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' Hiram
..“.
4
.I-IAPPY DAYS’.
Then they discreetly dropped the subject;
but Teddy felt a secret thrill of gratifica-
on. .
Ile knew the hearts of these men were
true, and that they were with him. ’ This
was worth much to him.
it happened at that moment that a num-
ber of the circus men came along and
joined Teddy and his companions. They lit
their pipes and set down also on the heap
of ties. . , .
Now, Tcddy entered into the ‘spirit of
their geniality, and cracked jokes and
swapped yarns with them in the jolliest
kind of a way.
Teddy had a nut: tenor voice.
He knew a touching old ballad, and he
‘began to sing it There is nothing so ap-
peals to the heart of rough men as a ballad,
and the simpler. the better.
Teddy rendered it in a manner which
stirred their rough souls and brought mois-
ture to the eyes of many.
"They applauded him to the echo when he
had tinlsl:cd:' , . '
"Good voice. my ind."
"It was fine."
‘Well done. Sing us ancther.",
But as Teddy sang a man had approached
with the air of the free Texas plains blow-
ing across them, the party of circus men
were having a feast of reason, and an or-
phan boy was offering them that feast.
But as Teddysang a men had appronzhcd
unnoticed and joined the circle. He puffed
ey. .
There was a. glittering light of hatred in
5 eyes. As the gang of circus men ap-
plauded Teddy he opened his mouth and
emitted a scornful: “Haw, haw, hawl"
In an instant every eye was upon him.
Silence fell on the group, during which
Harley coolly lit another cigarette.
“W ihet you'thet laughed that way,
Harley?’ as ed. Hiram Bell, softly.
“It was me," replied Iiarley.
“Must be you dldn‘t like the singing?"
"Not that kind-no.” ‘
"Well," said Hiram, ejecting a big quid
of tobacco, “nobody asks ye to listen. When
a man don't like a thing he knows what
to do." -
"Well, what?"
“on out!" I -
"Is that 2 hint?"
. be”
’.'iIa .
- ‘Well, I prefer to stay. Those ties afford
a good sent, and the privilege is as much
Stay if ye will, but keep a.
civu 7.un5.ic, 1!-..:'.": -. , . - . e . '. ,
“Oh, I haven't any quarrel witb‘you,
Bell,” said Harley. ' ' .
ho is your quarrel with?"
,“II he wasn't a fool held know.”
Teddy's ears tlngled. ' He at once arose
in a quiet way.
‘‘I think the gentleman means me," he
said. “Am I rijhtl" ’
“Since you see fit to wear the shoes,” re-
tortcd Harley, ' ,
“I am not conscious of ever having clone
Sou any harm," said Teddy. "I would
rather have your friendship. Come, shake
hands. Let us be friends." '
Iiarley for a moment looked ut Teddy's
outstretched hand. Then he dchberntely
.lcaned forward and spat upon it.
a
, boxing.
Almost in the same instant Teddy draw
it across his face with a resounding sm::lr.
In an instant there was an uproar.
The canvasmen rushed between them.
Teddy was cool and ready. Ilarley was like
an infuriated bulldog.
Iliram had pulled off his cont. ‘
“Ye can't fight him, lad!” he cried. "lle's
forty pounds heavier. lie‘s my meat!"
"No." said Teddy. rigidly. “The Qnarrel‘s
not yours. It is mine. Don’t you be afraid.
I can take care of myself." .
And seeing that he was resolute the can-
vasmen gave in.
“Thar'll be fair play," said liiram, roll-
ing up his sleeves. "You bet I'll see to
that."
Harley, with an evil smile of confidence,
had stripped to the waist. He felt suretof
victory. as T V was ‘so mnclrlighter. V
But the orphan boy was cool and plucky.
Among his accomplishments was that of
A ring was quickly made.
It was an unobserved spot, and no dan.
ger of interference. Ilarley leaped into
the ring.
Teddy stepped quietly in, and awaited
the attack. It came instantly. Harley
made 2. bull-like rush.
Had any of the blows be aimed at Teddy
hit him there would have been an end of
the battle then and there. -
But they failed to do so.
The orphan boy easily dodged them, and
waited for an opening, which he knew
must soon come. . ‘
(;r1Ar'rEn V.
n.ir-.Lsv nrsxss A nmsxr.
And the opening did come. .
Furious at his inability to hit his light
antagonist. Harley overstepped. u an in-
stanz, quick as lightning, Teddy planted a
blow bank of the car. 1
"In-
' in surprise.
