"The show's been held up for ten minutes! Get in there all of you!"
Here followed a violent explosion of appropriate profanity. "The
audience is gettin' wild. They'll be wantin' their money back unless
the performance goes on purty blamed--"
Braddock reached the man's side in three steps. He delivered a
resounding slap on the ringmaster's cheek, almost knocking him down.
The tall hat went spinning away on the ground. Tears of pain and
terror flew to the fellow's eyes. He began to blubber.
"Don't you swear in the presence of my wife and daughter,--you!"
snarled Braddock, his own blasphemy ten times as venomous as the
other's.
"I--I beg your pardon, Mrs. Braddock," stammered the ringmaster in
great haste. If the gaping, respectful hundreds could see the despot
of the ring now!
Braddock's daughter uttered a low moan of horror and amazement. Her
heart swelled with pity for the poor wretch who dared not to defend
himself. Ruby Noakes felt the quiver that ran through the girl's body.
She promptly led her away from the spot.
"Come with me while I change," she said quickly.
Together they passed into the women's dressing-room.
Pages:
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77