The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-12-31

1t was Alison, more handsome than ever,
with proud eSultant grace about her that
spoke Of success.
Halfway down the bill it stated that
Miss Thistledown, aged three, would show
the Americans how easily the British Lion
was led,' etc.
When the time arrived for this perform
aMee Alison entered ne ring for tie first
time as the Lion 1neen.
She led in huge sleepy-looling lion, who
was guided with a silkcn cord by wee
thing dressed as the Grand O.d Man,
woodmans axe in hand, and miniature
tree over its shoulder.
The figure wore peppeT-and-salt trousers,
white shirt, and a pair Of slippers, and bore
mimic head Which was splendid likeness
to the Grand Old Man.
After going round to slow music, the lion
lay down, and the child jumped off its back,
lifted off the mask, tore off her outer clothes,
and stood confessed a perfect fairy prince
in scaly suit of silver mail
After the performance, which elected
storm Of applause the child stood alone,
bowling prcttiy and kissing the tips of her
fingers.
The music ceased and the child was about
to bound away, when man rose up with
heart-ycarning cry Of:
Little Ally!'
Papa, papa papa!' cried the mite flying
to the spot whence the sound proceeded,
and was clasped to her fathers heart, his
tears running down on her little pale face,
while the audience rose to a man, looking
on in silent amaZement.
There may be scene, sir; make for the
main entrance, III go before, my friend be.
Nn\ 1ch c1,on no -
bed''
How Pierce got through the crowd he
never knew. Outside they were stopped by
policeman, who, after talking to the de-
tectives allowed them to jump into carr-
age which was waiting with Dorothy inside.
She took the tiny, quaintlydressed child
to her heart, and cried over it quietly, while,
for the first and last time in his life, Pierce
Penfold tainted away.
Inside the circus all was confusion; the
people would have tie scene explained, SO
old Lee, 1ine-loOking old man. came to the
front and gave his own version Of the affair."
Which was that 1t WAS all q part of the per-
Torrance, a dramatic situation to interest
the public in the clever little actress, etc.
But the old man looked anxious when he
left the ring and found his daughter raving
like madWoman at the loss of her child.
After this Alison fretteu herself into
fever, and her old father grieved over her
as over the most dutiful and virtuous daugl.
ter the world contained.
Thanks to his nursing she came back to
life, different woman though, broken in
health and spirit, with but I. ghost of her
cd superb beauty.
Pierce lost no time in returning to En-
gland and taking possession of the Cover
estates; but poor faithful Jem did not re.
turn With them.
At the last moment he wrote to say lie
had gone with his relatives, the Lees, to
tend the horses.
Pierce sighed, ard said:
Poor Jem, he may as well sell his soul to
the devil as to follow that FREELY of wo.
man in hope of any reward Well, I'll send
him handsome chequc, he deserves it for
faithful service TO me-
For once Pierce reasoned wrongly. After
years OF deep loving devotion Old Lee died,
leaving Alison to Jem's care, and she, feel
ing lonely, took pity on the faithful fellow
and married him.
She made him better wife than many
more vlrtuouS woman; and, when sturdy
children were born to her, loved her hus.
band, and helped to make the circus great.
er success than ever
Years have passed, and it is Christmas
again, and the world is white about Castle
Cover, a beautiful place on the summit of
wooded hill.
Inside the grand old house all is mirth
and reveiry; a stately lady stands, the cen.
ter of a rosy group Of beautiful Children her
handsome husband leaning over her, and by
her side a slight dark-eyed maiden who calls
her mother with as true affection as heI
brothers and sisters.
Pierce Penfold kissed his wife under
bough of mistletoe, and tells lis guests,
among whom DR.. and Mrs. Steel are the
most honored, that Dorothy is priceless
treasure that he once FOUND IN SNOW.
DRIFT.
THE END.