Andy the Acrobat | Page 7

and clear in the crisp light air that it did not seem to have been observed in the village.
Andy wondered, however, that some of the Dales had not discovered it. He stood gazing thoughtfully at the Dale homestead about a quarter-of-a-mile away.
A great many impulsive, disheartening and also reckless projects ran through his mind.
"It's an awful fix to be in," ruminated Andy with a sigh of real distress. "If ever it was up to a fellow to cut stick and run, it's up to Andy Wildwood at this minute. Expelled from school, burning up a man's haystack and then--Aunt Lavinia! The rest is bad enough, but when I think of her it sends the cold chills all over me. Ugh!"
Andy looked for Dobbin. It was some time before he discovered the innocent partner of his recent disastrous escapade.
The old horse was half-a-mile distant, placidly making along the roadway for home.
Andy rubbed his head in distress and uncertainty. He had a hard problem to figure out. Suddenly his eyes snapped and he straightened up briskly.
"I won't crawl," he declared. "'Toe the mark' is Aunt Lavinia's great motto. 'Face the music' is mine. I won't turn tail and play the sneak. I've destroyed some property. Well, the first honest thing to do is to try and make good. Here goes."
Andy started for the road. He reached the spot where he had left his coat and shoes. Donning these he went to a little pool in the brush, washed his face and hands, and made a short cut for Farmer Dale's house.
Andy's heart was beating pretty fast as he entered the farm yard, but he marched straight up to the front door.
Andy knocked, first timidly, then louder.
There was no response.

CHAPTER IV
A BUSINESS PROPOSITION
"Nobody at home," said Andy to himself.
He walked around the house to find all the windows closed and locked.
"That's the reason no one came to the fire," he resumed. "There's somebody, though."
Andy started in the direction of the barn. He had caught the sound of some one chopping or hammering there.
He came upon a hired hand splitting some sawed hickory slabs to whittle down into skewers.
"Mr. Dale's folks all away?" inquired Andy.
"Reckon they are, youngster," answered the man.
"Will they be gone long, do you think?"
"Mr. Dale won't. He drove the family over to Centreville. The circus is there, you know."
"Yes," said Andy--longingly.
"Took them early, so they could look around town. They're going to stay all night with some relations, Mr. Dale isn't, though. He ought to be back by this time. He's due now. Was talking of carting a couple of loads of hay over to Gregson's this morning."
Andy's heart sank at this. He did not tell the man about the fire. Backing away gloomily, he went out into the road again.
Every point in the landscape suggested some section of his morning's misfortunes. Andy craned his neck as he took in a distant view of the old school-house.
He made out a female figure approaching it. Andy recognized the green bombazine dress of Miss Lavinia Talcott. She carried a baggy umbrella in her hand. Andy from experience knew that its possession by the old maid was generally a sign that she was on the war-path.
"She's hunting for me," thought Andy. "I suppose I've got to face the music some time, but I'll not do it just now, I've got some business to attend to, first."
Andy hurried down the Centreville turnpike. He walked along briskly, more to get out of possible range of Miss Lavinia than with any other distinct motive in mind. Still, Andy had "business" in view. That burned down haystack haunted him. Somehow he must square himself with Mr. Dale, he said. He fancied he had found a way.
Andy did not pause until he was fully a mile down the highway. He felt safe from interruption now, and sat down on an old log and mused in a dreamy, drifting sort of a way.
The sound of approaching wagon wheels disturbed him in the midst of a depressing reverie.
"It's Mr. Dale," said Andy, getting up from the log and viewing the approaching team. "I wanted to see you, Mr. Dale," he spoke aloud as the carry-all came abreast of him.
"Oh, hello, you, Wildwood," spoke the farmer with a grin. "Playing hookey, eh?"
"No, sir," answered Andy frankly. "I was expelled from school this morning."
"Do tell me now!" said Dale. "Want a lift?"
"No, sir," answered Andy, "I just wanted to take up a minute of your time. I'm sorry, Mr. Dale, I don't suppose you think any too much of me already, and when I tell you--"
"Hey? Ha! ha!" chuckled Dale. "Think I'm sore on you because of that calf business? Not at all, not at all. Why, I got double price for the critter, see?"
"There's something else," announced Andy seriously. "The truth