Frederick citizen., 1895-02-08
FOL. a..

The trumpets peeled shrilly through
the streets of Middleton; every soul
rushed to the window. every passer-by
stopped In eager curiosity, little boys
sprang up the lampposts, carts and
vans cleared out of the way. A magni-
6cent procession-a circus, whose re-
newn had long preceded its advent.
was in the act of arriving.
A golden car came first, very brill
liant, drawn by pair of cream color
ed horses, decked with scarlet trap
pings. On the coachman's seat. which
was transformed into gorgeous
throne, sat fairy.
On her throne, high above the vulgar
herd, she looked fair enough. so fair
that the little boys clapped their hands
In ecstatic admiration. She had a small
pathetic face, with great blue eyes. the
carefully darkened lines round them
making them shine. She had a huge
mass of golden fluffy hair. blowing
back and round her face in q cloudy
bush. All her own. Elsie Condor had
such splendid hair that 1t was the envy
Of all her companions.
The fairy with a star on her brow
and long floating silver Gecked robes,
bent affably from her throne, and with
little fanciful salute of both hands,
flung perfumed programmes right and
left, as her triumphal car slowly pass
ed on its way.
All those who were lucky enough to
see one Of the programmes hardly
glanced at them, before pressing to see
what was to follow. This was the ex-
citing announcement.
Signor Guglielmo Condovino. the ia
nous lion tanner will perform tonight
among six savage lions
great barred cage on wheels was
passing now; strange wild beast odor
followed its pogress. On one side roll
ed and tumbled a clown. He was QUO
rng nonsense, grotesquely pretending
terror at the contents of the huge
cages. when a low, sullen roar was
heard and he counterfeited a swoon of
iear. The crowd raised him up and he
went Off out of their hands. turning
mead over heels like an indiarubber
oall' followed by roars Of laughter
The excitement increased. A shout
ran down the street: Here he is! The
non tanner! Bravo! Fine fellow! Hur-
rahm
They cheered him Justify. He was a
nne looking man, this Signor Gugliel-
mo Condovino. alias Will Condor, the
husband of pretty Elsie, the flying
fairy. Tall. powerfully made. with ap-
parently magnificent chest. In his
close fitting velvet tunic, he appeared
the perfection of strength and SYM
metry. His features were regular and
very handsome.
Two gentlemen stood together on the
pavement. At first slightly annoyed
by the crowd. they also became inter-
ested. One of them was a surgeon of
great eminence, Sir Maxwell Bede. He
put his hand on his friends arm and
said, What powerful man"
Yes. 1T must be the lion tanner. A
well made fellow I have heard of his
teats. He goes among the lions as II
they We're SO many dogs. and lies down
!. among them"
He may do that once tco often"
The lion tanner bowed his acknowl-
edgements, had turned a little aside
and was coughing-a little incident,
eut Sir Maxwell Bede was curiously
quick of observation-he saw 1t and
very slightly shook his head.
i should like to see the performance.
Brandreth,"
Nothing so easy. There Is a per-
tormance tomorrow night at eight I
see'' glancing at the programme. You
won't expect me to accompany YOU. /
suppose?"
NO, no. I am no tyrant 1 won't
stay long. 1 only want to see the
Hons"
The procession moved on; the usual
ming; two meek ill-tempered camels. a
hpatlent chaotic elephant, a noisy sar-
Ncastic hyena, shrieking its hideous
knocking laugh.
The two friends walked on.
brandreth Court was but a mile from
siiodleton, charming house standing
IN beautiful carefully cultivated gar
aens. Colonel Brandreth's young wife
was waiting for them. She was a pref
" spoilt beauty. very winning, a little
tyrannical, but owning the kindest
heart In the world. She heard the
story. and was seized with longing to
60 and see the performance herself.
she made her husband send out to Sc
cure at once the best places in the
circus.
Ihe day came. According to the
place held by the lion tanner in the pro-
gramme he would not be likely to ap-
pear before nine o'clock. They dawdled
over dinner. Lucy Brandreth envelop-
eo herself In soft furs, the snowy
wniteness round her little throat made
ner unusually pretty. She drank her
conee standing by the fire until the
moment of their start.
The circus was crowded, and the au-
uience was easily pleased and very en-
.nuslastic; the place resounded with
ne n''pn'ng Of hands. 1t was not O
very grand circus. the velvet and gold
anu spangles had seen better days