Part 34 (1/2)

Soin Phil was made up and ready for his act As his exhibition caain, he was obliged to walk all the way to thea robe over his shoulders and pulling his hat well down over his eyes, the lad pushed the silken curtains aside and began working his way toward the front, beating against the huood natured

”Going to have a wet night,” observed Teddy, whoerie tent

”Looks that way But never mind; I'll share my rubber coat with you We can put it over us and sit up to sleep That will make a waterproof tent Perhaps weto stick up in the middle of the coat”

”But the canvas under us will be soaked,” gruather soht bundle to put under us e get located There goes the band Ifor me”

”He's at it now Hear hihed Phil, starting off on a run

The grand entry wasbeast's head It was an uncomfortable position, but he did notthat troubled Phil was the fear that the head gear ed and spoil the effect of his surprise There were ht at the afternoon performance, and had returned with their friends alain

The tirand salute to the audience Mr Kennedy had given Phil his cue, the lad had braced hihten up suddenly A strap had been attached to the elephant's head harness for Phil to take hold of to steady hihtened up Until his position was erect Es with his trunk

”Right!” came the trainer's command

The circus boy thrust out his elbows, and the bonnet fell away, as he rose s to face the sea of white, expectant faces before hi wire to the ring in his belt The wire, which was suspended from above, was so small that it holly invisible to the spectators, which heightened the effect of his flight So absorbed were the people in watching the slender figure each ti on a rope near the center pole, which was the secret of Phil's ability to fly

Throwing his hands out before hiracefully out into the air

There was a slight jolt Instantly he knew that so The audience, too, instinctively felt that the act was not ending as it should

Phil was falling He was plunging straight toward the ring, head first He struck heavily, cru out, while half a dozen attendants ran to the lad, hastily picking hi tent with the limp, unconscious form

CHAPTER XVII

LEFT BEHIND

”Is he hurt much?”

”Don't know Maybe he's broken his neck”

This brief dialogue ensued between two painted clowns hurrying to their stations

In the meantime the band struck up a lively air, the clowns launched into aand jest and in a few ot the scene they had just witnessed, in the noise, the dash and the color It would co-past drearim, set face, uttered a stern command to Emperor, who for a brief instant had stood irresolute, as if pondering as to whether he should turn and plunge for the red silk curtains behind which his little friend had disappeared in the arms of the attendants

The trainer's voice won, and E loudly, took his way to his quarters without further protest

In the dressing tent another scene was being enacted On two drawn-up trunks, over which had been thrown a couple of horse blankets, they had laid the slender, red-clad figure of Phil Forrest

The boy's pale face appeared even lare of the gasoline torches His head had been propped up on a saddle, while about him stood a half circle of solees of undress and makeup

”Is he badly hurt?” asked one