The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-07


as the girls dying figure went through
the last tiusel-covered circle, higher
even than the preceding ones, and
alighted safely in the saddle amid
rounds of rough applause.
One solitary figure occupied the
dress" seats--a tall dark man, with
bronzed face and keen eyes, ana 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
kiss to the stranger, but the circus
masters Jealous eye noted that a deep
flush dyed her forehead He also noted
that the same solitary figure was there
for the third night in succession--was
there alOne-and that as soon as
queen Camilla" left the ring he got
up, collected stick hat and gloves and
departed.
He's a fish out o water" muttered
the man to himself. whats he doin
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 a frugal but
somewhat noisy supper, the ringmas-
ter sought out a fat, elderly woman,
always strongly redolent of gin, but
who, in spite of that and other little
delinquenCes, was called by courtesy
the wardrobe miseess. The manager
for in Leo Salterne's circus the man
ager owner, director and ringmaster
were rolled in one--came upon this lady
as she was folding away Camilla's gilt
tering robes.
hA III,
Have you heard anythin' about the
gent that's been hangin' around?"
Course I have" muttered the wo-
man sulkily. "Who 'asn't? He's the
new squire, just come home from Aus
traly.'
AN what's he don' here?'
Come to see Salterne's circus. | sup
pose" she replied-"leastways. he pays
is money like the rest"
There was silence, save for the tink-
ling of baubles as she folded the cos
tunes. Then the man seized her by
the arm
You amt been splttin' ?" he hissed.
IF you have, Meg Hudson, itll be the
worse for you!"
Dye think I want to get rid Of the
girl? Dye think don't know that the
show would soon go to the dogs if it
warn't for Queen Cam? Dye think I
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 a
scowling glance-"hates you"
We'll, it's a dangerous neighborhood
anyway" said the man, shifting un-
easily beneath the glance, "an' it's time
we was movin' on"
"Ay! As long as the Hall stood
empty, and no one knew where to look
for a heir"
Hold your tongue for a croakinE old
fool!" cried the manager angrily, ,glanc-
ing round at the thin wooden partition
Who knows who might hear ye, ye old
bird o. the night! Anyway, Wen be
movin' on. We can't afford to throw
away money, but there's worse might
happen if we stayed" And samming
the door, he went.
At least old Meg thought he had gone,
and she muttered to herself:
No, an ye can't afford to be found
out neither, my fine master"
The whiff of cheap cigar and a
muttered oath told her that she had
been overheard, though she didn't
catch the managers concluding re-
mark.
"Tll find some means of stopping
your tongue, madam; you know too
much, and seem like growin' danger
GUS"
When Ronald King laid his half
crown on the grimY sill of the little
pay office next night ne was informed
that the reserved seats was all took
a ~ ID,,t
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 it was Queen Camilla
he went to see. He hadn't waited to
analy2e the attraction; he simply went
because he was attracted. To be sure,
entertainment was scarce in the VIII
lage where he had suddenly been cast:
and though he was the owner of a
lovely estate and $4,000 a year. there
wasn't 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 a 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 shlllings poorer for having tried il.
one swift glance Camilla gave toward
the seat Ronald had occupied, then her
eye Travelled along the line as if drawn
by his steady gaze, and she gave
quick start of recognition.
The master cracked his whip sharply.
and the horse began it's accustomed
amble; but even as it started on its
treadmill pace, the ringmaster's eve
caught the flutter Of a loose strap, and
he stopped to readjust it. Quick as
thought, the girl raised her head and
looked straight at Ronald King. She
was pale that night, there were dark
rings round her brilliant eyes, and as
she met his glance gravely and stead