. With a swiltness that the eye could not
follow Tcddy sent another one to the
emple.
Harley reeled and staggered to one side,
putting up his hands in feeble dcfensc. It
was Teddy's chance.
time he su ung, and struck llnrler
n tc-rrihc blow in the nose. He went off his
feet like Zl. ten-pin.
llc vmui. down in a heap in the dust.
was half srnseless. K
c of the canrasmen began to count.
but Hurley made no effort to rise. Ile sim-
ply sat up and began to wipe the blood from
his injured nose.
The light was over.
The bareback rirler, like the coward he
was, had quit. He arose finally and slunk
owav, tlcfcated. - ,,
The circus men were all delighted, and
they crowded about Teddy, offering him
congratulations.
“lo did well. laid!”
“It'll teach him a bit of manners "
This erceedingly gratifying to Ted-
cstly accepted them, and
Hiram. who was much
He
“l‘I,uti'.in' ever did me so much good," he
declared. “Thct Ilatlcy has becn spailin'
for :1 lickin‘ ever since he has been with
this show, and ye did it so easy.”
“There is only one thing I regret," said
Teddy. ’ ‘g
"What is that, lad?"
I‘; have made an enemy."
“Psbawi Ye needn't be afraid of him.
He's t .1 h of a coward to ever tackle
you . If he tries foul play-well, by
the great horn spoon, I'll settle with him."
. That night the Lrnin moved out of Perry-
‘ It ran on to Houston. Here the show
was iobc given. v.
When the tent was erected that morning
and all was in readiness Teddy received it
message to report at the manager's tent.‘
He hurriedly complied. '
As he cntered he saw both the lilurrays,
the ticket agent, and Bill Leonard. the man-
ager. What was‘n1c1'e, in a chair by the
table set Miss Tina.
And -'3 was a resolute light in her
beautiful cyc-. She held a riding whip, and
flicked the grass with it. Her face lit up as
Teddy (ntered.
“TcdE:y," said Mr. hiurray, Senior, "we
are i great trouble."
' cxcleizned the young tumbler,
“I am sorry to hear that."
“Yes, we are in trouble. 1 We are obliged
to cut out one of our best acts."
rs
-1
“One bi-eta :3’ ,.:,r3'' ,, -' -
“Yes: andall. on account of the ohduracy
of this young Do you un er-
Shc refuses to do her wonderful
riding act.
Tc; "I rate V rent start. lie glanc'c-zl at
Tina, whose face was flushed.
“No, not? she c-:ic:l. "I have not refused
to do it. " I go on alone, or at least I
demand another partner."
"You so " said Mr. Murray. “She Objects
to riding with liarley."
"Yes; I loathe him," cried the young girl,
fiercely. "lie is 9. despicable coward. I
will not ride with ‘
“You see that seems to be emphatic."
“Y .5," agreed Teddy, dubiously. lie was
not exactly sure oi his ground. .
“I think no can fix it all right,” said Bill
Leonard. “We'll put Iiarley in the great
tandem art. He will get 9. better chance
to show his ability to ride. Then we will
find another partner for bliss Tina."
"Teddy,” said Mr. Murray, “can you
ride?" ..
“Oh, yes, sir."
“Can you do that act with Tina?”
‘I think so, s'r" '
“Well, then, you are elected. Is this
young man agreeable to you, Miss Tina?”
“Perfectly," replied Tina, promptly.
Teddy blushed furiously.
“Of course it will be a great honor," he
said; “but I would not like to throw the
otherman out of his 1 b.”
“You are not doing that. 'It is Tinn who
is doing that. Eh, 'l‘ina'!"
"That is just it," she cried; "and I will
tell Jack Harley so."
“I have already had a little trouble with
the fellow," said Teddy. "1 would not like
to have him misunderstand me."
At this Leonard and the others looked
at each other and smiled.
“Yes,” said Leonard, “we hear that liar-
ley is nursing a broken nose. That is all
right. - We will stand back of You."
“Very well. .I am under your crdc:
said Tctldy, quickly. ‘‘It will be the gre .
est honor of my life to ride with Miss
Tina." .
Tina shot him :1 look which made him
feel giddy; and, so the question was settled,
T‘ e morning parade was over and there
But
was a brief respite at the noon hour.
it did not last. long. ,
People began to flock into the tent early,
and soon the great canvas amphitheater
was packed to suEocr.‘tlon.
:iurr:iy‘s circus was.a most popular ai-
fair. -
The side shows were already doing a
vision of fluffy lace and spungles.
