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“Not much!” cried the hobo, with a
shrug of the shoulders. ‘“There’s too
many peelers around. They might want
me fer an addition to ther worknouse, an’
I don't mean ter work if I kin help it,
yew
“But” expostulated Cal.
repay you for this serv’ lee” ”
don’t want any pay,” declared
“But Vi Keep ye a sight, lad,
an’ yell see me agin, Now, somebody's
comin’ », 80 good-nig
found his way back to the circus.
Tle ‘could hardly wait to see Mr. Bailey
and acquaint him with the details of Ves-
pada’s demise.
It is needless to, say that the circus
proprietor was ove
“He has cheated: the gallows,” ‘he said,
“but it is just as well after all.
met a deserved fat
And this was the universal sentiment.
‘The next day the circus was again aboard
the cars. and speeding to the next city,
Montgomery.
recovered rapidly from her
. extra act was put in her
place on the bill, however.
week passed. .
tthe circus played in a number of
towns to a crowded tent and Bailey and
Brown were in high spirits. Business
“how can I
. was good.
Cal rode a tandem in one of the finest
acts yet witnessed in the sawdust ring.
He was more popular than eve
of Cal's friends was comical Tom
Loftus, the clow
He had only one enemy. This, some-
what singularly, proved be Signor
Brassi, whose Italian nature had yielded
to an instinctive jealousy of the canvas-
boy. With the Italian race_ jealousy
breeds, the propensity to murder. And
eclings toward Cal were posi-
uae ‘murdero
Although Cal might have accepted pro-
motion at once to the ranks é the sal-
aried actors, he refused to d
Ile persisted in keeping his ‘position as
canvas-boy.
Tle declared that he had not yet mas-
tered the lesser details of cireus life, and
that he wished to do so before mounting
higher,
£ I rise too rapidly I shall fall,” he
“And that would not do.”
Everybody in the company except the
Italian signor admired Cal. Even Bras-
si had respect for him, despite his hatred.
Brassi was much smitten with Mlle.
Ariadne, whose prosaic home name was
plain Kate Smith.
t Mille. Ariadne detested the Italian.
ne wtavances were extremely distasteful
.
was especially gracious, however,
at all times to Cal. is excited the hat-
red and jealousy of Brassi. We held Cal
responsible for this state oF affairs and
was determined to be r
alle at once laid his plans. Sith that end
a “will kill them both,” he gritted un-
i “She hates me and I can
She shall not live
to he another’
another ‘employed by Brassi was a
villninons one,
The circus had traveled west and was
playing in one of the Illinois towns: As
a large audience was expected, Mr.
‘Trailey had decided to intindiice Mile.
Ariadne in a new rope walking act.
was announced with a flourish that
Mile. Ariadne, the world's greatest tight-
Tope gymnast, would walk a rope across
the great falls in the Rock River on the
morning of the day of the show.
It was a free exhibition, of course, and
drew thousands of people from many
miles about.
t was a long distance across the river,
fully five hundred yards, and would ri
anire indeed great nerve and skill to cross
"abat, *Trite, Ariadne welcomed the feat
and made preparations according]
A fine rope of the proper quality and
strength was selected. It was stretched
across the river at a point below the falls
and where a great pool of the: river’s
waters lay.
Stout posts were set in the bank on
each side and the rope geared on them
At the appointed hour a
trementions crowd was on hand.
b Cole, with his best men, were on
hand. ‘to assiet in case of accident. Cal
was with t
On the platform from-whieh Mule. Ari-
adne was to make the start were Mr.
Bailey and Mr, Brown and some of the
actors to represent the circus company.
Mr. Bailey read a long eulogy to the
qowd uy upon the Wonderfal nerve of Mile.
ATI
"Then the tight-rope gymnast herself ap-
peared. With the long pole in her hand
to balance herselé she stepped out on the
, Tope and courtesied to the crow
Loud and vociferons cheers rewarded
her, She glanced back once at her friends
ile has
—WHAPPY DAYS
on the platform and among their faces
e saw the dark, maleyolent and eyil
visage of Signor Brassi.
n
a ot
CHAPTER VIIL.
