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Only a Circus Rider,

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Only a Circus Rider, What a handsome man • "I believe you are infatuated with him, and he only a circus rider! I am ashamed of you, Jane Randolph." Perhaps "and the beautiful girl lifted her eyes dreamily at her almost equally fair cousin as she replied—" perhaps I see deeper into his character and right position in life I than you do, Isabelle." Right position ? Fiddlesticks! You put me out of all patience with such nonsense. Right position, indeed As if one with the slightest pretension toeven more than common decency, if that much, would become the spangled hero of a sawdust ring." H Spangled he is not. No one ever dressed with less of tinsel and more refined taste in his chosen wallt of life. Hero he is, for even your carping criticism cannot deny he is the peer of all riders you have ever seen that no one can approach him in grace that he is exceptionally daring. I can tell you, Isabelle, there is something more than brute muscle— there is mind in the dlVection of his move- ments, and all around bow to its mastery." A prince in disguise laughed her com- panion. More than a prince in good looks, and I shall be very much surprised if he is not also one in education. His face reveals that much, and his slightest motions betray the gentleman." "A gentleman circus-rider: A white- blackbird and Isabella laughed long and bitterly. 11 W by not as much as in any other pro- fession? Have you forgotten the copy you were so fond of writing at school, and eter- nally dinning in my ears ?" 11 1 Worth makes the man,' and the rest P Pshaw! I have learned better since then." II Have forgotten your bread-and-butter days retorted Jane, for the first time per- mitting her tongue to drop gall. I trust years have brought discretion." And, a la Pitt, I the atrocious crime of being a young "Stop, Jane There comes your hero again." And a hero he is, every inch of him." Charles Manvers—"Claude St. Leon, the Apollo of the Arena," as named in the bril- liantly illuminated posters-passed down the street utterly unconscious of being the cause of discussion in the rival beauties. And it is doubtful if the matter would have pro- voked even as much as a smile had he known it, He was a singularly graceful and handsome man—one would have said a close student, rather than one living by deeds of muscular and reckless daring. His figure was tall and lithe—his eyes and hair of extreme blackness- the former most expressive, and the latter piled in nlnsterinpf ourls about a shapely head. His hands and feet were small, mark- ing, according to the prevailing opinion, aristocratic birth and blue blood." His skin was singularly fair, his manners a trifle haughty, and the expression of his face always sad. Of his history nothing was known. A veil carefully concealed it from the world. He had never known any other life, and yet kept himself aloof from coarse association—always left as soon as his part in the performance was ended. And this mystery made him the topiu of conversation among the easily dazzled girls far more than would otherwise have been the case; and had he been so disposed, he could readily have persuaded many a foolish heiress into a match that would have little pleased her parents. The world has yet to learn that many a manly and true heart beats beneath the tinselled garments of those who waste life and strength for their amusement-that they have equal loves and sorrows-more of phy- sical suffering and few joys. it was growing late in the afternoon, atnd the hero of the arena pressed forward to a distant part of the city, entered a modest- looking house, passed to the upper story and into neatly-furnished apartments—those of j his mother and himself and a singled aged servant. What makes you so late p" asked his parent, in the querulous tone of one who has long been an invalid. 1 was detained unexpectedly. I hope you are feeling better," he replied. "You always are. Did you bring the money ? No, I am no better." He handed her some gold, and, turning to the side table, he sat town and partook of a hurried meal before going to ,the amphi- theatre. At the first glance one would have said there could have boen no relationship between the mother and son. She was an old, hag-like woman-never could have pos- sessed much of beauty, and he must have in- herited from his father, of whom he had no recollection-must have gotten from him, also, the taste for study, in which be so secretly indulged at every available moment —the high arnbition-the fond desire to become famous in the world through some other medium than the one he was follow ing. ing. His mother, ill for years, and not long to remain in this world, had hinted a strange union, and that was all he could learn. Would the icy fingers of death give to her lips free utterance ? He bad hoped, longed and prayed that such might be the case. But till that hour came he would have to bear patiently with her ill temper and grasping avarice, even though like a prisoned eagle beating against the bars of freedom, His meal finished, he bade his mother good night, and passing into the other room held a brief and whispered conversation with the servant, one who had beer, very long with them. j It was'soon, however, interrupted by moans from the sick chamber, to which they both hastened to look after the sufferer. I And he who was most interested of all of I the earth listened as well. Then both started, and in a moment were by the bedside—the bed over which the shadows of the dark- winged angel of death were fast lowering. It was too late! Respiration had almost ceased < Lbo tonguo was paralysed; the ash v i lips moved, but gave forth no sound. The eyes looked wistfully, and the efforts to speak were painful to behold. Her thin and bony hands still clutched the money that had been given her, but a great change had come over the faoe. The stern and cold lines had softened, and both the watchers saw that she would have given all her hope for this world —almost, if not quite, all for the next-for even a very brief interval of speech. It was too late Like many who die thus suddenly, she had put off until the hour of revelation was beyond her power, and the secret died with her. No, not so. As the nurse composed the chilling form, a scrap of paper was found beneath the pillow, upon which were scrawled a few lines. She handed it to her companion. He read it, and sank into a seat with as fervent aa ejaculation of thankfulness as ever was breathed by mortal lips. For a time he sat as some one overcome by good fortune. Then the striking of the cloak aroused him, and after a few hnrried instruc- tions, he rushed forth to play his part, mut- tering as he went, For the last time—the very last. Then I am free The amphitheatre was crowded. It was a gala night, and the assembly far more bril- liant than usual. Every seat was occupied, every eye turned upon him as he entered, dressed with unusual beauty, and with his handsome face lighted as