News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-06-11
Lola FaV.

A grand medley Of sounds by the
brass band. The white-gloved attaches
OF Pecktin and Piebald's cirque drew up
at either side of the ring entrance. The
silken curtains parted, and young wo.
man in a cloudy mass of gauze-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
its glossy neck, as if aware of the honor
OF carrying such a dainty charming little
figure as that of the young but daring
equestrienne, Lola Fay.
Close to the ring curb sat man, whose
eyes followed with wistful intentness
every motion of horse and rider. Aman
counting at least thirty years, not hand
some, but with that honest rsggedness
of purpose shining from out his gray
eyes, and showing itself in the square
cut chin and thin firm ips-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 looA 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:
"Great Heavens I cannot bear it."
As he arose and sought to make his
way out, cries of ''Sit down Down in
front p 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-hoop through which
she was to jump.
In moment all was confusion, The
man, at the sight of the riders swaying
igure, 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 out wildly.
Then a woman's agonized scream
cut the air with heartrending sound,
and sharp and shrill echoed the
words
"My God, I have killed him /" as Lola
Fay threw herself upon the ground be-
side the man, and sought to raise his
senseless body in her arms.
Some eighteen months previous to the
opening of our story, the little village of
Quietton was awakened into 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 show within their pre-
cinct. Nevertheless, the majority were
inclined to learn more of this wicked
ness, doubtless the better to enable
them to depict its pitfalls.
The eventful day arrived, and Quiet
ton was crowded to overfowing 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 circus
folks, adding:
"Lor, John, I couldn't help 1t, they
were so friendly like. Not bit what
you'd think. Real ladies, I'd have said,
if I hadn't known them for the show
folks"
"Well, mother, as 1t Is only for a
night, there's not much harm done any
way; but I've always heard that such
folks gave sight of trouble, and -"
The rest Of the sentence died upon
Johns lips as young girl tripped into
the room with:
"Oh, could you please tell me the
timeP My watch has stopped" holding
out tiny gold repeater.
Nothing like this dainty bit of hu-
~tFsSs~s.-Ss+r7rSs,vs.-
path.
Was it her delicate creamy skin, or
the soft lustre of her deep hazel eyes
Did the charm lie in the grace of her
tiny figure, or in her childIike appealing
ways2
He could not have told, bnt from that
moment, John Sturdy loved this young
circus-girl with all the strength and pas
sion OF his great noble heart,
Not that he was aware that The new
sensation he felt was love, at least. not
until they brought her home that night
pale and weak from broken arm, and
he rode the old mare as he had never
done before, to the neighboring town
Tor doctor.
For hours John lay awake, thinking OF
he little sufferer beneath his roof. If 1t
lad only happened to him instead of
Ter If she would only let him, he
would take her from a life In which she
au such risks.
Would the village rise In holy horror
It his mating with the circus-girl The
rrandson of a minister He laughed
oftly to himself. The villagers and his
ncestors would never trouble him If he
ould but win her.
Then with bitterness he thought:
What have to offerP A great clumsy
allow. am not worthy of her. She
far too good for me-" And his
He was her only child, and
he were happy she would be content,
@ knew.
Early next morning the circus left
but Lola remained behind.
he cried little at parting with her
ster, whose care she had been from q
hid. In fact. the elder sister was al