- as they da;hcd around the ring.
- with c shivcr.
thriving business. The tight-rope Walking
feat, which was free to all, was completed.
Then the band played, and the ringmas-
ter leaped into the ring and cracked his
w ip.
The clown caine tumbling utter him.
“Well, here we nre again,” he cried‘ “and
so the earth goes round and round, and
he turned cartwheels.
It was the same good old-fashioned cir-
cus. Lots of fun and no frills. Pink lem-
onade and peanuts. Pretty girls and couu-.
try bcauz; and thou came the donkey.
This act over, and the people screamed
uith joy; then the ring was suddenly
flooded with ground and lofty tumblers,
Of these, Teddy was easily the star.
Back to his dressing-rootu went the
young tumbler. The clown now again held
the ring; but the bareback act was next.
Teddy hastily donned some shiny boots
and ii. laceliedecked jacket. He grasped
the whip, and was rea y.
The it
held Tina's horse in readl- ‘
ness. The next moment she appeared, a
But just then. she halted with a start.
Harley, with inflamed face, stepped be-
fore her. , - ‘
"Look here, Tlno,'f he said, roughly, “am
I going to ride-with you?"
Ti 's face flushed. She lookcd him
t in the eyes and said, bluntly:
V
“ h, I see,” sneered Harley. "You've
turned me down for that young country'-
nian. Blame him, he has cut me out. But
I'll get square with him",
“Stand aside, Jack Harley," said Tina,
stcrnly, “You shall not talk to‘ me that
way. I will not stand it.” '
Harley steppedaside. Tina made a. sig-
nal .to Teddy, who stepped forward and
took her right foot in his hand.
He lifted her lightly to the horse‘: back.
She smiled winscmely, and galloped into
the ring.
She gare her exhibition nrst before the
double act. .
Teddy's horse was now ready.
When Tina had gone Teddy turned, but
llarlcy confronted him. His face was
swollen with passion.
“You shall, pay for all this," he gritted.
"You have knocked me out of my Job. That
is a bra: V‘ ‘ ” '
.N ..
....;i ddy, firmly, “l have not
done so. llirxliurlxly has authorized me to
perform tl'l. act. I held out no induces
ment to get ”
.“But I , know, why,". snapped llarley.
“That girl had eyes for nobody but me un-
til you came. Now she turns me down.
On, I'll settle with you.” .
“I am not the least bit afraid of you,"
said Teddy. “You may spare your threats."
Just then the gong rang for the. double
‘Larebacl:
Tedd It‘
- .pcd upon his horse and rode
into t..,c ling. Then he wcnt through the
act wiih T‘
..I
we are going to have trouble
aw llarley," he said to Tina,
“He seems
with ti; 4. fc
to have 2: very bad temper.”
“I loathe him and fear him," said Tina,
, “I could not ride with him
agznn." .
“If he dares to speak to you so disrev
spcctfully again I'll?" .
“Oh, no!” laughcd Tina. “Don't say a
wnrd to him. .lust.trc1t him with silent
contempt.” - '
The not was finished, and they returned
to the dressing-room.
There was‘ nothing more for either to do
ur.ti1 the (Y'.ll'II'n,1,’ performance. As Tina
alightcd from her horse she said:
“I want to go back to the hotel. Papa
will be so busy that he cannot go with me.
I abhor riding in a carriage, and I don't
like to go alone.” I
“l anrat your service,” said Teddy, with
“Will your father be willing?"
, will be grateful to you." ‘
Both repaired to their rooms to dress.
A short while later Tina appeared with B.
neat little walking dress and a jaunty hat
and silk parasol. ‘
eddy, as spruce as he could make him-
self, joined her. As they left the circus
grounds many admiring eyes were turned
upon them. They made a charming couple.
But one pair of eyes did not gaze upon
them kindly.
Harley. with a bitter curse, walked
around to the other side of the grounds,
keeping them in view.
Houston is a pretty town, with neatly
laid-out streets and fine shade trces. Teddy
and Tina walked along slowly. r
They thlttted with all the gaze and aban-
don of minds wholly in affinity One could
say nothing that was not of interest to the
ther. .. ' s
Presently they entered a little park which
iorrns a public square in the Texas city, A
pretty fountain played before them.
“it is charming here," suggested 1'1“,
<5
"Let us sit on this little bench and watch
the fountain." '
Thcy sat-down on the bench. but it is
doubtful if either saw the water or the
They were wholly en-,
laying fountain.
grcssed in each other.
