Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1890-11-21
A COUNTRY CIRCUS

tons, with that fair maiden following
close in pursuit, her checked s%unbonnet
waved above her head like an ensign Of
war. Leander stood and watched the
pursuit with the cool, impartial smile
Of y disinterested spectator until the
specified fugitive %bethought herself to
dart heudlong into the sunny angle OF
the stone wall. Vice the scarlet spheres
Of ripening tomatoes basked on a rude
wooden frame. At the supreme second
he swooped noiselessly down from his
unseen vantage point and seized Old
Speckle by her luttering wings.
Here's your fowl, Terebinth, said he.
"Well. | declarel' said Miss Terebinth,
according a reluctant admiration to the
defines of the capture. And I've been
chasin' the creature this ten minutesl
I'm goin' 70 have q fricassee for dinner"
Company cominI"
II mean to ask Elder Atkinson and his
wife"
Don't ask EN-" said Leander. Put
It of till some other time, Terebinth."
For goodness sake! whyY'
Leander Dr. $ three squares Of yellow
p~asteboard from his pocket.
Look" sad he; 1--WE got tickets for
the circus to-night-for You and me and
Ally Ames."
Miss Terebinth's careworn visage
Frightened up. To these simple coun
try folk the annual visitation Of the cir
Gus signifed opera, theatre, polo and
athletic games all in one.
"Goodr' cried she, releasing the strug-
Cling hen. "Then I'll let Old Speckle go
this time. But. Leander, nave you asked
AliceY'
I'm going there now"
Are you sure she'll goY'
''Of course; why shouldn't she?"
Terebinth hesitated as she tied the sun
bonnet strings under her chin.
Perhaps that young English tourist
that boards at the hotel-Capt. Cassoll
they call him. don't they"
Leander's handsome. sunburned yisage
dukened.
What of himY' said he, sharply.
He may have asked her. Don't be
vexed. Leander," she added, pleadingly.
Folks do say she's dreadful took up
with him. and | don't knows | wonder
80 much after l heard him talk t'other
night to Mary Bailey's Chinese party.
He's travelled most everywhere: and if
you could hear him describe the tigers
he killed in Ceylon and the elephants
he's hunted on the Niger river
"Oh, hang the tigers and the ele-
phantsy' impatiently broke in Leander.
II don't believe a word of it. | dare say
hos all very well; but, for my part, l
haven't much opinion Of a fellow that
losfs around a hotel piazza in hay max
ing time, doing nothing, with a white
scarf on his hat, and a sash, for all the
world like a girls, tied around his
waist!"
ats the fashion, - said T~erebinth.
"a queer fashion. think" comment
ed Leander.
Hes rery brave mana regular
hero" " on Terebinth. He served
in her h ,Sty's White Heeled Horse
once during a London riot, and"-
And did wonders, | don't doubt" in.
%terrupted Leander. But l don't SEE
what all this has to do with us and Calu.
NETS circus"
He took up his hat from the grass
where it had been rcposing among but.
tercups and white clover blossoms all
this time, AID started off at a brish
walk. Terebinth looked .dolefully after
him.
Poor Leander," said she, half aloud
'Tm afraid he's going to be badly disap-
pointed"
Alice Ames was sitting on the porcl
under the green, shifting shadows of tn,
hop vines shelling Lima beans to dry a.
Leander Rockwells fine, tall figure can't
swinging up the path. He was very
handsome. thought the girl, but he lack
ed the ease and polish of the dapper lit
tie captain Of ''her majesty's White
Heeled Horse" His clothes bore evi
dence Of country cut-his boots were
powdered with dust, and his face wa
bronzed with August heats.
How do you do. Allyy" said he, anC
Alice. remembering the deferential man
ner with which the captain always ad
dressed her as miss Ames," answered
with a toss Of her head:
"Im pretty well, thank your
I've been gettin' some tickets for the
circus tonight, Ally said he, plunginl
con amore into his subjectl "Will you
go with meY'
"Thank you, ever so much" said she
OOpln Tor a IreSn udnuIul OF Jue Vol
vety. green pods "but I've promiseC
Capt. Cassell to go with himT'
"Humphr' observed Leander, $50 I'm
too late?'
Eyes, a little too late"
SIS it to be always 30, Allyn
II don't know what you mean, Lean
der"
"You used to care for me a little be
fore this Boosting captain Of horse cam
here"
'Ihke you well enoughnow, Leander.
"Wel enough to marry me:"
II don't think you're justified in ask
ing me any such questions" said Alice
jumping up and retreating hurried.
into the house.
81 understand remarked Leander
grimly. 81 don't stand any chanc
alongside Of the tiger hunting hero. It
pity we haven't q few wild beasts il
these woods to kill. The captain mus
miss bis occupation. Well, good after