o'clock Andy went to the principal street of the town. He
bought himself a new shirt and a cap. Going back to the clown's tent he
washed up, and made himself generally tidy and presentable for the
coming interview at the Empire Hotel.

Andy had a full hour to spare before the time set for that event
arrived. He took a stroll about the circus grounds, meeting jolly old
Hans Snitzellbaum, and Benares and his partner, Thacher.

His part taken in the impromptu arenic performance of the evening
previous had become generally known. Andy was pointed out to the
watchmen and others, and no one hindered him going about as he chose.

Andy viewed another phase of show detail now. It was the picturesque
part, the family side of circus daily life.

He saw women busy at fancy work or sewing, their children playing with
the ring ponies or petting the cake-walking horse.

Some of the men were mending their clothes, others were washing out
collars and handkerchiefs. What element of home life there was in the
circus experience Andy witnessed in his brief stroll.

He was on time to the minute at the Empire Hotel. A bell-boy showed him
up to the ladies' parlor on the second floor.

Miss Stella Starr was listening to some members of the circus minstrel
show trying over some new airs on the piano.

The moment she saw him she came forward with hand extended and a welcome
smile on her kindly face.

She made Andy feel at home at once. She insisted on hearing all the
details of his experience since the evening he had saved her from
disaster during the wind storm.

"I think now just as I thought night before last, Andy," she said
finally. "You do not owe much of duty to that aunt of yours. I think I
would fight pretty hard to get away, in your place, with the reform
school staring me in the face. Well, Andy, I have spoken to
Mr. Harding."

"Can--can I join?" asked Andy, with a good deal of anxiety.

"Yes, Andy. I had a long talk with him about you, and--here he is now."

A brisk-moving, keen-faced man of about fifty entered the parlor just
then.

"Mr. Harding, this is the boy, Andy Wildwood, I told you about," said
Miss Starr.

"Oh, indeed?" observed the showman, looking Andy all over with one
swift, comprehensive glance. "They tell me you can do stunts,
young man?"

"Oh, a little--on the bar and tumbling," said Andy.

"Well, I suppose you don't expect to star it for awhile," said Harding.
"You must begin at the bottom, you k