Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-02-06
his bloodshot eyes stared wide and cold

"You are not we'll tonight, Zoe" said
the man of science, examining her pulse
attentively. He became thoughtful. 81
don't think you ought to risk it," he
said.
"Oh, l am not afraid now you are
here" she said in her charming way.
81 think you had better wait"
"Now don't get naughty. Imust go.
want to 20. Why, there's two hun
dred dollars in that crowd, anyhow my
manager would be crazy if l did not
walk. Besides, contracted to do one
street walk every two weeks in addition
to the lofty centre pole act every day.
Why, I've done the lofty FIVE hundred
times and never lost my head, and why
is there danger now ;"
"But it is more difficult to see the
rope at night he persisted.
81 never look at my feet when |
walk"
"You are feverish and nervous"
at will make me all the more care
full"
"Well, walk then," said Golson with
shrug Of his shoulders.
Now Goldy don't look that way
He became cheerful and beaming in a
moment. The manager appeared on the
opposite roof and signaled the girl to
proceed. The attendants at both ends
examined the fastenings Of the rope to
see that they were properly secured.
They produced trays in which to burn
colored fires, and heaped Jumps of the
combustible material upon the parapet
Zoe mounted the parapet with an elias
tic step. and threw kisses at the shout
ing crowd below as the red fires brought
out her frail form. She looked very
charming and pretty, standing smiling
in the intense glare Of the light.
"Give me the POLE" she demanded
smilingly of Golson, holding out small
pretty hand and dimpled arm.
He picked up the cumbersome balanc-
ing pole and placed it in her hands. She
found the centre. shook hands with Col
son, threw kisses at the crowd and step
ped firmly upon the rope. She soon found
a safe pose, took few steps and halted.
She glanced back at the attendants, and
anxiously regarded the pile Of fire.
"You are burning it too fast" she
said. Goodbye, Goldly," and she pick
ed her way over the narrow bridge that
spanned the yawning chasm beneath.
She was graceful, and walked with con-
siderable ease apparently, stopping occa-
sionally, to shift the pole and steady her.
self.
"She is walking slowly and shaky to-
night" said one of the men.
as she not walking as well as
usual :" asked Golson. hurriedly. as he
looked at her steadily. His glance new
er left her a moment.
"No; she can beat that. l think
she must be in the sulks."
Golson paid no attention to the insult,
and watched her with fascinated gaze.
His face was somewhat paler than usual,
in spite Of the red glare. He did not
move a muscle. Zoe had passed the
middle Of the street the most dangerous
place and continued her walk toward
the other end. She toiled up the incline,
the rope depressing under her tiny nim-
BILE feet. and at last she jumped safe and
sound upon the opposite roof
A tremendous, deafening shout arose
from the mob, and the plucky girl threw
bunch of kisses at Golson. The color
had returned to his face with unnatural
intensity, and the look of anxiety had
passed. His chest was broader and eyes
brighter. He simply smiled at Zoe, and
did not even applaud her performance.
The shouting below continued. The
men made no preparation to remove the
rope, but Golson started for the ladder.
Hold on she's coming back said
one of the attendants.
Golson stopped as if he had been shot
through the brain. The hard anxious
look returned, and the deadly pallor came
back
81 did not know that" he said calmly
and resignedly.
He resumed his old position, and
watched the girl with interest-with a
gaze in which were concentrated his
soul and heart and strength and mind
look in which was expressed the pro-
foundest feelings of strong nature.
Zoe rested moment and again step
ped upon the rope. She had proceeded
about ten feet, when some one of the
men remarked:
"She's scared"
Golson noticed it, we all saw it. Her
teeth were 80 tightly compressed that in