The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1871-12-14
Select Storp.
NINETTE,
THE QUEEN OF THE RING.

which needed funds, and there was every
prospect of a fashionable, as well as a
crowded house. Ninette, our equestrian
queen, had entered more fully into the
spirit of the scene than any OF US, although
we were all more than anxious to make
the affair great success.
How loved Ninettel So oddly, too,
that sometimes my own love almost be-
wildered me; Its persistency having no
hope IL 1t, yet its hopelessness having no
| despair It was love that never was
moved by her Indifference or scorn, and
never weakened bv her contempt. She
was proud of her own beauty and of her
! power over Us all, and she never attempt
ed to hide this-never domineering over
the female performers, who were all elder
and palmer than herself, but domineering
most despotically over every male per-
former in the circus. But she did it so
prettily and bewitchingly that l was not
| the only one who had laid his love at her
| feet to be trampled on at her girlish pleas
ure. l had but poor health then, and this
was one source of Ninette's merry sarcasm.
We moved into the dimly lighted build
/ ing which surrounded the tent, and look
ed in at the performance.
"The circus Is crowded." Ninette whis-
| pered, as she sauntered out with me- q
hardly ever remember our having such a
crowd, Ricardo"
"And hope we never shall have it
again., I painted, unbuttoning my coat
"The place is sitting"
"Oh, I hope we shall" she laughed,
merrily; 81 should like to see hundreds
turned away from the doors, and no room
left inside even for one child more"
I went into the rig amid the deafening
applause of the crowd, and bowing slight
ly, walked coolly across the ring. thought
nothing of the mass of faces rising in rows,
but I remembered that Ninette could see
me, and that she had SAID I was helping
in q good cause. l felt tlat i had per-
formed as had hardly ever performed be-
fore, and the long applause was again and
again renewed as I left the ring. What
would Ninette say? Would she congra-
tulate me? Passing through the dimly-
lighted building outside the tent, where
the horses waited, I caught sight of two
figures standing aside in the shadow
Nlnette and gentleman, an army officer
whom l had met that mo-ning-talking
low and earnestly had often noticed
him in the circus, and noticed his evident
admiration Of Ninette, still l had neyel
seen him out there among US before, and
started as l came I'D to them IN the gloom
Ninette carelessly turned her eyes upon
me for moment, then went on talking
coquettishly and hippantly it seemed &c
me. I took her horse from the man who
was bringing it forward and myself led il
toward her
care you ready, Mile. Ninette ?" ]
asked, my voice trembling against my will
Ready? Why ?" she inquired, with
slow contempt.
ALLOW me o, pray allow me. Mad
emoiselle," exclaimed the stranger, start
ing forward. And Ninette, smiling, pu
her foot into his hand.
Seating herself in the saddle with tn,
utmost ease, she carelessly, as it seemed
backed Black Hawk against me. "Signo
Ricardo" she said haughtily, sis this thu
spot where the gentlemen of our company
usually rest between their exercises in tht
ringP An ironical answer rose to my lips
but withheld the words.
Stand back. if you please. Signer
Must you always follow me2 alway
! haunt me? Stand back"
r With a quick change Of voice and
bright, shy smile, she bent to take he
little gllded whip as the officer handed
to her
Thanks, Monsieur le Capitaine" An,
be only stroking the neck of the splendit
! black horse, she reined himo in, skillfull,
= and lmperceptiblx, until he touched m.
shoulder.
I turned away without answering: anC
for the first time Ninette performed with
out my eyes following her graceful mo
items. The strange gentleman moved t
= the opening into the tent, but when sh
| L. -,
her success, he came forward again eagerly
: She drew up her lithesome little fgur
with a dash of odd pride, and turning
Black Hawk rapidly aside, sprang to tn
ground unassisted. Her part was playe
for that night, and while the loud clappin
within was continued, she walked slowl
out into The darkness; her long crimso
haDit over her arm, her little cap pushe
from her bright, excited face, and her eye
raised to the young officer who walked be
side her,
After that, all Is burning confusion i
my brain until one evening when l awok
to consciousness in the hospital for whic
# l had been performing, and heard tn
= physicians (who had seen me fsll, and ha
attended pityingly upon me ever since
> whisper that all would be well in time
"Ricardo, dear fellow" said the manager
i coming forward softly, and bending t
whisper to me. "Thank God, ell will b
l. we'll The worst is over"
[ hardly know when the knoWledg
dawned upon me, or how; but as I Ia
Z there - my old companions clusterin
d round mel knew that I had performe
. among them for the last time. I kne'
that life had most wonderfully and mere
tUlly been spared me; but that 1 shoul
never walk again. / do not remembt
that the knowledge came with any shar
or bitter pain; think it was a quie
hopeless conviction from the Iirst. The
had given me small room in the hospiti
to myself; perhaps to spare Others th
sight of my suffering; partly, perhaps, b'
Cause l had hurt myself in their cause.
So the days and nights passed on an
:. slowly brought me little ease at last.
One morning Monsieur, entering m
room with a brighter face than usual, tol
me Ninette had come to see me. l ie
"a the blood rush into my wan face as I too
her little warm hand in both my own.
!" "Ohl you are so much better, Ricardo
r. she said, her small lips trembling a lit
n as she looked at me. 1--WE eshall soon haV
ie you back in your place among u.s."
ss Ishook my head slowly. "Never agail
Ninette."
lo Why" she asked in feigned astonisl
10 ment.
as 81 shall never walk again anywhere,
le think, Ninette; certainly not on the vii
n rating wire. I know l must be at
lame all my life; and IN trying, as 1 l
here, to become accustomed to the though
Id and to feel prepared"
IL mol mol" she cried, quickly. Don
III try to get accustomed to it, Ricardo. TT
;. to think OF getting well, and that will hel
~ you to do So"
l. "Will IT'D Then will try" answere
es struggling with my sadness. when 9
you leave here2
"A leave here2 o, don't know. M
till you are well, should think. VIII.
10 Ricardo" she added, as 1 smiled incred
ulously, don't you know that tO-nigl
Id We are all going to perform for your benz
fit? You've not heard, you say7 Wh.
what has Monsieur found to talk to 20
n about, then, for he talks to me- of nothin
o. else? wish could have brought you OF
= of the enormous bills, headed Ricardo
Rene6t' in lettera "a large as mysel