Page:The Blind Bow-Boy (IA blindbowboy00vanv).pdf/98

 mitted with an easy grace and a seeming lassitude. Quite suddenly, however, with a quick brilliant movement, which in its intricacy baffled the beholder, he coiled himself securely three or four times about her waist in an embrace which constantly grew more perilous, while, with his head pointing vertically straight upward from her abdomen, he darted what might be called forked kisses ather chin. The girl's face assumed a pallor which gave to her beauty an even greater delicacy. Her lips quivered; immediately, only the whites of her eyes were visible; her body collapsed, and she fell heavily to the floor. The serpent, alarmed, perhaps, by this new game, swiftly unrolled himself and glided back into his box.

Quick! Campaspe whispered to John. Quick! Get the child!

Armstrong vaulted to the platform, caught Zimbule in his arms and, descending, made his way through the group, too astonished to question or oppose him, out to the open air. Thence Campaspe and the others followed him.

That's right! the barker approved. Take her out! Give her the air!

It's criminal. She's only a baby. . . Campaspe exclaimed.

They all have to begin, said the barker. It's her first show here, but she swore she was on. These kids lie like hell.

To a little plot of grass behind the show-building