Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-09-12
A CIRCUS ROMANCE.

"A O11l\)Ob NV vi aNSIs
"Why is Miss Ryland SO indifferent
to mem"
The question was asked by a curious
woman who had just left the dashing
young equestrienne's apartments at the
Ringling Bros. circus one evening last
week.
"And why is she SO fond of a black
costume?" queried another. 81 notice
that she rides in somber colors nearly
every night"
Behind the answer to these interroga-
tories lies a story favored with ro-
nance, but unaccompanied by the usual
denouement that makes the romance
complete. There is sadness at the begin
ming and end Of it and just enough in
the middle that is joyful to make the
tale pretty. 1t is a pathetic narrative,
on the whole, and interesting, though
it does recount the woes of lovers.
Miss Ryland was not born into her
art. She is not the seventh daughter Of
a seventh daughter Of circus fame. Her
auburn tresses blossomed into
radiance under the warm rays of a Mis-
sissippi sun, and her muscular Drawn
was early developed OH her fathers
plantation way down south.
Mr.. Ryland was one of the largest
cotton growers in his vicinity. He lived
three miles from his plantation, on the
outskirts of a pretty southern town.
His handsome home was the scene Of
numerous fashionable events, and Elena,
his only daughter, was the most admired
woman i'll the place.
In the later eighties a small circus
visited the town. Mr.. Ryland allowed
the management to use part of his spa.
cious grounds for show property. Every
body in the village was out to see the
first and only performance given by the
aggregation in the little city, amcng
others Elena Ryland.
In the circus was a young bareback
rider, Alfred Julian by name. He had
been with the company only a few
weeks and was but a mediocre perform
or. By profession he was an artist, but
fame and fortune did not roll his way,
and he gave up the pencil for more lucra-
tive employment under the canvas. He
was a good looking, educated fellow of
40 years and became quite popular with
his fellow performers.
The young man was unfortunate on
his appearance that night. In attempt
ing to leap through a hoop and OH to his
horse's back be missed his footing and
fell with terrific force on the box curb
ing surrounding the ring. He was pick
ed up in all unconscious condition, and
it was found that his right arm and leg
were broken.
The accident stopped the show. The
spectators left their seats and crowded
about the ring to learn the extent Of
Julian's injury. Mr.. Ryland was one Of
the first to reach the youths side. The
circus doctor was summoned and ad.
vised that the young man be taken at
once to a hospital. There was no hos
pital in the place, and the only accom-
mediation available was the temporary
shelter of the dressing room.
Ryland came to the aid Of the man.
agement by Offering the use Of his home
to the injured man. The offer was
gratefully accepted, and Julian was re-
moved to the magnificent Ryland resi-
dence for treatment. The generous, no.
BILE hearted planter went further. He
insisted on calling in the family physi.
clan to treat Julian, and when the cir.
Gus left town the next day the bareback
rider was resting easy in the most com.
Portable quarters he had enjoyed since
be quit his eastern home three weeks
before.
Julian required a nurse. Elena Ry-
land, sympathetic and loving, gladly
took upon herself the task of minister
ing to the needs Of the suffering man.
She would be his nurse, she declared,
and she performed her duty more faith
fully and with greater pleasure than
could be expected Of any paid servant.
The second day after his fall Julian
regained consciousness. He opened his
eyes and looked in wonderment on his
strange surroundings. He did not speak
for several moments. Then he inquired
in a soft voice Of his fair attendant,
"Whers am I?'
"You are in a friends house." Miss
Ryland replied. "The circus is gone,
but you need not worry for your safety"
He did not worry. He suffered ex-
c~ruciating pain aud often would have
murmured over his lot, but the gentle
words Of his watohful nurse helped him
to bravely bear his troubles in silence.
Slowly be recovered. AS he grew bet
ter he learned to appreciate the service
Of his kind attendant. She was more
than a sister to him, and her heart wal
filling with more than a sisters love
for a friend in distress.
He asked all about his accident and
the events following it. He was some
what Inundated at his i'll luck and
vowed he would never again enter the
circus ring. Miss Ryland was fascinat-
ed with his stories of circus life and lis
tened intently to every word that fell
from his lips.
The patient wal interested in his fair
nurse. He fully r~eciprooated her attach.
ment for him. A feeling stronger than
that Of friendship endeared her to him.
He was in love with her, but he dared
not tell her. Her station in life, he
thought, wal so far above his that to
dream Of such q thing were folly.
The days passed pleasantly for the