“You are a good boy,” she said with enthusiasm.  “Bring me a stool, Marco, I want to talk with him.”

Andy flushed with embarrassment, as the little lady went on to insist that but for his quick foresight and energy she might have missed her salary, lying in a hospital for many a long day.  She was very anxious as to Andy’s injuries, and looked greatly relieved to find them trifling.

“Just a lump under the ear and a cut on one cheek,” reported Andy indifferently.  “They’re worth having to see you ride, Miss.”

“There, Marco!” cried the equestrienne brightly, “that is the handsomest compliment I ever received.”

“The kid’s a mascot,” pronounced Marco in his heavy, earnest way.  “He found my lost traps, and he maybe saved your life.  What can we do for you, now?”

Andy shook his head vaguely.  His bright face clouded.  The human sympathy of his new friends had warmed his heart.  It chilled, as he thought of Fairview and what awaited him there, especially Aunt Lavinia.

The quick witted equestrienne read his face like a book.

“See here, boy,” she said, laying her gloved hand winningly on Andy’s sleeve, “what is your name?” and as Andy told her she added; “And what is your trouble?”

“Do I look as if I had trouble?” inquired Andy with a forced smile.

“Don’t try to fool Mrs. Jones, Wildwood,” advised Marco.  “She’s our keenest.  Has a boy at school nearly as old as you, haven’t you, Mary?”

“Jones?  Mary?” spoke Andy in some wonder.  “I thought the lady’s name was Stella Starr.”

“On the posters and in the ring, yes,” laughed the equestrienne.  “Come, Andy, make a clean breast of it.  Have you gone circus-crazy, and run away from home?”

“No ma’am, but I’d like to.”

“Oh, dear!  I guess you boys are all alike,” commented the equestrienne.  “Why do you wish to leave home?”

“It’s a long story,” said Andy, with a sigh.

“Tell it, Wildwood,” spoke Marco.  “We will be glad to listen.”

“Yes, indeed,” assented Stella Starr.  “I am interested in you, Andy.  You have been of great service to us.  Let us help you, if we can.”

Andy told his story.  Stella Starr laughed merrily at his mild escapades.  Marco’s big eyes opened widely as Andy made plain the fact that he was a very fair amateur acrobat.

“Why, the kid is up to the trained average, if he can do all those things,” he declared.

Stella Starr studied Andy silently for a few minutes.  Then she said: 

“Andy, I believe you are a good, truthful boy.  I am sorry for you.  You deserve a better home.  I don’t believe you will ever have it with your aunt.”

“Half-aunt,” muttered Marco.

“I do not consider you owe her any particular duty.  You are not happy with her?”

“No, ma’am, never,” said Andy.

“And I believe you would be happy with us.”