Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-09-28
A QUEEN IN RAGS.

Crack went the circus masters whip az
the girls flying figure went through the
last tinsel 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-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 tho 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 aIone-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 of water, muttered
the man to himself. "What's he dom here,
I wonderf 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 some
what noisy supper, the ringmaster sought
out a fat, elderly woman, always strongly
redolent Of gin, but who, in spite of that
and other little de%linquencies, was called
by courtesy the wardrobe mistress. The
manager--for in Leo Salterne's circus the
manager, owner, director and r~inglnaster
were rolled in one-came upon this lady
as she was folding away Camilla's glitter
ing robes.
"Look hero!' he began roughly. "Have
you heard anything about the gent that's
been hangin arounds''
''Course I have, :" muttered the woman
sulkily. "Who 'asn'ts He's the new squire,
just come home from Australy."
"And what's he doin hereS"
'sOome to see Salterne's circus, ] sup
pose," she replied; 'leastways he pays
'is money like the rest"
There was silence save for tho tinkling
Of baubles as she folded the costumes.
Then the man seized hor by tho arm.
"You amt been splitting" he Kissed.
"If you have, Meg Hudson, it'll be the
worse for you.'
"D'you think l want to get rid of the
grip D'you think l don't know that the
show would soon go to the dogs if 1t warn't
Tor Queen Cam? D'you think don't know
shat she keeps things goin both before and
behind scenesY Why, there isn't one Of the
whole company but what loves her and, "
with a scowling glance, ,'hates you"
swell, it's a dangerous ne~ighborhood
anyway" said the man, shifting uneasily
beneath the glance, land it's time we was
movin on"
"Aye! As long as the hall stood empty
and no one knew where to look for q
herr
"Hold your tongue for a croaking old
fooll' cried the manager angrily, glancing
round at the thin wooden partition. "Who
knows who might hear you, you old bird of
the night? Anyway Wen 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.
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 Whit Of a cheap cigar and a NUT
tered oath told her that she had been over
heard, though she didn't catch the mana
gers concluding remark.
f 1 ~ ulO nOllo luC0ilc VI otUUHluk yOuf
tongue, madam. You know too much and
seem like CROWN dangerous"
When Ronald King laid his half crown
on the grimy sill Of the little pay office
next night, he was informed that 'sthe re-.
served seats was all took by a party" But
instead Of the turning away in disgust, az
the manager hoped, he merely exchanged
the coin for a sixpence and passed In
among the crowd.
Queen Camilla was to do her high fight
tonight, and 1t was Queen Camilla 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 a lovely estate and a5, 900 a
year., there wasn't a more friendless orea-
ture than he In existence.
He had been ranohing for IL years In
Australia and had been recalled In most
unexpected fashion to step into his dead
unole's shoes. The family history was to
him q sealed book. His uncle had had
children who had died, and that was all
be knew.
Queen Cam was later than usual that
night, and many watches had been impa-
tiently. consulted before she came. The
sedress'' seats remained empty, and the
ringmaster had a frown ON his brow. His
ruse had failed, and he was 3 shillings
poorer for having tried 1t. One swift
glance Camilla gave toward the seat Ro.
maid had occupied; then her eye travelled
along the line aIif drawn by his steady
gaze, and she gave . quick start Of recog-
milton.
The master cracked his whip sharply,
and the horse began It's accustomed Amble,
but even Is 1t started on It's treadmill pacs
the ringmaster's eye caught the 6utter Of
q loose strap. and he stopped to readjust
it. Quick a. thought the girl raised her
head and looked straight a. Ronald King.
She was pale that night. There were dark
rings round her brilliant eyes, and 10 she
met his glance Rravely and steadily for one
moment she slowly shook her head. 1t
seemed 70 him there was duplication In
her glance. What did she meant
Then the buckle was secured, the whip
cracked again, and the round began.
HouplaI She seemed to skim through
the air more lightly than ever that night,
though her face was rigid, and 1t was With
difficulty that she summoned a smile 20
her ltps. she trotted round amid even
louder applause than usual, but her little
arti6cial salute-that shan stage kiss