ctive
pause, "you think this thing over. You're a pretty smart young fellow,
and you'll disappoint me a good deal if you don't find some way out of
this dilemma."

Andy shook his head doubtfully. He sat dejected and crestfallen for a
full hour. Then he left the circus grounds, evading friends and
acquaintances purposely. He went away from the town, reached meadows and
woods, and finally threw himself down under a great sheltering tree.

Andy thought hard. There was certainly a check to his show career unless
he secured the sanction and cooperation of his aunt.

Judging from existing circumstances, Andy utterly despaired of moving
his unlovable, stubborn-minded relative towards any action that would
favor him. Especially was this true after he had defied her authority
and run away from home.

"If Mr. Harding's circus won't take me without this restriction, why
should any other show?" mused Andy. "Oh, dear! Just as things looked so
bright and hopeful, to have this happen--"

The boy gulped, trying hard to keep back the tears of vexation and
disappointment. Then he became indignant. He got actually mad as he
decided that he was a victim of rank injustice.

He arose under the spur of violent varied emotions, pacing the spot
excitedly, wrestling with the problem that threatened to destroy all his
fond youthful ambitions.

Gradually his mind cleared. Gradually, too, a better balance came to his
thoughts. He went logically and seriously over the situation.

Daylight was just going as Andy arrived at a heroic decision.

"There's only one way," he said slowly and firmly. "It looks hopeless,
but I'm going to try. Yes, make or break, I'm going to face Aunt
Lavinia boldly."

Andy Wildwood started in the direction of Tipton.

CHAPTER XXIV

ANDY'S AUNT

Andy went straight to an old dwelling house in a retired part of the
town.

He had been there twice before when younger, and remembered that an old
couple named Norman lived there.

The Normans were distant relatives of his Aunt Lavinia. She had other
acquaintances in Tipton, but, Andy recalled, usually made the Norman
home her headquarters, paying them some small sum for board and lodging
whenever she visited them.

The old ramshackly house stood far back from the street. Its front fence
was broken down, and Andy crossed the lot from the side.

There was no light downstairs except in the kitchen at the rear. An
upstairs middle room, however, seemed occupi