"I am glad to see you here, Watson," said Mr. Barlow, offering his hand. "I always attend church myself when I have an opportunity, but I am afraid few in my employ follow my example. I always feel more confidence in any young man who seems to enjoy a church service." Mr. Barlow was a man whose name was widely known, and Kit saw that Mr. Grant looked as if he would like to be introduced. "Mr. Barlow," he said, "allow me to introduce a new friend, Mr. Grant, the mayor of the town." "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Mayor," said the showman, offering his hand. "The pleasure is mutual, sir," said the mayor. "I need not say that your name has long been familiar to me." "I am glad you have taken one of my young men under your wing. He is a recent acquisition, but I have reason to think well of him." "He is to dine with us to-day. I shall be glad to extend an invitation to you also, Mr. Barlow." "You are very kind, and but for a previous engagement I would accept with pleasure. I shall be glad to see you at my show to-morrow with complimentary tickets." "What a nice old gentleman Mr. Barlow is," said Evelyn, in a low voice. "I have found him an excellent friend. He won't allow any of us to drink or gamble while we are in his employ." "I hope you wouldn't want to do either, Mr. Watson." "I have no disposition to do so. But, Miss Evelyn, I want to ask you a favor." "What is it? If it isn't anything very great, I may grant it." "Don't call me Mr. Watson." "What shall I call you then?" "My friends call me Kit." "That's a nice name. Yes, I'll call you Kit." It will be seen that the two young people were getting on famously. "Do you live far away, Miss Evelyn?" "About a quarter of a mile from here." In turning the corner of a street, Kit met his friend Harry Thorne, walking with Charlie Davis. Both regarded Kit with surprise. "Kit seems to be getting on," said Charlie. "Do you know who he is walking with?" "No; do you?" "With the daughter of the mayor." "How do you know?" "The gentleman in front was pointed out to me as the mayor. I shouldn't wonder if he were going to dine there." When Kit returned to the circus tents about four o'clock in the afternoon, he met with some good-natured raillery which he took in good part. He felt that he had passed the day in a much more satisfactory manner than if, like the great majority of his companions, he had risen late and lounged about the circus grounds, beguiling the time with smoking and story telling. CHAPTER XXIII. KIT'S DARING ACT. Kit's acts thus far had been confined to the ring, but now a new one was expected from him. Early in the performance a series of flying leaps from a springboard, in which all the acrobats took part, was introduced. From a point thirty feet back the performer ran swiftly till he reached the springboard, from which a leap was made accompanied by a somersault, carrying him over a considerable space in advance.