The Press., 1884-06-26
THE QUEEN OF THE CIRCUS.

AOW SuOlIs CaItSl U4S DSu, OI tAc bLaf0lpS caravan; two or three wives of the men attached to the exhibition were round her, endeavoring by their exertions to relieve momentarily increasing pain, and helping her to bear it patiently by their sympathy.
 "He ought to have been here half an hour ago, said one of the women. ssJim started for him on the piebald two hours since''
 'Did he take the piebald ?" said anoth- CT. "Why, thought he was in the Ital- ian Lovers ?"
 ''No, he wouldn't run with the spotted mare, so they've put the blind gray with her, and took the piebald in the quadrille for Dick Gravel to take bottom couple with.''
 The explanation seemed satisfactory for silence ensued.
 Presently roar of such laughter as IS only heard in a circus at 6 country village fresh, genuine, hearty-shook the sides of the frail vehicle.
 ''What's that ?' said the apparently dy- ing woman.
 "Only your Bills Quaker story" said one.
 "Oh, then he'll soon behere, won't he ?'' said she.
 'fYes, he's only got thre ee more points, and then he'll come if he don't go in the OylDu
 Three faint peals of laughter told that the points had hit, but not so we'll as the Quaker story and then he came in.
 'sWell, said he, 'how is she now ?''
 ssI'm better, Bill,'' said the woman. "Can you stop little?'
 ''Yes; I don't go in next its Chapman s turn ;' and so saying, the man seated him. self by the side of the woman.
 She was still young, and, as far as the dim light hung from the roof would en- able Judgment to be formed, good-look- ing the cork -grimed eyebrows, cracked lips, and dry cheeks, toldIthat she too had appeared before the public for its amuse- ment; indeed the traces of rouge were still on parts of the face, and told too truly that she had lain there but short time only since the last evening performance indeed, when, during ode of her jumps through the hoop, mans putting on her hat startled the horse, and so caused a fa- tai step, which brought her heavily to the ground. The experienced ring master saw she could scarcely stand, and handed her out, kissing her hand in the usual style; and few, if any. of the spectators knew that when raptuously applauding the most unparalleled feat-the feat from the horses back through the hoop to the ground-their applause was unheard by their intended object. She had fainted immediately on reaching the dressing room. and was at once carried to the nov ing chamber where she now lay.
 But to return. She took his hand in hers, saying s'Bill, don't think I shall go round any more.''
 'Don't say so, lass it'll be all right when the doctor comes. 'i
 "No, Bill i; ''I feel better, but something tells ne I've put on the togs for the last time,'
 ssAfter pause she said ''Bill, you recollect that London chap with the French name that came down t3 the Doncaste1 races?'
 "Oh, yes, I know" said the man, hal angrily, as if wishing to avoid the subject
 "Well, you know you said at that time that you thought there was something be tween me and him.
 "Well, know it, said the man, ''bui don't think of that nov don't trouble about that now"
 ''But must, Bill think I'm dying i, Bill, dear, and should like you to think of me when I'm gone, as am truly, Bill. , The man made no answer
 s'Bll, " said the woman, with increasing vehemence of manner, Hdo you believe I'd tell you lie now?"
 No answer still.
 "Bil Do you think I'd tell you lie now ?' said she, as though her life depend ed on his answer. 'No, no, lass, said he, at last, s'I don't think you'd tell a lie any time-but now -" and he hesitated
 man.
 "Here," said one of the youngest wo men, standing up, so that she might be seen GWhat do vou want 2'' ''Jennie, you'll find the key of the greer trunk in the china mug with Nelly on it I wish you'd look in the box, and get mt my old Bible out. The girl found the key and asked where the box was? .. "Oh dear, forgot, it's under me-" said the woman.
 '"There, never mind," said he, 'I don' want any fuss about it. ''Oh, Bill, dear, wish you'd lift me u1 a little, and pull it out. You can put the broken chair under to keep me up then" "No, never mind, said he, ''itll pair you so.''
 "Oh, Bill, dear, don't mind, I wisl you would.''
 He did it at last; and, after some trou ble, and few suppressed groans, the bo1 was pulled out to the middle of the floor opened, and there, wrapped up ill pape and neatly hid, was the Bible; the pape ! greasy, from long contact with disuset } head dresses, garlands, bands and othe small accessories of the dress of the queer of the circus. They gave it to the woman who soon asked, ''Where's Mary ?'' }, s'Oh, she is here now," said one of tn, d women and girl about five came run Il ming in. She had only been performing e the part of little fairie in the iust-finish ed scene her wand was still in her hand > and the gauge wings on her shoulders l she took them oil, laid down the silveret T. stick, and came to the bed T sr "Mary, dear, are you there ?'' {. 2. ''Yes, mother. I'm just done, and thu d people clapped so when Julia took me ol Il her shoulders.
 a. ssPut her on the box, she can't see her, g suggested someone; it was pushed to wher, the child stood, and then the mother said - "Mary I'm going away" ; "Oh, mother, where to ?' : "But before I go, want you to see fath : CT and friends again" The child stared with wonder but the woman, not heed ing her, continued "Bill, dear, hav y you got the paper off the bible? Well open it at the New Testament"
 "Here, one of you women find it. Jen If nie, will you p said the man.
 Jennie did it, and gave it back.