Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-03-26

saw tins growing intimacy between her
and the Northerner, ground his teeth
with vexation, and was constantly play
ing the miserable part of spy.
And this was the ease at the rehear-
sal aud when Scott assisted her from
the horse, threw cloak about her should
ers and escorted her homeward, he was
constantly within hearing, and through a
little boe he had made between the
usual sittng-room and his own apart
ment he heard and saw all that passed
Catalina" said Scott, after she had
thrown aside her wraps and appeared in
all her rich tropical beauty, II wish
you would give up that last act
The hoop of daggers 2"
" Yes. 1t causes cold shuddcr to
run over me every time | see you at
tempt it"
why !" And her red lips parted
with a smile--one intended as Innocent
ly doubtful-but her deep bushes re-
vealed an innate knowledge
" Becausc--it is very dangerous.
" Is that all 2"
"No, Lima, because"
You love me, John p and the i'm
petuous girl threw herself within his
gladly opened arms, and the old, old
story was told, and the old vows were
plightcd
Now, john" she continued, as she
released herself, radiant with bushes as
a summer morning, "you mustn't think
of that hoop. You know there is
trick in it that deeeives the audience"
Still it is not safe, and | wish you
would give it up, if only for my sake
So ! will, my dear John-after we
are married." And the willful beauty
took both his checks in her hands,
pinched them roguishly, pretended to
kiss them, then danced laughiugly away.
The Spanish rival saw all this, and
his face became infinitely more black and
his temper at white heat He crushed
bitter oath between his teeth, and with
his black eyes glaring with all the ma
Lightly of a serpent he stole away to pom
der upon some means Of revenge.
Supremacy happy in the newborn
glory of love returned, Catalina went
singing around the house and when
the time came for her to go to the Am
phitheatre, } ohm Scott found her dressed
more deliberately than he had ever seen
her before, with crown of natural
damask roses circling her head and max
ing her hair still more strikingly rich in
its blackness.
" You are dressed wonderfully becom-
ing to night, Lima" he whispered as he
passed along.
"Am l. John y with the most charm
ing nonchalance. " Well. | dressed
only for you, old fellow, and not the au-
dieuce."
Forced to leave her side in order to
put on his grootesque attire, and busy
within the ring to make nirth for the
multitude, no matter how heavy his own
heart might be. John Scott had no
further opportunity Of conversation-in-
deed scarcely saw her until her act came
But yet he found time to see that her
horse was rightly caparisoned, every
strap drawn tightly, buckle secure, and
to even whisper in her ear:
9 DO take good care of yoursel, Lima :"
" For your sake, yes, she answered
with a feryent pressure Of his hand
In another instant he was in the ring,
with his everlasting " Here | am, mas
ter" had inquired what next, and been
told !" la Sylphide, and the girl cour-
tesying to the stamping feet and clap
ping hands, was lifted upon her horse
las much beauty aud as fiery as her
self-and was dashing around the ring
poised tiptoc upon the pad, as light al
most as a veritable sylph.
One after another the various phases
of her part was gone through with great
eclat Then the speed Of the horse was
checked, and she received the homage 81
plaudits due to her beauty and genius,
while the hoop with which the browning
act was to be performed was passed
around,
There is no deception in that, Mr.
Merryman," said the master-of-horse.
9 No sir. It's the genuine article,
and the clown could not help but vince
as he thought how small space was
left for the passage through Of Catalina.
+" That the public may have an oppor-
tunity of Judging for themselves we have
invited inspection"
9 And the asses" was whispered
back, - will help along the humbug-
ging."
Now, then, Mr. Merryman, you
will please inform La Sylphide that we
are waiting for the wonderful exhibition
Of grace and daring"
1t was done, but at the same time
with another caution, to be acknowl-
edged with bushes. Meanwhile the
hoop was circlipg the ring. 1t was a
stout, oaken frame, with knife blades set
firmly, pointed within, and riyeted be-
yond the possibility of moving blades
with thin double edges outward, and as
sharp az steel could be NADIA murder
Gus looking instrument, and it involun-
tarily reminded ono of ancient torture.
With shudder running through his
frame, John Scott banded it to the man
who was to hold it up, and whose bust
ness it was to change it unseen for anoth-
cr like it in all respects to the careless
observer-anothcr but with dull blades,
and so set that very slight pressure
would cause them to spring back and
offer no resistance. The man was the
Spaniard aud IN order to afford him
plenty Of time to substitute the counter
/ felt for the reat a loot a osrinaace and