A DARING DEED.
It is hardly necessary to say that Mlle.
Ariadne with difficulty repressed a shiver
at the evil intent which seemed to lie in
Brassi Ss gaze.
et she could not see what harm he
could do her. With an effort she re-
pressed her fea:
he next moment she was out on the
swaying rope, nigh a hundred feet above
the boiling waters below.
It was _a position tot try the steadiest
The other shore was far
Out along the- strand of hemp she
slowly made her way, while the crowd
strained and gaped in suspense and won-
der, and a half expectation that she would
apy Jupiter, Brown,” said Bailey, with
vigor, “she is a wonderful woman. That
is a great feat.
“That it is, Bailey,” agreed Brown. “I
only pray that she does not lose her
erve.
“She?” exclaimed Tom Loftus, the
clown, who had a weakness for the fair
gymnast. “Don’t you fear for her. She
never loses her nerve. erfect.”
Brassi heard this and his “face turned
darker than ever.
No eye was upon him.
in the rear of the others.
softly into his coat pocke'
When it emerged he held in the palm
of his hand the sharp blade of a razor.
He watched intently for-his opportunity.
of the post
He was a little
His hand stole
blade would sever enough of the strands
to break the rope. He was waiting only
for_the right mo:
Below on the river “bank were the can-
vas-men, with Cal and Jacob Cole. . T)
eanvas-boy’s eyes were glued anxiously
on Mlle. Ariadne.
don’t know why. boys,” said rougl h
Cole, with a shrug of his sho} ulders, pat
I have an awful feeling that that gal is
going to fa
“T kain’t see it, ” eried one of the can-
vas-men. “She’s been doing the same
trick over the tents for a number of sea-
Yo
©
ek
7
ns.”
“That may be, but thar’s always a first
time,” declared Cole. “Ugh! It woul
be an ugly fall!”
Cal shivered and looked at the awful
foaming yeast of waters below.
tt mnast should fall what could
save her Certainly she must either
plunge into the depths of the pool and
drown or be dashed to pieces on the rocks,
It was hard to say which would be worse.
‘he utter uselessness of any provision
against such a fate was plai
“No boat could live in those. Waters.. If
ne was a strong swimmer—Cal caught
his reat sharply.
What did he see?
Did es rope slacken a bit then? Why
had she stopped er face, agonizingly
pale, was turned back to the starting
nt.
PON ty 8 oul! The rope is parting I” ¢ cried
Cal. “She feels it—she !
is going down! Oh, it is sawed 2”
Aghast. with horror, the great multitude
on the river bank saw the vibration of
the rope and then they saw one end of
whip in air an the gymnast shoot
lownward, straight as a
Women shrieked and "tainted and men
covered their eyes with their hands.
Even Jacob Cole, strong man as he was,
did_this.
The canvas-men all turned their backs
with horror. All except one. This w:
Ca!
yarn
It seemed ‘to Cal as if some superhuman
ower was given him. He felt his nerves
become steel. The consciousness that a
human life was at stake made him coo!
s
Q
d steady. .
Fle saw Mile. Ariadne’s body strike fair
n the centre of the pool. She went down
out of sight. .
Cal knew one thing.
She was a good swimmer. She had of-
ten boasted of this fact. If she was not
stunned by the fall she might keep afloat
a
Perhaps Jong enough for succor to
reach hers The water in the pool was
leep. was in a constant whirl: and
the body might make the circuit for hours
before being carried down over the lower
rapids.
Convinced of this, Cal instantly saw
the proper nieve for a re sce. He lost ni
time in executi .
With a few Tong leaps. he reached the
foot of the falls. Here there were great
ledges projecting above the plunging wa-
¢
eet hey were moss-covered and slippery.
