towards the opposite wall Donna had heard the tirade many times and repetition had not increased her interest in Madenes reasons for run ming away from home five years before.
 Madeline lowered her voice. If you want husband and children why don't you marry him?"
 Con? wouldn't for several reasons First, because I'm not in love with him; second because it would the circus for the rest of fe and third because might be widow before I'd grown acssstomed to being wife, eyes darkened
 'The cats will get him sure you're alive. They always do some day. Every trainer I've known" Donna paused abruptly and looked out the window again "My father the best in the busness she went but I'll forget that day Some times even m nov can hear my father manged to death and saw my mother fall from the bars to lie for weeks hopeless cripple and then finally give up the struggle because life too bitter to keep on Oh, there's glamour, I'll admit! The blare of the trumpes the bright lights, the gay costumes Yes they get girl like you. But you've known the other side and have wouldn't marry Con David for all the gold in the world"