Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-06-06
LIFE and DEATH In A CIRCUS.
IN AMYE READE.

Another month passed. One morning,
weakened and i'll, Ruby could not get
out of bed. Enrico was told, and he went
up to the bedside.
"Rubyv'-he spoke In stern, hard
voice." Ruby, what ails your
The child neither spoke nor moved. The
voice Of her trainer could not rouse her
from dead faint Vic stood ut the bot
tom Of the bed and as Ruby still lay so
silent and NO quiet she broke out, ''Shes
dead: I know she's dead! Oh, dear! oh,
dear''
Hold your cursed tongue" said the
Signor angrily. Its lazincss. There's
nothing the matter with her. Bring her
round and send her down to me. I'll soon
settle her"
Vic forgot her trainers anger. She for
got all save the love for her friend. With
out one thought, without one care for her
tonight. She's ill--dying. No one but
brute would ever make her so into the
ring. You've killed her, and every one
shall know you have thrashed her. I'll
tell everybody -everybody," she scream
ed.
Enrico strobe from the room, and Ruby
soon got out of bed, but she could hardly
stand. ''Oh, Vic, dear, cannot ride to-
night cannot."
Vic knew 1t was hopeless, and she was
honest enough not to encourage hope
where hope was in vain. do try your
best. Ruby; perhaps you will feel better
when you get down to the tent. Take
hold Of my arm and see if you can walk a
step or two"
Ruby did Us she was asked, and then
it was that Vic found how heavily she
bore upon her arm for needful support.
But further conversation was interrupted
by the Signor's calling at the foot of the
stairs: RUBY! Come down at once, do
you hear?'
Ruby faltered and gave Vic one long,
imploring look. go on, Ruby: do 60;
dor
The child went slowly down the stairs
and into the sitting room, but she paused
in the doorway and leaned for support
against the woodwork.
What do you stand there for?" the
trainer cried. "Come in. can't you? Do
you want me to fetch you? I'll lick you
If do come for YOU" She turned pale
and trembled, but with mighty effort
she walked up to where he was standing.
what made you faint? Laziness. Ell ~
II was 50 tired" replied Ruby, wearily.
II couldn't sit up. don't think l can
ride tonight, sir; l feel SO ILL.,"
'Tired-stuff and rubbish! You listen
to met He pulled the child roughly to-
ward him, shook her slightly, and con-
tinued, with profanity not quotable: you
can make up your mind that you will ride
tonight, and tomorrow at two perform
ances, and as often as choose to put you
in the ring. And mark my words! if you
make any fuss down at the circus this
evening about being what you call i'll,
and what call laziness. when get you
home again I'll give you such licking
that you won't forget in hurry. You
fail in the ring, or open your chattering
mouth, and you know what is in store for
you"
Ruby went to the circus that night. She
donned the thin, futtering skirt of gauze
and flowers that had been chosen for her.
She stood, leaning heavily upon a wooden
table for support; her eyes were bright Us
steel, and the crimson spots on either
cheek were not due to an overdose of
rouge. If everybody had not been in
such hustle. her quick, hurried breathing
might have attracted attention: but as it
was. everybody was too much engaged
to give the lonely girl one thought, and
Vie was attiring in another room. But
she found time to hurry in to her friend
before her call into the ring.
RUBY, are" but she could not finish
her sentence; the words died on her lips
In moment she saw that something was
wrong with the beautiful girl dressed with
such care for the pleasure of the gaping
public, who never care to inquire the
price paid for their amusement She
paused in the doorway, and then spoke
again, but with deep anxiety in her voice.
RUBY, what is the matter"
But the child only gasped out: ''Noth-
ing, Vic; shall soon be all right"
"Soon be all right repeated the girl.
"Why, you are much worse-much. I'll
60 and fetch some one"
She was gone before Ruby had time to
utter one plaintive Don't"
But help never came, for Vic encoun-
tered the Signor just outside the door.
In few hurried words she explained
Ruby's condition. But the Signor put up
his hand in stern manner. "Stay where
you are. That girl and understand one
another. There is the bell-go."
He followed her into the ring. Vic rode
fearlessly and without fault, as usual; but
her thoughts were with Ruby, and she
hardly heard the applause which greeted
her daring and reckless performance. She
trembled with a sickening fear for her
friend. There were only the acrobats to
show. and then came the call for Ruby.
There was a crack Of heavy whip, the
thud of horses hoofs and silent audience
eagerly watching the riding Of Ruby.
There was the trainer, who followed her
around and whose cruel keen eyes were
fixed upon both horse and rider. 1t was
beautiful, the people thought, to see that
graceful child. her cheeks flushed and her
golden curls resting naturally on the
classic marble brow. But John Hayw
was among the lines gazing at the little
rider. Surely he had seen that face be.
fore. Or was it only a chance resemb-
lance to his child, for whom he had sough,
so long and so patiently? He had pictuf.
ed her as just such child. He had been
disappointed SO often that he dare not
think he had found her at last.
Suddenly a cry of suppressed Obs"
rose from the crowded house: the child
had sweryed and fallen. The grOoms en-
tered the ring and mounted her again.
Crack went the whip. Her cheeks grew
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