accept
with pleasure. I shall be glad to see you at my show to-morrow with
complimentary tickets."

"What a nice old gentleman Mr. Barlow is," said Evelyn, in a low voice.

"I have found him an excellent friend. He won't allow any of us to drink
or gamble while we are in his employ."

"I hope you wouldn't want to do either, Mr. Watson."

"I have no disposition to do so. But, Miss Evelyn, I want to ask you a
favor."

"What is it? If it isn't anything very great, I may grant it."

"Don't call me Mr. Watson."

"What shall I call you then?"

"My friends call me Kit."

"That's a nice name. Yes, I'll call you Kit."

It will be seen that the two young people were getting on famously.

"Do you live far away, Miss Evelyn?"

"About a quarter of a mile from here."

In turning the corner of a street, Kit met his friend Harry Thorne,
walking with Charlie Davis. Both regarded Kit with surprise.

"Kit seems to be getting on," said Charlie. "Do you know who he is
walking with?"

"No; do you?"

"With the daughter of the mayor."

"How do you know?"

"The gentleman in front was pointed out to me as the mayor. I shouldn't
wonder if he were going to dine there."

When Kit returned to the circus tents about four o'clock in the
afternoon, he met with some good-natured raillery which he took in good
part. He felt that he had passed the day in a much more satisfactory
manner than if, like the great majority of his companions, he had risen
late and lounged about the circus grounds, beguiling the time with
smoking and story telling.

CHAPTER XXIII.

KIT'S DARING ACT.

Kit's acts thus far had been confined to the ring, but now a new one was
expected from him. Early in the performance a series of flying leaps
from a springboard, in which all the acrobats took part, was introduced.
From a point thirty feet back the performer ran swiftly till he reached
the springboard, from which a leap was made accompanied by a somersault,
carrying him over a considerable space in advance.

It was the custom to place first one elephant, then a second, and
finally a third, in front of the springboard. There was only one man who
could leap over three elephants. The two Vincenti brothers took part
regularly, but Kit, being a new hand, had thus far been excused. But one
of the regular performers being temporarily unwell, it was considered
desirable that his place should be supplied.

"Do you think you can do it?" asked Alonzo V