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of that individual as he hustled for the dressing tent and began feverishly
getting into his ring clothes。 These consisted of a loose fitting pair of
trousers； a slouch hat and a coat much the worse for wear。 A 〃Rube〃 act；
it was called in show parlance； and it was that in very truth； more because
of Teddy's drollery than for the makeup that he wore。
Phil quickly forgot all about the lecture he had been reading to his
panion as the bareback riders came trotting in。 His eyes were fixed
on a petite； smiling figure who tripped up to the curbing； where she turned
toward the audience； and； kicking one foot out behind her； bowed and
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threw a kiss to the spectators。
Phil had walked over and sat down by the center pole right near the
sawdust ring； so that he might get a better view of the riding。
The young woman who so attracted his attention was known on the
show bills as 〃Little Miss Dimples； the Queen of the Sawdust Arena。〃
Phil； as he gazed at her graceful little figure； agreed that the show bills did
not exaggerate her charms at all。
Little Dimples； using the ringmaster's hand as a step； vaulted lightly to
the back of the great gray ring horse； where she sat as the animal began a
slow walk about the ring。
Phil wondered how she could stay on； for she appeared to be sitting
right on the animal's sloping hip。
The band struck up a lively tune； the gray horse began a slow；
methodical gallop。 The first rise of the horse bounded Little Dimples to
her knees； and the next to her feet。
With a merry little 〃yip！ yip！〃 she began executing a fairy…like dance；
keeping time with her whip； which she held grasped in both hands。
〃Beautiful！〃 cried Phil； bringing his hands together sharply。 In fact； he
had never seen such artistic riding。 The girl seemed to be treading on air；
so lightly did her feet touch the rosined back of the ring horse。
Little Dimples heard and understood。 She flashed a brilliant smile at
Phil and tossed her whip as a salute。 Phil had never met her； but they
both belonged to the same great family； and that was sufficient。
His face broke out into a pleased smile at her recognition and the lad
touched his hat lightly； settling back against the center pole to watch
Dimples' riding； which had only just begun。 It made him laugh outright to
see her big picture hat bobbing up and down with the motion of the horse。
〃Works just like an elephant's ear when the flies are thick；〃 was the
lad's somewhat inelegant parison。
But now Dimples removed the hat； sending it spinning to the
ringmaster； who； in turn； tossed it to an attendant。 The real work of the
act was about to start。 Phil never having seen the young woman ride； did
not know what her particular specialty was。 Just now he was keenly
observing； that he might learn her methods。
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Dimples' next act was to jump through a series of paper hoops。 This
finished； she leaped to the ring； and； taking a running start； vaulted to the
back of her horse。
〃Bravo！〃 cried Phil； which brought another brilliant smile from the
rider。 She knew that it was not herself； but her work； that had brought
this expression of approval from the Circus Boy； whom she already knew
of by hearing some of the other performers tell of his achievements since
he joined the circus less than a year ago。
〃The ring is rough。 I should have thought they would have leveled it
down better；〃 Phil grumbled； noting the uneven surface of the sawdust
circle with critical eyes。 〃I'll bet Mr。 Sparling hasn't seen that； or he
would have raised a row。 But still Dimples seems very sure on her feet。
I wonder if she does any brilliant stunts？〃
As if in answer to the lad's question； the 〃tweetle〃 of the ringmaster's
whistle brought everything to a standstill under the big top。 Even the
band suddenly ceased playing。 Then Phil knew that something
worthwhile was ing。
〃Ladies and gentlemen！〃 announced the ringmaster； holding up his
right hand to attract the eyes of the spectators to him； 〃Little Miss Dimples；
The Queen of the Sawdust Arena； will now perform her thrilling； death…
defying； unexcelled； unequaled feat of turning a somersault on the back of
a running horse。 I might add in this connection that Little Miss Dimples
is the only woman who ever succeeded in going through this feat without
finishing up by breaking her neck。 The band will cease playing while
this perilous performance is on； as the least distraction on the part of the
rider might result fatally for her。 Ladies and gentlemen； I introduce to
you Little Miss Dimples；〃 concluded the ringmaster； with a
prehensive wave of the hand toward the young woman and her gray
ring horse。
Dimples dropped to the ring； swept a courtesy to the audience； then
leaped to the animal's back with a sharp little 〃yip！ yip！〃
During the first round of the ring she removed the bridle； tossing it
mischievously in Phil's direction。 He caught it deftly； placing it on the
ground beside him； then edged a little closer to the ring that he might the
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better observe her work。
The ring horse started off at a lively gallop； the rider allowing her
elbows to rise and fall with the motion of the horse； in order that she might
the more thoroughly bee a part of the animal itselfthat the motion of
each should be the same。
Suddenly Dimples sprang nimbly to her feet； tossing her riding whip
to the waiting hands of the ringmaster。
Phil half scrambled to his feet as he saw her poise for a backward
somersault。 He had noted another thing； too。 She was going to throw
herself； it seemed； just as the horse was on the roughest part of the ring。
He wondered if she coul