The times., 1898-04-24
A QUEEN In RAGS.

Crack went the circus masters whip
as the girls flying figure went through
the last tinsel covered circle. higher
even than the preceding ones, and
alfghted 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-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 blow
ing 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 col
lected stick, hat and gloves and de-
parted
He's a fish out of water" muttred
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
delinquencies, was called by courtesy
the wardrobe mistress. The manager
for in Leo Salternes circus the man
ager, owner. director and ringmaster
were rolleu in one-came upon this lady
as she was folding away Camillas gilt
tering robes
Look here!' he began roughly. Have
you heard anything about the gent
that's been hangin' around?"
Course | have" mutered the wom-
an suikily. Who asn't? He's the new
squire, just come home from AustraIy."
And what's he doin' here?"
Come to See Salterne's circus,
suppose" she replied; ''leastways he
pays is money like the rest"
There was silence save for the tink-
ling of baubles ais she folded the cos
tunes. Then the man seized her by
the arm. go
You amt been spldttin'?" he hissed
If you have, Me6 Hudson, it'll be the
worse for you"
"D'you think I want to get rid of the
girl? D'you think T don't know that the
show would soon go to the dogs if it
Warn't for Queen Cam. Dyou think |
don't know that she keeps things goin'
both before and behind scenes? Why,
there isn't one of the whole company
but what loves her, and" with a scowl-
ing glance, hates you
We'll, it's dangerous neighborhood
anyway" said the man, shifting uneas-
lily beneath the glance" and It's time
we was movin' on.
Aye! AS long as the hall stood emp
ty and no one knew where to look for
n n ~ =
Hold your tongue for a croaking old
fool" cried the manager angrily. glanc-
ing around at the thin wooden parti-
ton. Who knows who might hear you
you old bird of the night? Anyway We'll
be movin' on. We can't afford to throw
away money, but there's worse might
happen if we staid" And, slamming the
door, he went out.
At least old Meg thought he had gone,
and she muttered to herself:
NO, and you can't afford to be found
out neither, my fine master"
The whiff 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
Ill 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
up by 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 it was Queen Ca
milla he wanted to see. He hadn't wait
ed 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 a
lovely estate and $4,000 a year, there
wasn't a more friendless creature than
he in existence.
He had been ranching for fourteen
years in Australia ana had been re-
called in most unexpected fashion to
step into his dead uncle's shoes. The
family history to him was 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
impatiently 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 shillngs poorer for having tried it.
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 then she gave
a quick start of recognition.
The master cracked his whip sharp
ly, and the horse began it's accustomed
amble, but even as it started on it's
treadmill pace the ringmaSter's eye
caught the lutter. of a loose strap and
he stopped to readiust it. Quick as
thought the girl raised her head and
looked straight at Ronald King. She
was pale that night. There We're dark
rings round her brilliant eyes, and as
she met his glance gEayely and stead
lily for one moment she slowly shook
her head. 1t seemed to him there was
supplication in her glance. What did
she mean?
Then the buckle was secured, the
whip cracked again, and the round be
gan.
Houpla, She seemed to skim through
the air more lightly than ever that
night though her face was rigid and
ii was with difficulty that she summon
ed a smile to her lips. She trotted
round amid even louder applause than
usual, but her little artificial salute
that sham stage kiss-was lacking
that night. Perhaps Queen Cam had
forgotten.
At the entrance she was met by Meg
Hudson.
Come away, my lambie" said the
| old woman, folding the girl in her arms
| as she slipped from her saddle I've
got nice bowl of milk for your sup
per; then you can so straight to your
bed. You shall have no more harsh
words tonight-no, nor any other night