Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1898-05-04
A QUEEN IN RAGS.

OuC sOllldTy uSuIc OCCupicu thS
dress" seats-a tall, dark man, with
bronzed face and keen eyes, and to this
one upper-class patron was the cream
of the entertainment directed.
AS the girl rode round before her exit
she made the usual feint of blowing a
kiss to the stranger, but the circus mas
ter's jealous eye noted that deep flush
dyed her forehead. He also noted that
the same solitary figure was there for
the third night in successlon-was there
alone-and that as soon as "Queen Ca
milla" left the ring he got up. collected
stick, hat and gloves and departed.
Hes fish out O. water" muttered
the man to himself. whats he dom
here, wonder? If he's got an eye upon
Camilla he'll soon find as how others
'as got an eye upon him."
And that night, after frugal but
somewhat noisy supper the ringmaster
sought out fat. elderly woman. al
ways strongly redolent Of gin, but who,
in spite of that and other little delin-
quencies, was called by courtesy the
hiotiSoos hC
in Leo Salterne's circus the manager,
owner, director and ringmaster were
rolled in one-came upon this lady as
she was folding away Camllla's gilt
tering robes.
Look here" he began roughly.
slave you heard anythin' about the
gent that's been hangin' aroundT"
"Course l have" muttered the wom-
an sulkily. "Who 'asn't? He's the new
squire, just come home from Australy."
"An' what's he dom hereT
Come to see Salterne's circus, sup
pose" she replied-''leastways, he pays
is money like the rest"
There was silence, save for the tin
king Of baubles as she folded the cos
tunes. Then the man seized her by
the arm.
"You amt been splittin'Y' he Kissed.
"If you have, Meg Hudson, it'll be the
worse for your
"D'ye think I want to get rid of the
girl? Dye think don't know that the
show would soon 60 to the dogs If it
warn't for Queen Cam? Dye think
don't know that she keeps things goin'
both before and behind scenes? Why,
there isn't one O. the whole company
but what loves her, and"-with scowl-
Ing glance-"hates you"
''Well, it's dangerous neighborhood,
anyway" said the man, shifting uneasi-
ly beneath the glance, IAN it's time
we was movin' on"
"Ay! AS long as the Hall stood emp
ty, and no one knew where to look for
q heir"
Hold your tongue for a croaking old
fool!' cried the manager angrily, glanc-
ing round at the thin wooden partition.
who knows who might hear We, We old
bird O. the night! Anyway, We'll be
movln' on. We can't afford to throw
away money, but there's worse might
happen IL we stayed" And, slamming
the door, he went.
At least old Meg thought he had gone,
and she muttered to herself:
mo. an We can't afford to be found
ont neither, my fine MASTER"
The Whit Of a cheap cigar and NUT
tered oath told her that she had been
overheard, though she didn't catch the
managers concluding remark.
I'll find some means of stopping
your tongue, madam; you know too
much, and seem like CROWN danger
GUS"
When Ronald King laid his half
crown on the grimy sill of the little
pay office next night he was Informed
that "the reserved seats was all took
by a party" But instead of the turn.
ing away in disgust, as the manager
hoped, he merely exchanged the coin
for a sixpence, and passed In among
the crowd.
Queen Camilla was to do her high
flight tonight, and 1t was Queen Ca
milla he went to see. He hadn't waited
to analyze the attraction; he simply
went because he was attracted. To be
sure, entertainment was scarce In the
village where he had suddenly been
cast; and though he was the owner of q
lovely estate and 5000 year, there
wasn't a more friendless creature than
he In existence.
He had been ranching for fourteen
years In Australia. and had been re-
called in most unexpected fashion to
step into his dead uncle's shoes. The
family history was to him sealed
book. His uncle had had Children who
had died, and that was all he knew.
Queen Cam was later than usual that
night, and many watches had been I'm
patiently consulted before she came.
The dress seats remained empty, and
the ringmaster had a frown on his
brow. His ruse had failed, and he was
2 shilllngs poorer for having tried it.
One swift glance Camilla gave toward
the seat Ronald had occupied, then her
eye travelled along the line as II drawn
by his steady gaze, and she gave a
quick start Of recognition.
The master cracked his whip sharp
~. and the horse began its accustomed
amble; but even as ~ started on its
trtadmill pace. the rfngmasters eye
ca9ght the hutter III a posE strap. and
hsstoopsd Sessdjust it.t Quick u