no one had ever seen it before. This was remarked by his associates upon his first appearance among them, and, though none questioned him, it became the subject of comment. But the man who took care of his horse ventured the remark that he would need to be on his guard. Why F" was curtly asked. I have never seen the mare so wild and ugly as she is to-night." Pshaw! some one has been teasing her and you are afraid of her." 0 "That may be, sir;" and—and under his breath—" she is wild anyhow, and I don't think you are much better." Of the truth of these words the A polio of the Arena became satisfied as he looked upon his favourite trick horses. They were two beauties, one white has milk and the other of raven blackness, with the contrast striking as they dashed at wild speed around the ring, he rapidly changing position from one to the other. The minor attractions having been gone through with, he stepped from behind the curtain, and was greeted with such a storm of applause as to cause envy in the hearts of all the other performers. Nothing like it had ever been received by them. But though his eyes wandered coldly over the vast sea of eager faces, he felt his bosom thrill at the. triumphant reception, and resolved to outdo all his former efforts to make his name re- membered for that night, if it never would be from any other. He bowed his acknowledgments as' the horses were being brought in, sharing with him the applause, and then sprang to bis place upon the coal black one, and executed the most daring postures with an ease and skill that almost robbed them of the appear- ance of eff-ort. The coal-black horse ran steadily, and re- vealed the perfect training he had received; but the snow-white mare was restive and un- certain in her gait, and the watchful eyes of those experienced in such matters instantly saw that she was not to be relied upon when the trying moment came, With something of passion flushing his handsome face, after having been thwarted in an easy leap, the rider changed his posi- tion to her back, checked her furious speed, attempted to quiet her, and at last dealt heavy blows with his whip, leaving crimson ridges on the silky hide. A visible tremor shook the forms of the ringmaster, clown, and attendants. They knew she would never endure the lash, and her laid-down ears told plainly that all the lurking devil of her nature was aroused. The fearless rider saw their doubts. He under- stood their feelings, but only smiled, and, after riding at the most reckless speed for a time, thrilling the heart of every looker-on, he succeeded in reducing the mare to some- thing of quiet, and began making prepara- tions for the final and grand effort. This was one never before attempted by any man in any ring. Reversing his steeds so that they would run in coui-ter directions at the same time, he proposed to first leap from one to the other while at flying speed, and at last, in the crowning effort, to the high leap and turn a somersault. The profession understood it far better than the audience; but even they comprehended enough to sit with bated breath, many shuddering, with turned-away faces—all as if hanging by a single hair over some wild terror, The most reckless feats of rope or trapeze were tame when compared to it. With them there was, at least, a shadow of certainty; with him, nothing! One horse was flying from beneath his feet while he was in the act of leaping to the other, and that other bound- ing away even while he was attempting to gain a footing. Under the most ordinary circumstance the attempt to perform such an act was very nearly allied to madness, with the horses running steadily, and truly was hazardous in the extreme. But with one of them now halting, now dashing ahead, and erratic in her course, foolhardy was a mild name for it and lunatic was freely coupled with that of him who thus set at defiance all regard for safety. Break his neck, as true as I am a sinner!" muttered the clown under his breath. Never saw such a fool in my life would say he was crazy drunk if I didn't know he never drank. 'By all that is lovely! he has made the leap in safety. y The latter part of his words, at least, were true. The Apollo of the Arena had leaped from the black to the white steed, and was, standing firm and kissing his finger tips to the audience, who were wild with applause, Once again he repeated the daring act, then paused to breathe himself and his pant- ing steeds, and Jane Randolph (who had been among the most interested of the spectators) whispered to her fair cousin Isabella, "What think you now of my hero f" lie is a hero, indeed; but I sincerely wish he would give over such acts It fairly makes the blood curdle within my heart!" fI Hush he is starting again and the hands of the cousins were clasped and pressed together in the intensity of their breathless excitement. The white mare whirled like a wind-driven snowflake to the right; the black horse as a tempest-swept thunder-cloud to the left; the rider braced himself for the effort, looked gayly around, bowed, threw a somersault. The mare sprang aside as his feet touched her, and he fell heavily to the ground, and with his head doubled under him He has broken his neck vociferated the clown, giving way to his feelings, regardless of all propriety. -0 Amid the crush of eager men and fainting women the unfortunate man was lifted up- a mere bruised, breathless, lifeless lump of olay i "Carry him to my house," said a command- ing voico, and the words of so well-known and respected a man as Doator Randolph were not to be disputed. For a long time he (with others who prof- fered their service) worked to flare the Heat- ing life, and in the end was successful. Then the physician passed into another room, where his daughter and her cousin were seated, and, in answer to eager questioning, said, Jane, the circus rider will live. His fall was a terrible one, but he was simply stunned. In a few days he will be able to be about again." And resume his matchless performance, father ?" That he will never do, my child Why, father ?" Because he is my son and your bruther And he went on and explained of his having been stolen when very young—trained by the wretch of a woman he had called mother for her own ends-that she bad died suddenly, and- My brother!" gasped Jane, interrupting him. Now I know why he possessed so strong and powerful an attraction for me. I must go and see him." In good time, my child." That good time soon came. The" Apollo of the Arena disappeared from publio life, and the majority fancied had been instantly killed but Jane and her cousin knew this was not the case, and the former was not surprised when, a year later, the latter whispered to her of a love that had grown into her young life. So you have found your hero, Isabella ?" Yes," with a rosy blush. And an Apollo of the Arena ?' Yes, but the arena is circumscribed—is only my very heart of hearts —Evening1 World.

Montgomery Peel.

A Lecture on Economy.

Absent-Minded Chivalry.

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