Phil Rushington's Search, or, The Unknown Rider of the Ring — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

. cso »»% Sue Y eat ok TP ‘ a”. rs a a . a lets to the young showman. pies - J ae iy Wey “ Re > fe = Me es tie Tt was a sight to bring joy to the ollie. Seana! s heart. “You distinguished yourself in that last town, Rush, and the news got here ahead of us. You're the best drawing card we have in the show.” — Rush laughed in an embarrassed way. “It wasn’t much and, while I like to get the business all right, I hate to make a walk- ing advertisement out of myself.” ‘Nevertheless, you can’t get behind the fact that you’ve got a way with you. that takes. Remember how they cheered you in the parade ?” oY C857 “The people were glad to get a glimpse of you and they'll be disappointed if they can’t feast their eyes on you during the grand en- try. By the way, do you recall that it’s high time you were back in the dressing-room making ready for the opening act?” “That’s so,” answered Phil, looking at his watch. Walt. summon an officer and have him arrested.” “Trust me for that, Rush. Ill watch him as a cat watches a rat.”’ “Keep a weather-eye out for Reddy, If he’s around here in half an hour, Phil always made it a point to take part in the “grand entry’? when all his performers filed into the ring and performed various evolutions on horseback. He was a graceful horseman, and there is no doubt that his pres- ence on these occasions, side by side with his beautiful star rider, Isabel, made one of the hits of the performance. Dora Warren had had a little specialty in the song line, when she first joined the show, but she now devoted herself entirely to help- ing Rush and Walt in the management, tak- ing care of the correspondence, keeping ac- counts, etc.—a purely mechanical part of the work which she did well and so proved of _— | . Pe.’ .' — - Fe ec" %, ” woh ae le cm he mounted his horse and ro det int ing line of mounted f ert rmers to 5 Ba that Dora had taken the ol Pascally occupied by Kona. The boy, Francis, was on hand, but was riding with the men. _ Dora had created a habit for the occasion and looked very beautiful and dashing. Isabel was also there and likewise charming The faces of both girls were slightly flushed as Phil rode up, and they were waiting, evidently for him. At If he rode with Isabel, he would offend his sweet- heart. his star rider would feel piqued and might re- in her ring costume. once he saw the dilemma he was in. If he rode with Dora, on the contrary, fuse to go into the ring. Isabel was subject to moods of that kind and Rush could not af- ford to have two of his girl riders out of the show that afternoon. Mamie noticed his dilemma and seemed to enjoy it. No word was spoken, but Phil saw at a glance just what would happen which- ever one he chose to ride with. “Tt will be impossible for me to take part ”’ said he, “Some one else will ride with you, in the grand entry this afternoon, calmly. Isabel, and you will be attractive enough without me. Dora, it was good of you to come and take Eona’s place.” Phil chose the least of the two evils and it was not entirely a matter of deceit for, at that moment, he felt a vague foreboding that something was taking place which called tor his presence elsewhere. “What is it, Phil?’ asked Dora anxiously. “T will tell you later, little girl,” he said, riding close to her and speaking i in a low tone. “There is no time, now.” ‘And indeed there was not. The band pte = nes air ao heralded the eae ain. s as cleo ance / |