“Oh, ho!  I see!  Well, it will be my turn later!” and he laughed silently.

“He’s either playing a mean trick or else he’s up to some joke,” declared Mrs. Watson, who, from a distance, had watched this little scene.  “And,” she added with a shake of her head, “I can’t be sure what it is.  Young folks are so foolish!  So foolish!” and she sighed as she walked away.

Joe, with the torn jacket in his hand, turned back toward his own tent, and presently there came from it the sounds of several young persons, including girls, in conversation and laughter.

It was later, that same afternoon, when Helen noticed Joe in one part of the big tent.  He was surrounded by three pretty young ladies and three good-looking young men.  They were on one of the platforms seated about a table, and Joe seemed to be entertaining them, for there were plates, cups, knives and forks on the board—­all the outward indications of a meal.

The time was late afternoon, following the day performance and prior to the evening show.  Helen looked curiously over at the gay little scene, and something tugged at her heart-strings.  Then she looked away, and Mrs. Watson, observing her from the other side of the tent, shook her gray head.

“I can’t understand Joe Strong,” murmured the clown’s wife.  “What has come over him?”

It was just before the opening of the evening performance that night when Joe, meeting Helen in the dressing tent, said: 

“I shan’t need you in the box trick, to-night, nor in the vanishing lady stunt, either.”

“Oh, I suppose you’re going to use one of the new, pretty girls,” snapped Helen.

Joe looked at her quietly.

“No,” he said, “I am not.  But I am not going to put on either trick.  I thought you’d like to know, so if you want to introduce any of your extras you’ll have a chance.”

“Thank you!” she said coldly, and passed on.

Joe smiled as he looked after her.

With a blare of trumpets, a boom and ruffle of drums, the gay procession started around the circus arena.  The stately elephants, the hideous camels and the beautiful horses went around to be looked at, wondered at, and admired.  Then, when the last of the cavalcade had passed out, the various acts began.  Helen had a new costume for her bareback act, and as she started it she looked over to where Joe was busy on his stage.  She saw the young men and women around him.  They wore fancy costumes and seemed a part of the circus.  Helen wondered what act they were going to appear in, since none including them had been announced.

She danced about on the back of Rosebud, and thought bitterly that Joe had never noticed her new dress.  She was wearing it for the first time, too.

The whistle blew.  All acts stopped and Jim Tracy advanced toward Joe’s platform.

“A most marvelous and striking act!” he cried, not stating what it was to be.