The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-07-14
applause that had rewarded Maubi-

|
keck.
During the time they were out, SOM
of the employees of the circus begar
working on trape.e that hung hig,
up above our heads. Ropes were
pulled, bars were raised in position
and when the sustaining and guy
ropes were made fast, there were two
fixed horizontal bars, with flying
trapeZe between them
Suddenly a hush came over the
audience as girl appeared and
walked to a spot directly under the
trapeZe.
Nita Barlotti was, without doubt
the most beautiful girl who had ever
appeared before New York public
Her features were matchless. She
had a wealth of dark brown hair
which was tightly drawn into a knot
so that it would not interfere with her
in her performances on the bar. Her
face was perfect in it's contour, and
every feature was poem. And yet
it seemed to me that she looked sad
-woefully sad-not like one who en-
joyed the triumph of a successful APP,
pearance, but like one who was
ashamed. or who loathed the part she
played. or to whom some great sor.
row or bitterness had come that had
driven all the brightness from her
life
The trapeze queen drew herself onto
one of the bars and hung lightly in
mid-air, head downwards, with no sup
port but her toes. Then she swung to
and fro. and letting go from the bar,
she seemed to soar through the air
and chung to the flying Or swinging
trapeZe. On this she gave a marvel.
GUS exhibition of her fearlessness and
wonderful skill, in all of which her
writing white muscles shone and
every beauty of her form seemed to
| display to advantage.
| The audience watched her in breath.
less silence, and when at last she had
finished there arose an uproar the
like OF which was never heard before
in Madison Square Garden
There were two men in that
audience who were evidently much in.
terested in the queen of the flying
| trapeZe. | had seen Maubikeck, the
Lion Tanner. clad in ordinary evening
dress, looking like handsome pow
erful man of the world, standing near
the ropes, watching the beautiful aero
bat narrowly. There was a smile of
encouragement on his face. and he
was among the first in the applause
Then. as Mia reached the ground. a
tall black-bearded, mean-looking Ital-
ian forced himself through the group
OF attendants, and taking the girl S
hand in his, led her away from our
sight.
And | noticed that. although her
countenance was dead to us-dead to
the tremendous applause and greeting
she had won from the people-when
she passed Maubikeck it was to him
that her beautiful head was bowed,
and one bright, fleeting smile showed
| itself on her lips when her eyes looked
into his.
The next act fell fiat, and as neither
Maubikeck nor Barlotti was billed to
appear a second time we soon lost
interest, and before the crowd began
to get restless, we left the Garden and
| went home.
Don't forget Graviscourts stag to-
morrow evening"" said the major, as
| was leaving him. You will be there,
l suppose"
Hang Graviscourt!" replied. Eyes,
will be there, if for no other reason
than to show the fellow am still alive
and in the arena"
Good" said the major. "And good
night"
"Graviscourt's genius for entertain
ing is indisputable," said the major,
on the following evening, as he. Dill.
liins and l sat together, among a score
of more kindred spirits, all forming an
appreciative audience at Graviscourt's
stag" entertainment.
True" l replied, with a tinge of
malice. Zone almost forgets who his
host is, with so much to amuse."
The program was a sort of vaude.
vile. There were songs, skirt dances.
comic sketches by more or less ia.
nous artists in their line. and the time
was SO well filled and passed so pleas.
antly that the hours glided by almost
imperceptibly.
Dilkins, with his usual curiosity and
push. was rummaging around in some
cabinets he had succeeded in opening.
and he suddenly electrified us all by
exclaiming:
by Jove! Dick. Major! Look al,
this!"
The major. Graviscourt and |
reached him at the same moment.
by Heaven! That facet" he cried.
;hlusting photograph into the ma.
jors hand
THAT is likeness of Alice Gravis-
court, my brothers wife. taken some
four years before she died." said our
host. calmly.
SIS it," almost shouted Dill1ins. "If
it isn't the Queen of the Flying Trap.
exc. I'm Dutchman!"
What do you mean?" asked Gravis.
court.
And the major told him about Nita
| and Ma1igOi'S oirc,,o