gh unwittingly, by Mrs. Watson. Helen walked on with her head
high in the air, and as the clown's wife passed Joe's official tent a
little later she heard, issuing from it, the jolly laughter and talk of
several girlish voices.

"I wonder what Joe Strong is up to," thought Mrs. Watson. "He never
acted like that before--going off with other girls and neglecting Helen.
I'm going to speak to him. No, I won't either!" she decided. "I'll just
keep still until I know I can help. It's better that way."

It was perhaps an hour after this that Joe, meeting Helen, called to
her:

"Oh, I say! don't you want to do me a favor?"

"What sort?" asked the rider of Rosebud, and if Joe had not been
thinking of something else he would have noticed the danger signs about
Helen's countenance.

"The fancy jacket I use in one of my tricks is torn," went on Joe.
"Would it be asking too much to request you to mend it?"

Helen tossed back her head and there was a snap to her eyes as she
answered:

"Why don't you get one of the three pretty girls to do your mending? I'm
afraid I'm not clever enough!" And with that she walked on haughtily.

For an instant Joe was so surprised that he could not speak. His face
plainly showed how taken aback he was. Then, after a moment, he managed
to stammer:

"Oh, but I say! Helen! Wait a moment! Let me explain. I--er I--I only--"

But Helen did not pause, she did not look back, and she did not answer.
Joe stood staring after her in blank amazement. Then he gave utterance
to a low whistle and exclaimed:

"Oh, ho! I see! Well, it will be my turn later!" and he laughed
silently.

"He's either playing a mean trick or else he's up to some joke,"
declared Mrs. Watson, who, from a distance, had watched this little
scene. "And," she added with a shake of her head, "I can't be sure what
it is. Young folks are so foolish! So foolish!" and she sighed as she
walked away.

Joe, with the torn jacket in his hand, turned back toward his own tent,
and presently there came from it the sounds of several young persons,
including girls, in conversation and laughter.

It was later, that same afternoon, when Helen noticed Joe in one part of
the big tent. He was surrounded by three pretty young ladies and three
good-looking young men. They were on one of the platforms seated about a
table, and Joe seemed to be entertaining them, for there were plates,
cups, knives and forks on the board--all the outward indications of a