Part 45 (1/2)

”It's all right, Mr Sparling We admit we've been done”

And that was the end of it Mr Sparling's lawyer visited the tohere the disturbance had occurred on the previous day, and at his client's direction made a settlement that should have been wholly satisfactory to the injured parties Ordinarily the shoould not have settled the case, in view of the fact that neither he nor any of his employees was directly responsible for the series of disasters He did it almost wholly on account of Phil Forrest, who had asked hithat afternoon before the evening perforlowed Phil

”Stop that! If there's any thanks in it, they're co to you

Between you and the elephant we'll have another turn-away today

You have already put a good bit ofit I have eon after this You will be good enough to offer no objections this ti wrong in taking Emperor away I'm afraid my conscience has troubledor to cause any further daht, Forrest That was a stroke of genius

As for dae, I tell you I have settled all of that One of these days you come in when I'm not busy and we'll talk about next season I want you to stay with me”

Phil left his eether, he was a very happy boy The only real cloud that had darkened his horizon was that anyone should feel such an enmity toward him as to desire to take his life; or, at least, to cause him so serious an injury as to put an end to the career that now see

”I knohy, of course,” mused the lad ”It was jealousy I am more sure than ever as to the identity of theto face hiht try it again; but if he understands that I knoill not dare try it, fearing Ico top, where he and Teddy Tucker were to take their afternoon practice on the flying rings, pausing on the way to pass a handful of peanuts to Eive the elephant's trainer a happy nod

”I've noticed of late that Signor Navaro acts rather grouchy over you boys working on his apparatus You want to look out for these foreigners Soeful,” cautioned Mr

Miaco

Signor Navaro was the leading perfor son, Rodney Palirl performer, whose father was a clown in the show

Phil shot a sharp glance at Mr Miaco, then dropped his eyes

”I guess nobody would be jealous of inner, and a clumsy one at that All I can do is to ride an elephant and fall off, nearly killing myself”

”Nevertheless, you take an their work after putting on their working clothes, consisting of old silk undershi+rts and linen trunks This left them free for the full play of their muscles, which, by this ti and bunchy, but like thin bands of pliable steel Both Phil and Teddy appeared to have grown half a head taller since they joined out with the circus

”Put a little more finish in that cutoff movement,” directed their instructor ”The way you do it, Teddy, you re to kick out aThere, that's better”

And so it went on Days came and went and the steady practice of the two circus boys continued, but if Mr Sparling knehat they were doing he made no reference to it He probably did know, for little went on in the Sparling Co out of the routine occurred, until, late in the season, they pitched their tents in Canton, Ohio, when soht to a climax the certainty of the careers of the circus boys

All day long the clouds had been threatening But, though keen eyes atching the scudding clouds, no apprehension was felt, as it was believed to be but a passing thunderstor up

The storm did not break until late in the afternoon when the shoas rand entry on Emperor, and Teddy had nearly sent the spectators into hysterics by his funny antics on the back of Julanced aloft as the shrill whistle of the boss canvas top The audience, if they heard, gave no heed They were too much interested in the show