The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-09-16
Written tor CECIL WING.
MALD1 f .
THE
CIRCUS
GIRL.
By AGNES LOCKE WOOD.
By AGNES LOCKE WOOD.



The voice was that of man. He wa;
seated on hox in circus tent at -,
and vas speaking to young woman who
lay on q rude he'd in the corner Of the tent
81 can't possibly walk tonight. I'm
nearly dead, and | won't walk it. You
have al ways treated me mennly. have
rarely ever gotten kind word from you
although loved you, and left my parents
my home and everything else for you, you
dog, hut did not then know that you
were tight rope walker and tick per.
former Now you won't ever let me- take
LITTLE rest, when Pm more dead than
alive. the woman exclaimed angrily.
The man her husband gave u coarse,
rude laugh. 1T was we'll for me-, he
said, THAT yon did not know what profes
sion followed, or | never would have
gotten suoA pretty prize. But you must
walk the rope this evening. I'll be
through about 80 When I'm ready fo'
YOU III tell Made to call you"
I{e lett the tent and presently little
Girl OF ubuut three summers came in. She
was Il remarkably beautiful child, with
dark lar and eyes, very much like the
womau'a, auI had the same even features,
but tAe,e the likeness stopped. The b0hy's
cheeks were round aud rosy, while the
others were perfectly white The child
wore a sweet, innocent look, while the
mother was WON and coarse looking. Sh,
watched the baby gin for some time with
tears in her eyes, and then said 'Madge
darling, come here to mother. She came
to the side o; the he'd and asked: "What
do ON want, mamma?
~ want you to 20 tell Aunt Helen tt
come help me dress.
The little one skipped off, and tall,
angular woman soon came III.
"What are you going to weat?" she
asked 80, | don't care; anything, .
Madre answered 81 wish / was dead.
would great deal rather die than let little
Madge see me in those short dresses, with
my barr down., she added bitterly.
''You had no business to marry my
brother then. You might have known
what to have expected was the unkind
reply. Come get dressed. Put on this
yellow satin
at is so short, Helen" Madge sighed
'Give me that paint, Pm as white as q
sheet" She was soon dressed, in yellow
satin, yellow silk stockings and red kid
slippers, her beautiful dark hair flying
below her waist, and adorned with roses
She was about to leave the tent wher
Bahy Madge came in and said, mamma
papa wants on"
She slowly went out, followed by hel
sister-in-law and little Madge They went
up into little grandstand of their own
and Madge whispered, 'Helen, if anything
should ever happen to me will you TAKE
care of my baby and see that she is no
brought up in a circus?"
'What nonsense you talk" Helen an
swered with laugh, "a circus girl has NJ
time to think Of DEATH But she prom
ised.
Madge went down to perform.
She walked around for little while OF
a rope, then ladder was placed on thu
rope, aud She mounted it. round by round
her husband standing by to assist her.
she was on the seventh round when sht
BEGAN to grow dizzy.
Il can 20 up any higher" she said.
CRY il once more" the man whispered
"But / cant do it. l must get down,
she said.
"All right then, but you must walk the
high rope!"
She drew in her breath quickly. 81
can't do that" she said.
"But you must"
'I'm falling" she whispered, as she
came down quickly.
"Go up and rest little while, then you
must walk the high rope" he said.
She walked slowly up the steps Of the
building where Helen was, caught Baby
Madge in her arms, and kissed her pas
sioaately several times, then put her gently
down, and, as the band struck up lively
tune, walked off on the tight-rope. She
walked on recklessly, neither thinking MOI
caring how she went She was nearly hal
way across when she made misstep anC
fell to the ground, distance OF ovei
twenty-five feet.
Immediately a crowd collected. She wa
gently lifted and carried into the tent
They tried to restore her to consciousness
but they might have spared their pains
Madge, the circus girl, gently Whispered
"Baby," and was dead.
INDIGESTION brings on distress after cat
inc with hrnyiupsS and OpuuupsS of the StOm