er Joe's appearance in Bedford made quite a sensation, and he
was glad of the chance it afforded him to see his former friends and
acquaintances, and also to let them see for themselves that circus
people and actors are not all as black as they are painted. Joe was
glad he could do this for the sake of his father and mother, as he
realized that the wrong views held by Deacon and Mrs. Blackford were
shared by many.

Joe bade good-bye to his chums and traveled on with the show, leaving,
probably, many rather envious hearts behind. For there is a glamour
about a circus and the theatre that blinds the youthful to the hard
knocks and trouble that invariably accompany those who perform in
public.

Even with Joe's superb health there were times when he would have been
glad of a day's rest. But he had it only on Sundays, and whether he
felt like it or not he had to perform twice a day. Of course usually
he liked it, for he was enthusiastic about his work. But all is not
joy and happiness in a circus. As a matter of fact Joe worked harder
than most boys, and though it seemed all pleasure, there was much of it
that was real labor. New tricks are not learned in an hour, and many a
long day Joe and his partners spent in perfecting what afterward looked
to be a simple turn.

But, all in all, Joe liked it immensely and he would not have changed
for the world--at least just then.

The circus reached the town of Portland, where they expected to do a
good business as it was a large manufacturing place. Here Helen found
awaiting her a letter from the law firm.

"Oh, Joe!" the girl exclaimed. "I'm going to get my money here--at
least that part of my fortune which isn't tied up in bonds and
mortgages. We must celebrate! I think I'll give a little dinner at
the hotel for you, Bill Watson and some of my friends."

"All right, Helen. Count me in."

The letter stated that a representative of the firm would call upon
Helen that day in Portland, and turn over to her the cash due from her
grandfather's estate.

That afternoon Helen sent word to Joe that she wanted to see him, and
in her dressing room he found a young man, toward whom Joe at once felt
an instinctive dislike. The man had shifty eyes, and Joe always
distrusted men who could not look him straight in the face.

"This is Mr. Sanford, from the law firm, Joe," said Helen. "He has
brought me my money."

"Is he your lawyer?" asked Mr. Sanford, looking toward Joe.