The Golden Circle

Petite Jeanne threw a small Persian rug over her treasured god; then, as if prepared to ho

r with silent footsteps, opened it a c

’s t

d, Swen,” came in a

throwing the door wide and extending both hands in gre

t ti

tature. His head was crowned with a shock of yellow hair. His cheeks

rish, “allow me to present the big Swede who wi

e that the Scandinavians are not musicians. You are mista

uch that shock of yellow hair. “Here

in belied his assumed ill humor. “But if you

ne moment. I shall light the fire. The kettle shall simmer. Before the fire all wi

efore had seemed a theatre became an artist’s retreat glowing with light and warmth. At the right of the fireplace, where real flames went roaring skyward, was a broad wood

flames playing upon Angelo’s dark face trans

ered. “He is like a g

s that trembled Petite Jeanne placed the

her place. The big, blonde musician sprang backward. Angelo stared with wide

in some black forest, she had seen this thing, had witnessed the transformation of something that ap

a sound startled them all—the rattling of a window

window. Everyone there knew that

d!” Jeanne

o wind!” Floren

mellow glow over

?” Jeanne’s eye

h. “That is only the gleam of Lin

always rattle

t? Ne

, we shall lay the groundwork for such a light opera as has never been known before. You, Swen,” he turned to th

am!” Petite Je

ian youth flung his arms wide in the characteristi

to the orange glow of a sunset. “The ugly

the heart of the earth or from some distant p

that precise moment the window sash rattled

out of it. It’s only the w

the French girl pleaded. She press

she sank back among the

ee. No mother; no father; only a dancing bear. The gypsies, good gypsies, the best in all France, have befriend

sight. But the gypsies, gathered about the camp fire that burns before the gaily painted wagons, are conscious of his presence. They, too, are sad. Sad becau

edge of those shadows, unobserved by those about the camp fire, sits an old man. His hai

ou, too, are a wanderer. Down the road a short distance is a small tent. Close by are two bu

e is gold to be found in the hil

,” Dan Bak

ve found something better—a bea

etite Jeanne’s

up hope. For them the

ere not still the Dance of Fire? Is not the gypsy God of Fire close besid

ce of the gypsy god was illumined in a strange manner. His lips a

He approves! We shall succeed

amp fire, with all your dark-faced companions gathered about you, and with the God of Fi

g to her feet and before the curious god, gleaming there at the edge o

ravo!” sh

e play will be a great success even

e—much more!” Ange

sy woman creeps from the shadows to whisper a word in the ear of the chief of the tribe. Word is passed round the c

he dance ended, she flings herself be

; the bright painted wagons; and sorrow

hair hangs down to his shoulders, comes dancing into the g

d to fill the place of Tico, the bear. I sh

for the moment, amused. They rid

nce steals over the camp. They begin t

et and joins him. Her face is wreathed in smiles. She believes the God of Fire

eautiful gypsy maidens, dressed in colorful gypsy fashion. This is

trangely silent. The fire had burned low.

“the mysterious dancer binds the bargain by presenting the chief with a

, the French think all Americans are rich. And here, with the gypsies speculating in regard to th

dded the fire vigorously. “S

time, as the beacon cast its glow upon the glass, there appeared a shadow, the shadow of a m

however, until the keen eyes of the little French

d to herself, as a shudder ran through her slig

ire and dropped limply into a chair. Gone was the fire in his dark eye

kettle is steaming. Will you honor us by making tea? There’s black

er bit toward making the

And here’s to success!” exclaimed Swen,

of stirring hopes like these in an old man’s breast! Been twenty years since I dre

lo agreed ferve

y snug. All these were purchased with money received for one act plays written for the radio. That contract is ended; the money is

y shall not. We will help you keep them. Yes! Yes! And you shall hav