Teddy told of his Life's plans, of his aspi-
rations. He talked to a sympathetic and
interested listener.
ud Tina proudly told of her ambition.
“I want to be a great prima donna," she
said. "I Want to sing before all the World,
and win their plaudits.’ Oh, I shall become
very rich, and be awfully good to the poor.
Mlle. Antoine says that I have a. perfect
voice, but I fear it is cracked."
Teddy laughed. Thus they chatted, un-
til suddenly an incident occurred which
came near proving the end of all the air
castles of both. ‘
Teddy gave a sudden gasp, pressed his
hand to his head, and turned ghastly white.
Blood trickled down over his face.
Tina sprang to his side, screaming wild-
ly as he fell from the bench. She had
heard a. report, and knew that he was shot.
CHAPTER VI.
Inn; PLOT roe RI:'ViJi‘EE.
Tina Murray was but a child in years;
yet, as is sometimes the case, she had the
perspicacity and courage of a woman of
mature age.
She instinctively realized't‘uat some one
had fired a shot at Teddy and that he was
badly hurt, if not killed.
Deadly horror was upon her, but her
nerve stood her in good stead. She knew
it was no time for weakness. >
“Oh, Tctldy," she screamed.
shot! Help! Help!” >>
n, as her appeals for assistance
rcachetl the hearing of people on the street,
she bent down over Teddy and sought to
stop the now of blood.
‘ There was a long, livid mark across the
side of the boy’s head. ‘ ‘
The bullet had not penetrated the skull.
It had ploughed a furrow through the
scalp, burning its way as with a red-hot
r
“You are
on.
People docked from the street, and a.
great crowd collected. '
A medical man wasquickly on hand.
. But Teddy had new opened his eyes. He
looked up, and seeing Tina essayed to rise.
“No, no," she pleaded. “Lie still, Teddy.
It will be the worse for you if you do not."
Teddy obeyed implicitly. Just then a.
powerful-framed man plunged breathlessiy
through the, crowd.
’ “Who did it?” he roared. “Who shot my
boy? Just let me nnd him‘. Oh, don't tell
me he is end!" ‘ " ’ v
It was Hiram Bell.
was white and ghastly.
“No," said the physician. “He will not
die unless, of course, brain fever sets in.
Who hred the shut’."' . ' - .
This was the question .which went
through the crowd. There was no answer
0 it. t might hare been a. random shot.
But Hiram Bell knelt dawn and took Ted-
dy up in his powcrfui arms. V -
“I‘il take him to the hotel," he said.
“To needn't call no ambulance. I'll stay
by this boy till he's himself again." , -
At the hotel Teddy was put to bed. Big
Iiirnrn and petite Tina stayed by his side.
‘They would not leave ' -
When the news reached the circus there
was a stampede for the hotel after the per-
formance. .
'The- Murray Brothers came down, and
were greatly relieved when they found that
'l'cdd,v,' was safe.
,"There is a very slight concussion," said
the surgeon. “Three or four days will fix
him all right; but he ought not totumble
or ride horses within that period." '
This was a,:crlous blow to the llfurrnys.
Their best star performer was off the bills
for at least live performances.
But it could not he helped. The natural
question came to them:
“ 0 did it?"
There was no clew. Nobody had seen the
shot med.‘ But big Hiram Bell shook his
head like a big mastiff, and said:
“I've ot my idea. You bet I could but
my hand right on the chap, and not go far;
but I ca.n‘t prove it." -
The big canvasmnn
“Whom do you bear in mind?" asked
Murray.
“The boy has got but one enemy in the
whole world."
- ‘‘I understand." l
The two men looked at each other. When
the troupe were gathered in the hotel that
evening lilr. Murray singled out Hurley and
callcd him aside.
“Say, Harley." he said, “I understand
you feel a bit sore because I put Small on
in the double bareback act.”
“You can't blame me, Mr. Murray. ''I‘m
an old performer and won't stand being
turned down by a. greenhorn." .
‘”l'hat‘s not the idea. Small’ was in no-
wise to blame for that. I hear that you
hurled all kinds of threats at him."
“Oh, well, I was sort of mad: but it's all
over. I suppose I'll ride with Miss Tina.
to-nig t7" .
“No," said Murray, curtly. “Nor never in
my circus again. I don't accuse you, but
there are ugly rumor.-1,against you. You
cannot wonder if people suspect you of
having shot this boy." - - .
arlcy'.s fate was purple,
