Argosy All-Story Weekly, November 13, 1920 — page 31: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE CIRCLE OF FATE. 5 During the rehearsal, a brief one, for they had been rushed from a booking agency to supply the place of another couple, one of whom had contracted pneumonia, they had quite won the heart of M. Rossin, the man- ager, by their quiet and modest behavior. They spoke only when spoken to and ac- cepted their place on the bill without de- mur, such a rare thing for an artist to do, that Rossin vowed to himself that if they made as good with his patrons as with him- self, their engagemerit for a week should be renewed that very night. The Medrano circus has no triple. arena. Its delights are focused into a single ring with a diameter of fourteen yards nine inches. Long experience has taught the cir- cus rider that this dimension is the one within which, perched on the back of his horse, he can maintain a stable equilibrium. The two gymnasts stood side by side. There was no mistaking their relationship— the same white skins, blond, smoothly brushed hair, muscular arms and well- shaped legs. “ ‘“ Heaven!” exclaimed Tipo, the clown. “1 wish I had had a company of athletes like you when I was sergeant. Where did you serve, my friends?” “We are Swiss, monsieur, them quietly. “Ah, Eh bien—well, perhaps you were better out of it. Good luck then, boys.” *‘ Magnificent fellows,” commented Ros- sin as they smiled and walked away. ‘“‘ We shall have to hire an extra man to handle their mail. Men like those receive as many mash-notes as tenors.” But Tipo shook his head quizzically. “T offer to bet you anything they throw them away unread. Surely you know by now, my dear Rossin, that an athlete has no use for women. Believe me, I have known acrobats all my life, and it is a strange thing, they do not think much of women. The Gfeeks, now—”’ “Heaven! Now you are talking history,” Rossin protested. ‘‘Go on with your Greeks, you rogue. Paris is a long way from Athens. Times have changed.” “But not the athlete in training, Rossin, mon vieux. These gentlemen are too -con- cerned with keeping themselves fit. And it ay said one of 309 only takes half an eye to see that they are wrapped up in each other. They are really brothers?” 74 Yes.” ‘“H-m! Well, anyway, I should be amazed to find they thought there was any- thing beautiful about the Venus of Milo.” ‘“ Ah, when it comes to love, leave it to the clown, eh, Tipo? That is what you want me to say. Well, I do. But what am I thinking of? People out there would laugh if they knew we were talking like two phil- osophers. On with you, Tipo.” Tipo took a run and bounded into the ring. There was a chorus of indrawn breaths, then a storm of applause, and Ros- sin, nodding his head cheerfully, hurried off to his duties. It may be that there is something occult in the circle—the question may be left to those who are versed in such theories—but it is a fact that those who perform in the ring are more interested in the work of each other than those who appear between the walls of the theater. Dramatic stars do not wait in the wings to watch the work of the actor with a few lines. The play does not exist for them except when they are about to make their entrance and during the time they are on the stage. In vaude- ville it is different again. Many a small act warms to work as they see the head- liner watching them, unseen by the audi- ence. But in the circus the company is one. It is a family, often a quarrelsome and jealous one, but still united. And so there was not a groom, ring man, program seller, bareback rider, equestrienne, acrobat or clown who did not gather to watch the first showing of the new act. When the warning bell rang for their number the Olympian Brothers ran out gracefully, with that high lifting of the feet which’ gives acrobats the appearance of Spurning the earth before taking flight. Tipo ran to greet them with affected) childlike squeals of welcome, falling in his haste, and they recognized his antics with a friendly smile. ‘Safe voyage,”’ he muttered as they put each a foot into the loop of the two ropes which were to carry them to the trapeze bars suspended high under the roof. Gomichbook (E(O)