ek.
The season's broken, we can't hope for a star engagement, but we might
get in for a few weeks."

"I haven't the money to chase up situations all over the country,"
lamented the clown.

"Don't worry on that score," put in Andy briskly. "You people find out
where you want to go. I'll take care of the bills."

"You, Andy?" spoke Miss Starr, with a stare.

"Yes, ma'am. You see, I've got my savings--"

"Ho! ho!" laughed Billy Blow bitterly. "Savings! Out of what? You
haven't drawn one week's full salary since you joined us."

"Remember the needle and thread you loaned me on the train when we were
going south, Miss Starr?" asked Andy.

"Why, yes, I think I do," nodded the equestrienne.

"Well, I wanted it to sew up a fifty dollar bill for safe-keeping. Here
it is."

Andy with his knife ripped open a fob pocket and produced the bank note
in question.

"Our common fund," he cried, waving it gaily. "Mr. Blow, designate your
terminus. We'll not be put off the train, while this lasts."

Billy Blow choked up. He directed one grateful glance at Andy. Then he
snuggled Midget close, and hid his face against him.

Miss Starr put a trembling hand on Andy's arm. A bright tear sparkled in
her eye.

"Good as gold!" she said softly, "and true blue to the core!"

"Thank you. I think I'll get a drink of water," said Andy, covering his
own emotion at this display of others by a subterfuge.

He went to the end of the car. At the moment he put out his hand for the
glass under the water tank, a person from a near seat put out his also.

"Excuse me," said Andy, as they joggled.

"Certainly--you first," responded a pleasant voice.

"Hello!" almost shouted Andy Wildwood, starting as if from an electric
shock. "Why, Luke Belding!"

"Eh? Aha! Andy Wildwood. Well! well! well!"

It was the ambitious lion tamer of Tipton--Luke the show boy, the owner
of the famous chicken that walked backwards.

They shook hands with shining faces, forgetting the water, genuinely
glad at the unexpected reunion.

"What are you ever doing here?" asked Andy.

"Me?" responded Luke, drawing himself up in mock dignity, yet withal a
pleased pride in his eye. "Well, Wildwood, to tell you the truth I've
got up in the world."

"Glad of it."

"And I am on my way to join the Greatest Show on Earth."

CHAPTER XXX

WITH THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

"The Greatest Show On Earth?" repeated Andy wonderingly. "You don't
mean--"

"I do mean,"