Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1873-05-07
RicaFdO's Benefit.


"Ricardo, the champion athlete of Eu-
rope, in bis wonder inspiring evolutions
Ricardo, the uneqaalle performance on
the vibrating wire, for the benefit of the
infrmary of this town."
| read the glaring letters rather more
thoughtfully than | would have cared to
confess, but my eyes rested longest on the
one large red line in the centre of the long
poster
''NINETTE, THE EQUESTRIAN QUEEN"
Did Ninette, the star of the ROYAL
Cirque d. Antique, ever stop, as | did, to
read the words that were so familiar
Did she ever feel, as did a thrill of pride
at seeing our two names the chief attrac.
tions in the list ? Did she ever feel as
did, that we two, who were connected so
closely
."Sigaor Ricardo" cried a gay, clear
voice behind me, "does it feel like look
ing at yourself in glass ~
turned quickly to Ninette. the glad
ness Of my heart shining in my eyes as l
met hers. And well might my heart and ey-
es be glad to see Ninette. All so plainly
can | recall, as | write of her, the little
figure beside which l walked so happily
that day-that day, for the last time
The slight, small supple form whose ev-
cry movement had free, light grace Of a
little child. The bright, small face whose
pink cheeks never needed paint. The
big, blue. restless eyes, and the short fair
curls which lay fat on the low, white fore
head. With the brilliant look of perfect
health on her face; with the arch glance
in her merry mischevious eyes; with the
tasteful, picturesque dress which she al
ways chose ; Ninette was picture 10
gladden. any heart indeed.
81 Sc, it is grand new programme on
purpose for to-nigbt's performance" l
said, as we walked on; "and | see, too,
that am intended to eclipse you ALL"
Cor rather to eclipse yourself. Ricardo.
You surely cannot imagine it would be
possible for you to eclipse the Equestrian
Queen 2"
As Ninette spoke, we passed high
wall on which blazed huge colcred pic
ture representing girl in an unnatural
costume. standing in an unnatural posi-
ton, on the neck of most unnatural
horse. l turned away my eyes. for this
was supposed to be Ninette.
"What lcok of repugnance, Ricardo !"
she said, with her young musical laugh.
"Don't you think it like me?"
GAS much like you," l answered, 'as
the bare, sanded circus rings is like sun
lit meadow of sweet flowers"
Looking at her as spoke, | saw the
color mount in her soft, bright checks.
Not for moment did imagine that my
words had called it there, and looking for
the cause | noticed that gentleman who
met us had raised his hat to Ninette with
a long look of admiration. And then |
walked on beside her still more thought
fully.
You seem very cross, Ricardo" said
Ninette, presently, glancing coquettishly
into my face; II mean crosser even than
usual
"Who was that gentleman, Mademols-
ellie Ninette 2"
'1'm not quite sure about his name,
she answered, with cool slowness, "He is
a captain in the militia here, and he ad.
mires the Equestrian Queen immensely"
II suppose So"
Yes; he admires me very much in.
Decd" she continued oarelessly; $50 he
comes to every performance"
1T is well. Ninette, that you win ad-
| said, with quite ooldness
''you love it SO dearly"