Part 17 (1/2)

ON the following week the circus moved down through Pennsylvania. Fine weather favored the show, and the crowd at each performance was very large.

”This is going to be a banner season,” said Giles, the treasurer, ”unless we get tripped up as we were last season.”

He referred to a serious matter, namely, that of thousands of stolen tickets, which during the previous summer had been secured and sold by outside speculators.

This season a few tickets had thus far been missing, but the number was not sufficient to cause a serious loss.

Leo's performances in the ring improved every day. Already was he as good as Jack Snipper, and soon he would outrival the other acrobat in every way.

Leo's acts, while disguised as a clown, were highly amusing, even better than some of the regular clowns, of which there were eight.

”He could do clown and get big wages, even if he didn't know a thing about gymnastics,” remarked Natalie Sparks.

Natalie was now a warm friend to Leo, much to Snipper's disgust.

The second-rate gymnast had always been enamored of the Fire Queen, but he could make no progress in his suit.

One day he met Natalie in the dressing-tent when no one else was present.

He began to talk familiarly to her, and then attempted to kiss her.

”Don't you dare!” she cried angrily.

”I guess you won't mind very much,” said Snipper, and then, despite her struggles, he bent over and stuck his repulsive face close to her fair cheek.

But just then Leo came on the scene. For a moment he stood in amazement.

”Leo, make the horrid fellow go away!” panted Natalie.

”Do as Miss Sparks wishes, Snipper!” cried the young gymnast.

”Mind your own business!” grumbled Snipper.

”This is my business,” returned Leo warmly.

And rus.h.i.+ng up, he collared the second-rate gymnast and hurled him halfway across the tent.

Snipper was clearly in the wrong, and, as Natalie had called on Leo for a.s.sistance, he did not dare raise a row.

He sneaked out, shaking his fist at Leo as he did so.

”Oh, Leo, I am very thankful you came in,” panted Natalie as soon as she could recover.

”So am I,” went on the boy honestly, and then, as he looked at the beautiful girl, both blushed.

Following the scene just recorded, Jack Snipper was more ugly than ever.

Whenever he met or pa.s.sed Leo he would mutter something under his breath.

”Look out for him, Leo,” said d.i.c.k Pomeroy, the tumbler, one day. ”He's cutting a club for you.”