Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-05
CHAPTER III.

The rain was falling now In torrents, tn
riders were swarming in and out of theil
dressing room, so it was no place for tn
poor fairy.
Condor was wanted there; he would sci
dom 90 home before the whole performanc
was at an end, he might be called for; h
was always ready to make himself useful
the gentlemen used to come round and asl
to see him, and, last of all, he must give tn
lions some dainties, some scraps of meat q
reward and bribe.
Elsie had gone into the women's partition
She looked very white, but there was
strange look of determination on her face
One of the female riders, tall, handsom
girl, in Amazon costume, asked her if sh
was tired.
"You have lost your color, my dear" sh
said; 81 used to lose my color once. 1t i
all matter OF feeling; if you care much fo
anyone employed at our game, it's all NJ
with you. Look how much better | worl
now. am twice as good as was since
She turned away. Elsie's eyes followed
her wistfully-the summons had come; th'
girl ran off on to the arena, making quicker
more brilliant entree than usual.
She and her brother Tom used to do won
derful things on the trapeze, wears ago. He
foot slipped, she failed him once. There wal
q tragedy column in the Times the next day
Poor Tom died that night, holding her hanC
fast, and after that the Queen of the ANA
zons disappeared. The company paid fol
her sojourn in Bedlam for a time, and vel
coined her when she came back. She worked
all the better for having no one to care for
at least so she said.
Elsie put on her big waterproof cloak,
drawing the hood over her head. The
women were all busy and she stole out unob.
served. On one side of the enclosure occu-
pied by the circus the lions cage had been
placed; a great wooden and tarpaulin shed
sheltered them, and in one corner OF the
shed burned small fire, over which two ol
the keepers crouched, their blankets drawn
round them.
Elsie came swiftly up to them-'T am
ready" she said. 'See, here is youl
money"
One of the keepers rose heavily to his feet
"You know your own business, missus," be
said. "Stay, I'll light the lamps. 1t aim
no business of mine" he grumbled, land i
harm come of it, Dick there must bear me
witness-Dion amt in the best of humol
tonight.
Il can manage him." said Elsie, fear
lessly.
The man lighted two or three lamps hang.
ing round the shed. 1t was an imperfect
light at best. The lions were moving rest
lesslv about except old Dion, who lay al
usual close to the bars.
The keeper held out KEY to Elsie. She
paused moment, threw off her waterproof
cloak and stood there in her brilliant fairy
dress with little pointed white wand in bel
hand, the masses of her golden hair stream.
ing round her, and the light cleaning
strangely on the star on her brow.
With quick movement she opened the
the door and walked in among the lions. She
went from one to another, shining, sparkling
and glittering, touching their great head,
with her little wand even stroking and pat
ting old Dion, utterlng those strange, sharp
little circus or es with which the riders en-
courage their horses as she went They
seemed quite at home with her. and after a
moment or two she came out, locked the door
behind her and returned the key.
''They are quite friendly with me now, are
not they?" she said to the keeper.
He nodded surlily. aye, hes aid, "but
it amt nature-I don't like it,
She laughed lightly. Good night" she
said. She was going, wrapping herself in
her cloak, when the keeper, who had been
sitting all the time over the fire, raised his
surly head and said gruffly: 81 say, missus,
you tell your man not to trust old Dion no
further than he can see him. That was an
ugly Jump he made at the last to-day"
The color forsook Elsie's face; her knees
shook. "Dion jumped?" she said.
'He did, the ladies and gentlemen thought
it was all part of the job; but Dion didn't
ought to have done it, tell Bill so."
81 will" she said, hoarsely.
81 Al H.
was pouring, the ground one mass of mud
and water. Elsie was glad when she got
back into shelter.
The Amazon had just come off the arena,
her eyes shining.
Il took the great jump, Elsie. did, -
she exclaimed. Listen, child! listen to
the houseP
"They want an encore" said Elsie.
"And they may want it," said the girl,
fercely. 'Its the encores that do the mis-
chief. Harkp'
The manager appeared. Jennie must 60
on 10 acknowledge the applause
Elsie stole away,
1t was verv late before Will was ready.
Among the gentlemen who had come to see
him was Sir Maxwell Bede. He spoke very
kindly to the man, so kindly that he looked
up at him with a sudden gleam in his great
hollow eyes of gratitude.
"You have bad cold, my friend" said
the doctor.
Eyes, sir, I have had it some time and
cannot spare the time to nurse it. We have
one more exhibition here, and after that ]
think I'll lay up bit and let nv wife look
after me-"
When is the next performance" said
Sir Maxwell Bede, taking the mans hand
and letting his fingers fall care1essly on the
throbbing pulse. The surgeon felt the pulse
bound as the man answered: Tomorrow
sir, the same hour. We do very well if the
public mind the Governor, and don't ap.
plaud, and first night they generally do, but
when they get used to the thing they forget
For Coos sake, sir, keep 'em quiet"
The drops gathered on his brow.
you must appear tomorrow, then," said
the surgeon, quietly.
'Must?' Poor Will laughed drearily.
f'Why, what would you gentlemen say il
we broke our engagements? After that, as
say, the Governor promises me week-a
week in bedl''
81 am glad. 1 will see you again. Good
night, nv friend"
Five minutes later Elsie and Will trudged
home. He coughed necessarily and some
times was obliged to stand still and hold on
by lamp post till his breathing became
easier.
You are worse tonight, darling" said
Elsie, anKiously. ''It is this damp night "
He nodded and, leaning on her arm. they
went on again.
Somebody came 1p behind and drew
Wills arm on to his-a man with a care
worn face and clOse-cA Appped white hair.
Lean ON me, old chap" he said. Here