and was presently out of
sight in the line of promenaders continually passing. Also, his own
face grew sober at the sound of thunder, and he clasped his arm more
protectingly around Luna's waist, who sat on his other side, and
counselled Dorothy, just beyond:

"Do you and Molly keep close care of the twins. There's a storm
brewing and timid people may stampede past us toward the door."

"Why, would anybody be afraid in a big tent like this?" asked Dolly,
surprised.

"Some might. But--Hark! Hooray! Here we come!"

The band which had been playing all the time now broke into a more
blatant march, a gaily accoutred "herald" galloped forth from a wide
opening at the rear of the tent, then turned his steed about to face
that opening, waving his staff and curveting about in the most
fantastic manner. Then the silence of expectation fell upon that mass
of humanity, the promenaders settling into any seats available, warned
by men in authority not to obstruct the view of those on the lower
benches.

As a cavalcade of horses appeared Mr. Winters looked anxiously down
into Luna's face. To his surprise it showed no interest in the scene
before her but was fast settling into its habitual drowsiness.

"Well, after all, that's best. We could not leave her behind and I
feared she would be frightened;" he observed to Dorothy.

"Yes, I'm glad, too. Keep still, 'Phira! You must keep still, else you
may be hurt. Wait. I'll take you on my lap, as Molly has 'Nias.
Now--see the pretty horses?" answered Dorothy, and involuntarily
shivered as a fresh thunderclap fell on her ears.

Alfaretta leaned forward to remark:

"It's begun to rain! But isn't it cute to be under a tent and just let
it rain! Ah! My soul! Ain't they beautiful? Look, girls, look, them
first ones is almost here! A-ah! them clowns! And monkeys--to the far
end there's real monkeys ridin' on Shetland ponies! Oh! my heart and
soul and body! I'm so glad I come!"

She finished her comments, standing up and swaying wildly from side
to side, till somebody from the rear jabbed her shoulders with an
umbrella point, loudly commanding: "Down front! Down front!"

She dropped into her seat with a shriek, which somebody somewhere
promptly caught up and echoed, while at that same instant a flash of
lightning illuminated even that interior which had grown so strangely
dark, and on the instant came a terrific crash.

Another woman screamed, and Seth Winters's face paled. He knew h