Frederick citizen., 1895-02-08

the clown was not so young as ne
oeen, but the good-natured world re-
ceived his time-honored jokes with ap-
piause. Elsie Condor was always pop
ular She bounded in with her little
clrcus-rider curtesy, kissing the tips of
her fingers. One light spring on to the
broad saddle of old Sambo, the grey
horse. and away she went round the
arena, up. down, flying through the
hoops, uttering little shrill cries. all in
exact time and with great spirit, her
great bush of golden hair flying out all
} round her. no wonder that when she
stopped, slipped off old Sambo's back,
and curtesed herself out. they all ap-
! plauded madly
| And now the clown began tumbling
about filling up the time joking end
| lessly-the moment had arrived for the
event of the night.
| In the state box. radiant in her pearls
and snowy furs, Lucy Brandreth sat,
the bright flush of mingled excitement
! and fear on her cheek. Sir Maxwell
Bede. with his thin hatchet face and
| curiously keen eyes, was stroking his
chin thoughtfully and waiting for the
! great interest Of the whole PERFORM
| ance.
Did he fancy there was some un-
wonted delay. that the clowns jokes
were becoming exhausted-at all events
! the peoples feet were beginning to
stamp impatiently on the floor. and
the clown pretended that the lion was
coming, and got up a semblance Of
! terror which made them all laugh.
There was tent at the back of the
| circus in which the riders dressed, and
here dressed in his close fitting tunic
and spangles the lion tanner sat. He
| was coughing, low cough which
seemed to rack him through and
through. He laid his hand on his
chest, he drew deep breaths, the pain
Of which brought thick beads of pers-
piration on his brow; one nerveless
| hand rested on his wife's shoulder.
Elsie knelt beside him in the sawdust,
her golden hair pushed back. her arms
twined round him, her great blue eyes
looking at him, full of the yearning
anxiety Of her passionate love. Ten
derly she smoothed back the thick
hair. damp and glued together, from
! his brow.
my darling. my darling, can you do
It? Oh. heaven! must it go on like
this!
wait" he said. wait. my breath IL
coming back"
1t was coming back, the paroxyism
of coughing was over. II am better"
he said He leaned his head back
against one of the tent supports, his
breathing became easier, his eyes
were closed, he had look of great ex-
! haustion.
Elsie rose to her feet and brought
him a small flask containing brandy.
and he swallowed it with difficulty.
Outside rose up roar of impatience.
| q storm of Kissing and rafting on the
ground.
II must co. he said rising to his
feet.
She threw her arms round him. she
clung to him lovingly.
The curtain was pushed aside, and
the clown came in.
IT can't keep 1t going any longer. old
chap. The governor has gone on to
ask for silence" and the men began
to roll up the cages. Don't take on so,
dear" he said to Elsie. as a sharp
shudder went through her. Look how
much better he looks now. Here WILL"
he added anxiously, II borrowed Jen-
nie's rouge. Give him touch. See,
! Elsie, you understand these things bet
ter than I do; touch him up. Do you
remember the notice In the Bessbor-
ough Journal; 1t said he was as white
as a sheet, and the governor did not
like it."
"Stoop down. my darling" murmur-
ed Elsie. IT will give you a color, so.
Now don't forget. Will! Will! keep
your eye on Dion, he Is growing fierce"
81 must co. said Will. his DEATH
like pallor showing even through the
rouge.
"Stop! exclaimed the clown looking
at him fixedly. "Stop! you are not At
to go. Give over tonight. and I'll go
and play the fool. and get the gov
ernor to get you off"
mo. no, friend" said Will. Mon
sense! The cages are on. Goodbye.
sweet love-"
He stopped and kissed her lightly
She nut out her hands to stay him,
he must not be stopped now. The mo-
ment had come. He went out.
Elsie flung herself on her knees by
the bench; she thrust her hands into
her hair, in wild abandonment. twist
ing Il round and round.
"Heaven help us, child, what Is it?"
said the old clown, seating himself by
her; "is 1t always like this?"
She nodded; her whole brain was alb
sorbed in an agony of listening. She
could hear every far off soft football OF
her husbands feet as he crossed into
he arena.
The old clown bent down and spoke
In q whisper. ELSIE! has he lost his
nerve"
She turned her ashen face to his and
nodded again, then returned to her