The Swan Gondola by Timothy Schaffert

The author is a native Nebraskan, and has chosen to set this novel at the Omaha World's Fair in 1898.  The setting is the still rural Midwest that is somewhat removed from the rapidly changing world on the brink of the 20th century.  It is a popular time to set a novel because of the second Industrial Revolution and the wave of immigration it brought to the northeastern United States, but this book is very much removed from that.  Instead, Nebraska is the scene of traveling circuses and carnival people.  Ferret Skerritt (say that out loud) is an orphaned and impoverished ventriloquist always on the lookout to make a quick buck from a vulnerable and unsuspecting rube who falls quickly and madly in love with Cecily.  Cecily is an actress herself, a new and unmarried mother with a precious daughter and a fondness for Ferritt.  In many ways it is unfortunate for both of them that the rich and reasonably charming Mr. Wakefield falls for Cecily.  Despite her strong emotional attachment to Ferritt, neither of them stands a chance against the persistent Mr. Wakefield, who is not only wealthy but also very willing to fight unfairly for what he wants.  The novel thing about the story is that it does not end with Cecily's premature death, nor does it end sadly.