The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-01-22
THE CIRCUS QUEEN.

indeed, part of 1.-THE poor woman
was lying on the low shelf, called the
bed, of the travelling caravan; two or
three of the wives of the men at
tached to the exhibition were round
her, endeavoring by their exertions
to relieve, momentarily increasing
pain, and helping her. to bear It
patiently by their sympathy. 81 -.
"He ought to have been here half
an hour age" said one of the wo-
men. "Jim started for him on the
piebaid two hours since" -. s., ) ~
"Did he take the piebald?" said
another. "Why I thought he was
in the italian Loyers2'' J.Sai,
"No, he wouldn't run with the
spotted mare, SO they've put the
blind gray with. her, and took the
piebald in the quadrille for Dick
Gravel to take bottom couple with"
The explanation seemed satisfac-
tory, for silence ensued. !F> y
Presently roar Of such laughter
as is only heard in circus at coun-
try village--fresh, genuine, hearty
shook the sides of the frail vehicle.
whats that?" said the apparent
ly dying woman. -. z
said one.
"oh, then, he'll soon, be here,
won't hep" said she. ..,.
eyes, he's only got three more
points, and then he'll come; he don't
go in the Sylph scene"
Three fainter peals of laughter told
that the three points had hit, but not
as well as the Quaker. story; and then
he came in. .r., s.,
''Well, " said he, s.how is she now ?n
in voice whose anxiety contrasted
: most strangely with his tawdy dress,
that of tumbling clown at travelling
circus. ''How is she now?" :,
"I'm better, Bill" said the wo-
man. "Can you stop ittlee"
Eyes; 1 don't go in next, its Chap.
mans turn; and 30 saying, the man
seated himself by the side of the
woman. ., ~.
She was still young, and, as far as
the dim light hung from the roof
would enable o Judgment to be form
ed, good-looking; the -grimed
eyebrows, cracked lips, and dry
cheeks, told that she, too, had appear
ed before thepublic FORTS amusement;
indeed, the traces OF rouge were still
on parts of the face, and told too
truly that she had lain there but q
short time-only since the last even
ing's performance, indeed; when,
during one of her Jumps through the
hoop, e mans putting on his hat
started the horse, and so caused a
. false step, which brought her heavi-
. ly to the ground. The experienced
ring-master saw she could scarcely
stand, and handed her out, kissing
her hand in the usual style; and few.
If any, Of the spectators knew that
when rapturously applauding the
most unparalleled feat-the leap from
the horses back through the hoop to
the ground-their applause was un-
heard by their intended object. She
had tainted Immediately on reaching
the dressing-room, and was at once
carried to the moving chamber where
she now lay.
But to return. She took his hand
in hers, saying: ttBill, L don't think
i shall go round any more"
Don't say 30, lass; it'll be All right
when the doctor comes"
mo, Bill; I feel better, but come
thing tells me I've put on the togs for
the last time"
'tNo, lass. moi" was all the utterance
he could find. Don't aay sol"
After pause, she said: "'Bill, you
recollect that London chap with the
French name, that came down to the
Doncaster races?"
"Oh. yes, / know" said the man,
half angrily, rs if wishing to avoid
ahe subject.
"Wen, you know you said that
time that you thought there was some
thing between me and him."
"Well, 1 know it," said the tnan,
"but don't think of that now; don't
trouble about that"
''But 1 must, Bill. / think I'm
dying. Bill, dear, and I should like
you to think of me when I'm gone,
.as l am truly, Bill. . y
The man made no answer.
"Bill," said the woman, with in-
creasing vehemence of manner, "do
you believe I'd tell you lie Dow?"
No anaYer still