Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-05-27
Lola Fay.

A grand medley Of sounds by the
brass band. The white-gIoyed attaches
Of Pecktin and Piebald's cirque drew mp
ct either side Of the ring entrance. The
siIken curtains parted, and young wo.
man in cloudy mass Of ganze-be-
spangled skirts bounded into the ring.
Her pretty face wreathed in smiles as
she curtsied and kissed her hands to the
applauding audience.
Then she vaulted upon the bare back
OF the horse that stood proudly arching
It's glossy neck, as If aware of the honor
Of carrying such dainty charming little
figure as that Of the young but daring
equestrienne, Lola Fay.
Close to the ring-curb sat q man, whose
eyes followed with wistful intentness
every motion Of horse and rider. A man
counting at least thirty years, not hand
some, but with that honest raggedneas
Of purpose shining from out his gray
eyes, and showing itself in the square
cut chin and thin firm lips-a man
whose hands had been soiled and rough
ened by hard work, but whose heart was
as yet free from guile.
Once or twice, as the intrepid rider
executed some daring feat, a look Of
anxiety, mingled with passionate yearn-
ing, swept across the mans face, and
the veins Of his hands stood out like
whipcords, as clenching them he NUT
tered beneath his breath:
s'Great Heavens cannot bear IL.
AS he arose and sought to make his
way out, cries Of 'sSit down Down in
front r greeted him. They reached the
ears Of the young equestrienne and
caused her to glance enquiringly in their
direction. A faint exclamation escaped
her lips. She lost her balance, thereby
missing the paper-hocp t1rUugh which
she was to jump.
In moment oil was confusion. The
man, ct the sight of the riders swaying
figure, had sprung over the ring-curb
into the ring. The audience saw him
grasp the 1.-the form Of the circus-girl
from beneath the horses hoofs; saw him
stagger back and fall as the frightened
horse kicked ont wildly.
Then a woman's agonized scream
cut the air with heaxtrending sound,
and sharp and shrili echoed the
words
ssMy God, have killed him ~ az Lola
Fay threw herself upon the ground be-
aide the man, and sought TO raise his
senseless body Ia her arms.
Some eighteen months previous to the
opening of our story, the little village Of
Quietton was awakened into q decided
state OF excitement by flaming posters
Of the advent Of . circus within their
midst. These honest but narrow
minded villagers were mostly Of the
opinion that it was encouraging the
devil to allow q show within their pre-
cfnct Nevertheless, the majority were
inclined to learn more Of this wicked
ness, doubtless the better to enable
them TO depict les pitfalls.
The eventful day arrived, and Quiet
ton was crowded Is oyerhowing with in
coming visitors and the show folk.
It was with rather feeling Of doubt
ing his approval, that kindly Mrs. Sturdy
informed her son John that she had let
her spare-room to two Of The cirous-
folks, adding:
"Ior, John, couldn't help 4 they
we're 90 friendly ike Not bit what
you'd think. Real ladies, I'd have said.
IL I hadn't known them for the show
folks. >
ssWell, mother, IS It Is only for
night. there's not much harm done any
way; but I've always heard that such
folks gave . sight Of trouble, and -"
The rest a The sentence died upon
Johns lips e : young girl tripped into
the room with:
s'Oh. could you please tel me the
time9 Ny watch han stopped, holding
out q tiny gold repeater.
Nolhing IKE this dainty Bit 81 hu-
mainly bad ever crossed John Sturdy's
path.
Was IA her delicate creamy shin. or
the soft lustre q her deep hazel eyes
Did The charm lie b the grace d her
tiny figure, OF ii her childliko appealng
Waysg
he could NOT have told, brit from that
moment. John Sturdy loved this young
r.irers-siirl with I'll the strength and rnr-
sion d hia great noble heark
Not tha& he wss aware That she new
tinn he zelt WAS lore. = lsaaa not
un,n hsy brought Der home that night
pale and weak kgon broken axm. md
he rods fhe did mare ss ~ had nsfs1
don8 before. e the ghooring teu
l0E dcc
Fot hta1 sl|n - j 1s. blinking s