Vo slide from one meant death.
wos no time to count chan
Cal leaped from one to another as agile
as a monkey and as sure-footed as a
chamois. ‘he crowd on the shore had
recovered and now saw bis purpose. They
watched with bated ath.
Along the base of ‘the fall Cal made
his way in this manner, Soon he reached
the head of the
Down into the current he slid unhesi-
tatingly. e was swept into the pool
It was a critical moment.
The chances were that he might not
find Stile. Ariadne’s body. In case he
did not he could hardly hope to get out of
the Doal unassisted.
t Cal’s hope was to find her and keep
her raftoat until some means could be de-
vised by those on shore of reaching them.
Ile did not consider the possibility “of fail-
ure or consequences to himse’
Now he was swept inte the pool. Tle
kept afloat in the swirling waters with
some difficulty. Ie looked about for the
tight-rope gymnast.
da short distance away he caught
sight of something. pink tossing just un-
der the water. Te recognized the gor-
geous suit of Mlle. Ariadne.
A stroke brought him to the spot. He
dived and reached the sandy bottom. He
grasped the object lying there and brought
it to the surface.
As he was seen to come up with Mlle.
Ariadne on his arm the banks of the river
trembled with the plaudits of the multi-
ude.
Their excitement was intense. People
now began to recover from the lethargy
of horror which had been upon them.
They began to consider the possibility ‘of
a reseue,
Men went up and down the shore with
ropes and efforts were made to throw
them ai But the distance was too
sreat for the throw.
e tight-rope had been taken across
by tneane of a boat above the falls. This
could be done again, but it would take
time. Cole managed to make himself
heard above the roar of the rapi
“Hold on, boy!” he cried. O We're g0-
ing to give ye help!
C: was now assisted much by Mlle.
‘Ariadne herself.
The tight-rope walker had been stunned
by the fall into the pool and at first had
been unable to assist herself. But no
she had recovered and arrived at a com-
prehension of the situation.
She looked up into Cal’s “face and then
instinctively made an effort to swim. Cal
kept a careful hold upon her, though.
“Wait, Miss Smith,” he said. “You are
not quite strong enough y ret.
“1 remember. The robe parted and I
“Yes.”
“It is very strange. The rope was new.
You came to my assistance. But. ho
did you get out here, Cal? There; I am
all I right now. Let me swim a little for
my:
4
”
“Together they swam about ‘the pool,
and as good fortune had it, found a rock
just under the surface, to which they
clung. And here they remained in the
thunder and roar of the angry waters.
But help was bound to reach them very
soon from friends on shore.
CHAPTER IX.
A PLEASANT SURPRISE.
The method employed was the safgst
and best under the circumstances.
plan of stretching a rope across the river
Above the falls was adopted.
is was gradually brought down to
the pool and the endangered pair were
then Mitted out of the water and brought
safely ashore.
It is needless to say that the:
an ovation. Cal was the hero of the hour.
Signor Brassi was nowhere yisible.
Tiad hs fiendish act been seen he would
certainly have been lynched on the spot.
e circus played to a crowded tent
that afternoon.
Cal and Mile. Julie rode a double act
and the crowd went wild with enthusi-
asm. It was a happy hour of triumph for
the canvas-boy.
Signor Brassi was rendered more
furious ‘and deep-scheming than ever. His
deadly plot had failed, but he was safe,
or it was not known just how the tight-
Tope happened to break.
Mile. Ariadne was deeply grateful to
Cal, and Julie said with tears in her
received
3
“Oh, Cal, you saved tay dearest frien
If Thad lost her I might have yielded f.
utter despai
e circus now traveled south as far
as Peoria. Here Cal met with new and
thrilling incidents.
Signor Brassi had not attempted an-
other plan of revenge as yet. But he was
nursing his hatred and only waiting for
a good chance,
But it].
ca
word for Cal, Mile. Ariadne and Julie to
One evening after the show Mr. Bailey
me out into the dressing tent and left
They were playing a
report at his tent,
reak-
two-days’ stand, so there was no
ing up of the circus for that night.
