Part 40 (1/2)

Phil understood, then, exactly what his position was, and, with a slight upward tilt of his head, brought his body into position so that he would strike the net on his shoulders

He hit the net with a s off his accident by throwing a so up and down a few times on his feet

The audience, quick to appreciate what he had done, gave Phil a rousing cheer

He shook his head and began claain

”What happened to me?” he called across to the catcher

”You turned too quickly”

”I'll do it right this tiht e his distance with keen eyes, launched into the air again But instead of turning one so fairly into the outstretched ar, whereat Phil hurled hi three more somersaults before he struck the net

The audience hoith delight, and Mr Sparling rushed forward fairly hugging the Circus Boy in his delight

”Wonderful!” cried the showh star this time”

CHAPTER XXII

IN A LIVELY BLOW-DOWN

>From that moment on, until the close of the season, Phil Forrest retained his place on the aerial trapeze tea the finishi+ng touches to what Mr Sparling called ”a great career on the bars”

But Phil, much as he loved the work, did not propose to spend all his life perforreater future was before hiround at the front of the house

Only a week remained now before the shoould close for the season Even in Texas, where they were showing, the nights had begun to grow chilly, stiffening thethe forward to the day when the tents should be struck for the last time that season

”What's the next stand?” asked Phil in the dressing tent a few nights after his triumphal performance on the trapeze

”Tucker, Texas,” answered a voice

”What's that?” shouted a clown

”Tucker, I said”

”Any relation to Teddy Tucker?”

”I hope not,” laughed the head clown

”A place with that na by the name of Tucker, whether it's Teddy or not, means that we are in for so to tent chuckled at the clown's sally

”I knohat you'd catch if you did,” gru man?” demanded the clown