she
was brazen and her voice sounded like a cracked cymbal.

"Mighty smart fellow, that," he said. "But you may not have a ticket.
Let me offer you one; see, I have two." He took a ticket from his
pocket.

"I don't need a card, thank you; I go in the back way," she replied,
smiling invitingly, as he thought.

"I have often wanted to see in the dressing-tent of a circus. Could you
take me in?" he asked.

"Oh yes. I'm a privileged character 'round this show. There's only one
Mlle. Faro in this country, and if she don't have her way she raises
Cain. I'm Mlle. Faro. Old Barkup will say, 'Walk right in, Mr. Smith, if
Faro has invited you.' Yes, indeed I'm descended from the pyramids, and
am cousin, many times removed, of Cleopatra."

The equestrienne talked thus volubly as she led the way to the
ante-room, her new acquaintance stumbling after her. Passing into the
tent, he was given a seat on an upturned bucket placed against a
tent-pole.

In the ante-room Blind Benner lay on a bed of coarse blankets. He
coughed frequently and painfully. The man in the goggles turned
inquiringly towards the couch, but paused to admire a splendid gray
horse that was waiting for Mlle. Faro, who was to ride him in the grand
entree. Soon she appeared in a long riding-habit, trimmed with gold
tinsel, and with a jaunty air walked to the horse. The ring-master gave
the signal. From the main tent sounded the boom of the big drum, the
clash of the cymbals, and the blast of the cornet.

Mlle. Faro was just settling in the saddle, when she heard Blind Benner
cough. Slipping to the ground, she ran to him, tucked the blanket around
him and gave him a pat on the cheek. In another moment she was
acknowledging the applause of the spectators as her mettlesome horse
dashed into the ring.

"By thunder, she can ride!" exclaimed the man in goggles as he watched
the movements of the horse.

She threw him a kiss, as she returned to the ante-room, and he hastened
to assist her dismount. Promising to come back soon, she retired to the
dressing-room, while he resumed his seat on the inverted bucket. Before
long Mlle. Faro came out in ballet costume, and, leaning against a pole,
began to talk in a rattling way to him.

Bill Kellar hurried past them and paused at the couch.

"Are you awake, boy?" he asked gently.

"Yes," Blind Benner replied, and caught Bill's coat in his thin hand,
giving it a pull.

Bill understood, and, bending lower, placed his ea