Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-01-28


slightest touch-knew the meaning too, as
she declared, of every word she said to him.
If ever steed was proud Of the burden he
bore, then did Silverheel exult when his lit
tie mistress was placed on his back. At her
behest he would patiently practice the most
difficult feats over and over again, never
seeming to grow weary while she was the
partner of his tolls. Her severest chastise'
ment of him when he was slow at learning
and this was never inflicted without much re-
luctance on her part-was the application OF
very harmless little whip about his ears
and this punishment he would meekly bend
his head to receive, looking as unhappy and
crest-fallen as if conscious of some terrible
disgrace; nor would he recover his spirits un-
til she testified, by her renewed kindness OF
tone and manner, that she was no longer dis
pleased with him. He was quite alive to the
value of popular favor, and received applause
with great delight, evidently taking a fair
share of it to himself
1t seemed, on this especial evening, as
though he understood and participated in
Nita's desire to propitiate the manager by an
unusual display of skill. Never had his PAGES
been more admirable, or in more perfect har-
mony with every movement of his rider
while Zauta, on her side, strained every nerve
to excel in the part she had to perform. The
peerless grace of her attitudes, the fearlessness
and dexterity with which she accomplished
the most difficult feats of leaping, vaulting
and pirouetting, the rapidity and ease with
which she changed her tactics, as she was re-
quired to do so, elected burst after burst OF
applause from the spectators, in whose eyes
she was marvel of courage and skill
As she passed in front of the two young
men before mentioned, while riding lesurely
round in an interval of rest during the per-
formance, an exquisite white camellia was
thrown to her by the dark-eyed youth, who
leaned eagerly forward as he did so. The
flower fell just in front of the horses feet, and
was picked up and presented to her by the
page who was holding the bride. Again
their eyes met, and this time an unmistakable,
arch smile rewarded him for his Offering
Zanita was as happy as child receiving a
new toy! The donor felt thrill of delight,
as he saw her take the camellia and place it in
the azure ribbon that bound her flowing hair.
One or two of the lookers.on smiled at the
little pantomime, and Fletcher Redeemed and
drew himself up stiHy, wondering how his
companion "could make himself such an as" !"
If it had been celebrated actress, or canta-
trice, or even a pretty ballet-dancer-but
circus girl the thing was preposterous
Zanita made her appearance but once, to
the great disappointment of her dark'eyed
admirer, who had confidently reckoned on
having the pleasure of seeing her again; and
the performance being over, the crowd dis.
persed, our two young gentlemen walking
slowly homeward arm-n-arm.
"That was splendid, wasn't ?" commenced
the hero of the camellia, as soon as they had
escaped from the throng
"What?" rejoiued Fletcher, rather shortly.
"That girls riding. By George, it would
be hard to beat, eh?"
II dare say. But unprofessional people are
not expected to beat the riding Of circus-wo-
men," said Fletcher, drily.
mo, or of circus,men either, I suppose.
But that girl was little beauty, too. She
didn't look like the rest of them, did she?'
"All of them looked pretty much alike to
me. Tinsel and spangles, and white slippers,
and pink legs, and chalk"
mo chalk on her, I'll be bound Her
complexion was like baby's; she was moth
ing like as artificial looking as half the young
ladies you've introduced me to since I've been
here. And her dress wasn't bad"
"Oh! no, it was very pretty, I thought,
what there was of it,"
"Wel, I think there was enough of it.
Now that blacked.eyed one, up in the what
do-you.call' l'em-you could see she was of a
different Sort"
"What will your father say when he hears
that Edmund Delaney is smitten with the
charms of circus.girl?"
"Smitten! Bosh, my dear fellow I'm not
smitten at all. Can't 1 admire pretty face,
whether it be on the shoulders of a circus-ri-
der or ballroom BELIEF"
Everybody noticed your enthusiasm"
"Well, who cares if they did,"
"To tell the TRUTH" said Fletcher rather
priggishly, 81 don't think such manifestations
are in good TASTE"
Edmund burst into merry laugh. "My
dear Fletcb," he said, slapping his junior on
the back, "to tell the truth, don't think
your airs of superiority are in good taste If
1 am couutry-bred, have an idea that un-
derstand the rules of propriety as we'll as you
do-and I have the advantage of four add-
tional years of wisdom besides"
Fletcher was silenced, ifnot convinced, by
this retort; and the two cousins-for such
was the relationship which they bore to each
other-accomplished the remainder of their
walk home without again aluding to the SUBJ
ject of Zanta's charms.
The young girls admirable performance
that evening had one result upon which she
had not reckoned-i made the manager swear
to himself that he would never lose from his
troupe one who reflected such credit upon it,
while at the same time he was more than ever
determined that she should play the part he
had assigned to her, which, he felt sure would
win for them all a fresh need of fame.
TTo BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.