Of course the three actors named won-
dered what it meant, but they were on
hand at the appointed hour. As they en-
tered the proprietors’ tent they were given
a surprise.
A table sat in its centre, upon which
was spread. tempting viands. Two col-
ored servants were on han
Mr. Bailey and Mr. Brown sat at each
end of the table. Mr. Bailey indicated
the seats for the guests and s:
ink we owe this little “testimonial
to Cat Warner for his good services an
his heroism in saving the life of Mlle.
Ariadne.” -
“It is kind, indeed, of you to include
Julie and my: self i in the pleasure of doing
honor to Cal,” said Mile. Ariadne. “The
debt is one which th IT can neyer repay him.”
Cal blushed like a ros
He made a. graceful “acknowledgment
of the honor, however, and then the little
banquet was begun. Mr. Bailey proved
a capital host and Mr. Brown seconded
him.. A delightful repast was enjoyed.
x. was now after midnight. Mr, Bailey
sai
“Tt was not altogether for the ‘purpose
of dining you that
night, my friends.
ject which I must broach, and which per-
haps interests Mile. Ariadne and myself
as much as it will ?
Mile. Ariadne blushed vividly and said
with a pretty
“I thought pp yas to be a secret until
the Lie of the season, Edgar?”
Bailey smiled and his partner
laughed merrily.
‘Tl ” he said, “I have held
in just as long as T can. I feel sure there
wail be no harm in confiding the secret to
those of our friends present.
Then he looked at Cal and Julie and
sai
“From to-day Mlle. Ariadne cancels her
engagement with the Bailey and Brown
Cal ‘Jooked thunder-struck and a little
ery of remonstrance came from Julie, The
little bareback rider was deeply grieved.
“D ” she cried. “What shall I do
without Rate?
this Ariadne threw her arms about
Julie can eried:
and I will never separate, dear.
My home shall be yours, and I trust there
are happy days before us.”
“But—I do not understand,” began
Julie, and Cal thought he had taken leave
of is senses. My hat did it all mean?
ailey advanced and took
Mie. ‘Ariadne’ s hand in his...
will explain,” he ‘said. “We haye
kept it a secret thus far, but there has
long been an understanding between Kate
and myself. We are to be married when
the circus opens to-morrow, and we mean
to adopt Julie, with her permission, as our
daught er,
It is difficult to describe the effect of
this upon Cal and julie. They stood for
& moment spell-bou
Then Julie slipped into Mlle. Ariadne’s
arms. Cal extended his hand to Mr.
Bailey.
“I congratulat X ‘iley,”
said. rongra ‘ulate 3 sou ah Bailey,” he
kK you, my Foe oonid Mr. Bailey
graciously. “I felt sure of your endorse-
ment. trust you will consider yourself
also one of the family, as we shall regard
you such. Julie i is the object of our espe-
fia love and a e is an orphan, and
omeless we are ‘happ py to adopt her.’
ampust also congratulate her,” Nera Cal
wean the little party broke up happily.
be ‘next day the ceremony took. place
in the Rresence of all the actors, who were
cordially i {bisnor Braasi, * how-
ever, was not, presen
course it was surprise to the
members of the teoue hut all were very
glad. Mile. Ariadne w: © be known no
wore Baa the circus bills. She was now
But Talie would not aband
lon her call-
ing. She insisted upon earning her sal-
of the iaens Same as the star equestrienne
rom Peoria the show by long
ca ,, by long jumps,
vel. east. One day it again reached
al was enabled to see al
and spend some hours with i ident
mother. Tle managed to introduce Sule
petite “equestrieg good mother and the
nn
warmest Me ene e were at once the
Season was now near its clos
Cal's first year with ous had ‘heen
a comet eaten ‘the circus had been
Ar, Bailey now proposed t.
show south for the winter, Ne Brown a
sage
on sess
en ae
3