The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-25

"You wouldn't think it, to look at her now,
SIR" said the old clown. as he shook the ashes
out Of his blackened clay, "but madam was
once as handsome woman as you'd see Tor
many long day. 1t was an accident that
spoilt her beauty"
The speaker was attached to little eques-
trian company with which had fallen in dur
ing a summer days pedestrianism in Warwick
shire. The troupe mad halted at roadside
inn, where was dawdling over my simple
midday meal, and by the time had smoked
my cigar in his companionship, the clown'and
l were upon footing Of perfect friendn-
ness.
I had been not little struck by the woman
of whom he spoke. She was tall and slim,
and had something Of foreign look, as
thought Her face was chiefly remarkable for
the painful impression which it gave to stran-
ger. It was the face Of woman who had un-
dergoue some great terror. The sickly pallor
&C brightness of the large black eyes, and on
one cheek there was scar-the mark OF some
deadly hurt inflicted long ago.
Ny new friend and / had strolled little way
from the inn, where the rest Of the company
were still occupied with their frugal dinner.
A stretch of sunny common lay before us; n1 and
seemed to invite ramble. The clown filled
his pipe, and walked on meditatively. took
out another cigar.
'was it a fall from horseback that gave her
that scar % asked.
"a fall from horseback! Madame Delavan-
ii No, Sir, that seam on her cheek was made
by the claws of tiger. It's rather curious
sort of story, and don't mind telling it, ifyoud
like to hear 1t !; but for the Lords sake don't
let her know I've been talking of her, If you
should happen to scrape acquaintance with her
when you 60 back to the inn."
"Has she such dislike Of being talked
about ?"
II rather think she has. You see she's not
quite right in the upper story, poor soul ; but
rshe rides beautifully, and doesn't know what
fear means. You'd scarcely believe how hand
some she looks at night when she's dressed for
the ring. Her face lights mp almost as well as
1t used to do ten yearS ago, before she had the
accident. All, she was handsome in those
days, and used to be run after by all the gen.
tlemen like mad. But she never was bad
lot, never-wild and self-willed, but never q
wicked woman, as I'll stake my life. I've been
her friend through thick and thin, when she
needed friend, and I've understood her bet
ter than others.
She was only twelve years old when she
came to us with her father, noted 1on-tamer
He was o man that drank hard now and then
and was very severe with her at such times
but she always had brave spirit, and never
knew her to quail before him or before the
beasts. She used to take her share in all the
old mans performances, and when he died
and the lions were sold OF, our proprietor KEEP,
a tiger for her to perform with. He was the
cleverest of all the animals, but queer tenn
ner. and it needed spirit like Caroline Della
yantPs to face him. She rode in the circus as
well as performing with the tiger, and she was
altogether the most valuable member OF the
company, and was very well paid for hel
work. She was eighteen when her father died
and within year Of his death she married
Joseph Wayle, our scene-painter.
was rather surprised at this marriage, for
fancied Caroline might have done better. Joe
was thirty-five if he was day-a pale, sandy
haired fellow, not much to look at. and by ne
means a genius. But he was awfully fond o
Caroline. He had followed her about like 6
dog ever since she came among us, and
thought she married him more out of pity thar
love told her so one day, but she only
, laughed, and said,
"He's too good for me, Mr.. Waters, that:
the truth. don't deserve to be loved as ht
loves me-"
The newly married couple did indeed seen
to be very happy together. II was treat L
see Joe stand at the wing and watch his wife
through her performances, ready to put &
shawl over her pretty white shoulders wheI
she had done, or to throw himself between hel
and the tiger in case of mischief. She treated
him in a pretty, patronizing sort OF way, as /
he had been ever so much younger than hel
instead of twelve years her senior. She uset
to stand upon tiptoe and kiss him before al
the company, sometimes at rehearsals, muct
TO his delight He worked like a slave in III,
hone of improving his position as he improved
in his art, and he thought nothing too goot
for his beautiful young wife. They had yer.
comfortable lodgings about half mile frou
the manufacturing town where we were sta
toned for the winter months, and lived as wei
as smple folks need live.
Our manager was proprietor of a second
theatre, at a seaport town, fifty miles ava.
from the place where we were stationed ant
when pantomime time was coming on, poor
e-Joseph waylie was ordered off to paint tht
orief. as his work was likely TO keep him
month or six weeks away from his wife. !
was th9gfr first parting, and the husband felt i
deeply. He left Caroline to the care of an ol(