, 1859-10-14

"Why can't you let me aloneH What do you
tempt me fOr9 I've kept my hands OF Of you till
now" ..... -.
He paused and bit his lip, and saw that he
was trembling from head to foot. / am no cow
ard-it's not likely that should he Patagonan
Brother II Iwas-but the sight Of his hatred seemed
to turn me for the moment quite sick and giddy.
my GodT said I, leaning up against the table,
"what do you mcanI Are you madr
| He made me no answer; but looked straight at
me, and then walked away. ! don't know how Il
was, but from that moment knew all. It was
written somehow in his face.
"Oh, Ally, dear? said to myself with groan,
and sat down on the nearest bench believe that
OF that moment scarcely knew where I was, or
what was doing.
did not see him again till we met on the stage,
about an hour afterward, to 60 through our scene
in the rehearsal. II was grand Easter piece, with
great deal Of firing, and real water, and living
camel in the last act and Griffiths and / were
Mozambique slaves, performing before the Rajah
In the Hall Of Candelabras. Excepting that It
cost great deal Of money, that is all ever knew
about the plot; and, upon my word, don't be-
lieye that anybody else knew much more. By this
time had, Of course, recovered my usual compO-
sure but could see that GriIithS had been drink
ing, for his face was flushed and his balance UNI
steady. When the rehearsal was over, Mr.. Rice
called Us into his private room, and brought out
decanter Of sherry, with which, must say, he was
always as liberal as any gentleman could be.
| "Patagonians," says be, for he had wonderful
\ " merry way with him, and always called US by
that name, l suppose you would make no objec-
ton to little matter Of extra work and extra pay
on the sixth-just to end the season with some
thing stunning-heyr
"No, no, sir, not We" replied Grifiths, in sort
Of hearty manner, that wasn't natural to him.
"We're ready for anything. Is It the flying busi-
ness you spoke about the other dayH''
Better than that" said the manager, filing up
the glasses. It's new French feat that has
never yet been done in this country, and they call
II the trapeze. PatagOnans your health
So we drank his in return, and Mr.. Rice ex-
planned all about it. II was to be an exhibition Of
| posturing and balloon ascent all in one. At
| some distance below the car was to be secured
| triangular wooden framework, which framework
was called the trapeze. From the lower pole, or
base Of this triangle one Of us was to be suspended
with ligature Of strong leather attached 70 his
ankle, in case Of accidents. Jnst as the balloon
was rising, and this man assembled head downwards,
the other was to catch him by the hands and go
up also, having, IL he preferred It, some band or
other to bind him to his companion In this posi-
ton we were then to go through our customary
performances, continuing them 50 long as the bal
loon remained in sight
"All this" said Mr.. Rice, "sounds much more
dangerous than II really Is. The motion Of bal
loon through the air Is 30 steady and imperceptible
that, but Tor the knowledge Of being above the
h0usetOps you will perform almost as comfortably
as in the gardens. Besides, am speaking to brave
men, who know their business, and are not to be
dashed by tri6e-hey, Patagoniansf"
Griiiths brought his hand down heavily upon
the table, and made the glasses ring again.
"Im ready, SIR" said he, with an oath. I'm
ready TO Do 4 alone, Il any man here Is afraid to
60 with mer'
He looked at me as he said this, with sort Of
mOcking laugh that brought the blood up into my
"If you mean that for me, John" said I, quick.
ly, 81 am no more afraid than yourself, and, II
that's all about il, Ill go up to-nightP
III was to try from now till this day next year,
never could describe the expression Of his iace
as spoke these words. 1t seemed to turn all the
current Of my blood. l could not understand i
then-but understood II well enough aiterward
Well, Mr.. Rice was nightly pleased to find US
so willing, and very few more words ended the
matter. Mr.. Staines and his famous Wurtemburg
balloon were to be engaged; fifteen hundred addi-
tional coloFed lamps were to be hired; and CiFiE
ilths and were to receive twelve pounds apiece
for the evening, over and above our general salary
had hard matter TO get away from home Nhcn
the afternoon Of the sixth came around. Ny dar-
ling Clung about me as Il her heart would break,
and although / did my best to cheer her, don't
mind couIessing now that went out and cried .
tear or two in the passage.
Keep up your spirits, Ally, dear" says !, smil-
ing, and kissed her The last thing before left the
house. And don't be spelling your pretty eyes
In that way. Remember want you to look well
anI that %, ha rr;o.l 40 -rnnrrOvv
The multitude at BelvideTe Gardens was some
thing wonderful. There they were, men, women,
and children, thrOnging tie balconies the orches-
tra stairs, and every available inch Of ground !
and there in the midst Of them, rolled and swayed
| the Wurtemhurv haIloon. like n sleepy, rolling