The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-06-02
CHAPTER xxrv

While Madeline was trying to eunnpon the courage Go pass Trafkord and. if possible, Co Ignore him. Con appeared in the corridor. The former boss cnnvAgn1an stepped toward the animal trainer. Madeline saw her husbands slon. !, der body stiffen and his dark eyes "wh.t are you doing herss' he demanded. M
 ''i'm waiting to see Madeline. What did you suppose ?"
 Then beat .itl She's my wife new and she hasn't any time for
 "is that sop TrsYord iurched forward until he lowered over the smaller man. "is that so? well, she had time for mo down town to-day. Didn't she tell you was coming out here this afternoona [ You bet she didn'tl Well, I'm sticking around until I see her."
 "0et out" Cons voice had thick. oned with suppressed passion. s"You,ro . good.for.nothing bum.
 :pum, am IF Hahi So I'm a busni Well, tho little Miss Purity who's your wife didn't think i was bum when shO paiiod around with me. She didn't think I was a bum when she used to kiss me and. call me her big red.headed boy or---"
 p Cons iron fist shot out and caught Traford on the jaw before he could complete the sentence. Madeline screamed and ran for. ward just as the former canvas. man, staggered by tho unexpected blow, stumbled against the fraii walls of the paesaReway.
 walled. Hes lying. I didn't-"
 T wouldn't put it past you" Con ragpod, pushing her aside.
 Trafford rubbed the blood from hls chin and snariod, flying, am IT ! don't have to iiel Everyone In Che circus knows about her and me. Wverytone knows she was the crews sweetheart. She played you for Q sucker and only a."
 "You say that again and I'll wipe up the grounds with youi" Con cried. He leaped forward and, with the agility that many times ,had made ft possible for him Co avoid death that seemed inescap- able, ho bore the haif-drunken giant to the floor.
 Whats the matter? Whats go. ing on9' Instantly the runway was throngod with performers In var- tous stages of dress and undress.
 where's Renfroe?" shrieked La Belle Matilda. "@omoone separate them. Con WI! Eill i.iml"
 A hs.nlsxs ss,nug.s.aa.. 7. ak.s.~aA A~. from Trafford's " writhins yri % body, Medoline, shivering and gobbing, huddiod against U pole. Trafford stumbled to his feet, mutterlng maiedictions under his breath, and staggered through the crowd and out of the tent.
 "what happened" shriiied one of the women.
 ''None of your business" Con TO. torted. Ho brushed the sawdust from his costume of yellow satin and purple velvet, caught his wife by the arm and almost dragged her back to hIs dressing room.
 There he flung her into . chair and faced her, his eyos blazing with disgust and loathing. "A pretty mossl" he cried, pacing tho floor. "And the damnable part of
 Tt isn'tI' Madeline protested. T swear to God 1t isn't true, Con! I did meet Trafford down town, but was that my fault? I hate himi You know what reason have to hate him! He was the cause of, Donna's fallingl He tried
 "Yss - because you played fast and loose with him. A canvas mani My God, . star performer mixed up with a canvas man! And had to soil my hands with his dirty hide! What did he call you, the crews sweetheart! If Fl thought there was any truth in that, 90 help me, I'd take your white throat between my two hands and choke the life out Of youl" .rs
 "Thsrs isn't any truth in ith I swear there isn't! And I never was his swssthearti Never! Ee wanted to marry me. but ! couldn't help that!" Madeline threw her. self on her knees, clinging with botlf arms to his body" You've got to believe me. Con! You've
 "oh, stop the melodramal wouldn't believe you on oath. Get up and fix your makeup and your hair. You look a fright"
 Hiccoughing with soba. she rose and repaired the damage done to her lips and cheeks. Five minutes later when she entered the arena no one In the audience would have dreamed that tho smiling girl in yellow satin trousers and gold em. broidered velvet coat had just gone through an emotional crisis.