Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1898-05-04
A QUEEN IN RAGS.
CT OUP-LA!"

Fl Crack went the circus
Il Il masters whip as the girls
flying figure went through the last tin
sel-coyered circle, higher even than the
preceding ones, and alighted safely In
the saddle amid rounds of rough APP
plause.
One solitary figure occupied the
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
ters jealous eye noted that 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 Ca
milla" left the ring he got up, collected
stick, hat and gloves and departed.
Hes u fish out o. water" muttered
the man to himself. 'What's he dom
here, | wonder? If he's got an eye upon
Camilla he'll soon find as how others
us got an eye upon him."
And that night, after IA 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-
quencles, was called by courtesy the
wardrobe mistress. The manager-for
In Leo Salternes circus the manager,
owner, director and ringmaster were
rolled In one-came upon this lady as
she was folding away Camilla's gilt
tering robes.
Look herew he began roughly.
Have you heard anythln' about the
gent that's been hangin' around?'
Course | havev' muttered the wom-
an sulkily. "Who 'asn't? He's the new
squire. just come home from Australy."
AN what's he dom hereY
"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
Killing of baubles as she folded the CO.'S
tunes. Then the man seized her by
the arm.
You amt been splittin'?' he Kissed.
IF you have, Meg Hudson, it'll be the
worse for your
"D'ye think l want to get rid Of the
girl? Dye think don't know that the
show would soon go to the dogs IL it
warn't for Queen Cam? Dye think
don't know that she keeps things goln'
both before and behind scenes? Why,
there isn't one O. the whole company
LIT what loves her, and'-with scowl-
Ing glance-"hates YOU"
We'll, it's dangerous neighborhood
anyway" said the man, shifting uneasi-
ly beneath the glance, IAN it's time
we was moyin' 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, Wen be
movin' on. We can't afford to throw
away money, but there's worse might
happen If we stayed" And, slammlng
the door, he went.
At least old Meg thought he had gone
and she muttered to herself:
NO. an We can't afford to be found
out neither. my fine master"
The Whit of a cheap cigar and a NUT
tered oath told her that she had been
overheard, though she didn't catch the
managers concluding remark.
III find some means of stopping
your tongue, madam; you know too
much, and seem like CROWN danger
ous."
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 party" But instead of the turn
Ing away in disgust, as the manager
hoped, he merely exchanged the coin
for sixpenee, and passed in among
the crowd.
Queen Camilla was to do her high
Digit tonight, and 1t was Queen Ca
milla he went to see. He hadn't waited
to analyze the attractions 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 a
lovely estate and 5000 Il year, there
wasn't more friendless creature than
he in existence.
lie 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
nl1lf and many uafchas hal hoan Inn