Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-08-28
A COUNTRY CIRCUS.


Thus caroling her way the specified
hen tapped wildly around among Miss
Terebinth Rockwell's dahlias aud lcarna-
tons, with that fair maiden following
close in pursuit, her checked sunbonnet
waved above her head like an ensign Of
war. Leander stood and watched the
pursuit with the cool, impartial smile
of a disinterested spectator until the
speckled fugitive bethought herself to
dart headlong into the sunny angle Of
the stone wall, where the scarlet spheres
of ripening tomatoes basked on rude
wooden frame. At the supreme second
he swooped noiselessly down from his
unseen vantage point and seized Old
Speckle by her fiuttering wings.
Here's your fowl, Terebtnth, said he.
"Well, declarer' said Miss Terebinth,
according a reluctant admiration to the
dizziness Of the capture. "And I've been
chasin' the creature this ten minutesl
I'm g0in' to have fricassee for dinner"
Company comin'?"
al mean to ask Elder Atkinson and his
wife"
Don't ask EN-" said Leander. Put
it off till some other time, Terebinth."
For goodness sake! whyY'
Leander drew three squares of yellow
pasteboard from his pocket.
Look" said 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 III let Old Speckle go
this time. But, Leander, have you asked
Alice!"
"Tm going there now"
care you sure she'll go?'
"Of course; why shouldn't she?"
Terebinth hesitated as she tied the SUM-
bonnet strings under her chin.
Perhaps that young English tourist
that boards at the hotel--Capt. Cassen
they call him. don't they
Leander's handsome sunburned visage
darkened.
What Of him." 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
so much arter 1 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-
phantsr impatiently broke in Leander.
al don't believe q word Of 1t. dare say
he's all very we'll; but, for my part, 1
haven't much opinion Of a fellow that
loafs around hotel piazza In hay max
ing time, doing nothing, with a white
scarf on his hat, and sash, for all the
world like a girls, tied around his
waistr'
"It's the fashion, said Terebinth.
"a queer fashion, think" comment
ed Leander.
"He's a very brave mana regular
hero" went on Terebinth. HE served
in her majesty's White Heeled Horse
once during London riot, and"-
"And did wonders, don't doubt, in
terrupted Leander. "But 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 reposing among but
tercups and white clover blossoms all
this time, and started off at a brisk
walk. Terebinth looked :dolefully after
him.
poor Leander," said she, half aloud,
"Pm afraid he's going to be badly disap-
pointed"
Alice Ames was sitting on the porch
under the green, shifting shadows Of the
hop vines Smelling Lima beans to dry as
Leander Rockwell's fine, tall figure came
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 evil
dence of country cut-his boots were
powdered with dust, and his face was
bronzed with August heats.
How do you do, Allyn" said he, and
Alice, remembering the deferential man
ner with which the captain always ad-
dressed her as Miss Ames," answered,
with toss of her head:
I'm pretty well, thank you"
eve been gettin' some tickets for the
circus tonight, Ally" said he, plunging
con amore into his subject! viii you
go with meT"
"Thank you, ever SO much" said she,
stopping for a fresh handful of the vel
vety, green pods, "but I've promised
Capt. Casse1 to go with himI"
''HumphT' observed Leander, $50 I'm
too later
eyes, little too late"
els it to be always so, Ally?"
~ don't know what you mean, Lean
der"
"You used to care for me little be-
fore this boasting captain of horse came
here"
like you well enough now, Leander."
"Well enough to marry me"
81 don't think you're justified in ask
ing me any such questions" said Alice,
jumping up and retreating hurriedly
into the house.
81 understand" remarked Leander,
grimly. 81 don't stand any chance
alongside of the tiger hunting hero. It's
a pity we haven't few Wild beasts In
these woods to kill. The captain must
miss his occupation. Well, good after
noon. Ally, Terebinth and 1 win have
to go to the circus by ourselves, sup
pose"
The mammoth tent on Durhn CON-
mon was crowded that night. Calumet's
circus was q local celebrity and had been