Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-08-09
"Yes. Does that surprise youi"
GA little. 1 confess

tne iiOnS 10 picase ncr Wnim.
"But to do what you ask mo to do
would by no means be proof Of
courage" answered Robert. ''It would
be ridiculous act on my part, for I
would be exposing myself for no
purpose"
s'You speak lightly of the prospect of
being dcvourcd," said Lungle laughing.
Langlo wished to laugh Giselc out of
her caprice. Gisee, on the other hand,
did not really wish her lover to enter
tho lions cage but she wanted him to
seem ready TO do even that for her.
'Thcn you refusea' she asked Robert
with an air of disdain.
Langlc, without giving Robert IN
opportunity to reply, said:
Certainly he refuses, for the condi.
tions are not tho same for him as for
Bidel, who has been long accustomed to
being among wild animals and has mado
careful study Of their character"
"You seem to take great interest in
matter which does got concern YOU"
said Gisclc who was vcxed by Langlos
opposition.
'But," replied Langlc gravcly, "what
you ask Robert to do is very dangerous.
Besides you forget that his mother
adorcs him and that she will never for
give you if you make him expose himself
in this pcrilous manner"
But G;sclc insisted.
every WE'LL" said Robert coldly, ~
will enter the cage, if Bdcl will allow
me to do so, as soon as the spectators
have departed. do not wish to give n
public exhibition of my courage" he
added with tingo of sarcasm in his
tone.
"Ah! 1 knew you would conscntp
exclaimed Gisclc with apparent delight.
al will arrange the matter at once"
said Robert.
Ho went to Bidcl with whom he held
short conversation, then returned,
saying:
''Thc Lions will be fed In q few
minutes. will enter the cage then
with Bidcl."
BY this time the spectators had de-
parted. Robert, Langlo and Gselc
approached the cage. Presently the
lion-tame joined them. lie told Rob
crt, that he was ready to feed the lions
and invited him into the cage.
"No, Robert, do not go, "said Gisclc.
81 do not wish you to enter the cage.
1 asked you 10 do so only because
wanted you 10 seem ready to expose
yourself to any danger for my sake"
Pardon me, Giscle, for no. acccding
to this new caprice of yours as to tho
first" replied Robert. 81 have re-
solved 10 enter the cage and 1 shall do
So"
Robert turned away from Gisclc,
and amoment aftcrward he and the lion
tanner entered the cage. Tho lions,
eight in number, moved hithcr and
thithcr, obeidcnt to the command of
their master. but their large golden eyes
showed their establishment ut the
presence of this intruder who acco mpan-
led him.
Giselc and Lnngle looked on in silence
and i'll agony. Gisele, who was very pale,
was only prevented from giving voice
to her anguish by the fear of aggravat-
ing her lover S peril. Her eyes, which
were big with fright, were fixed on
Robert. He, on the other hand, was
quito calm, at least in appearance
Like Bidcl he was armed with n bar
of iron and n raw hide. He was thus
doubly prepared 10 repcl the lions if
they came too near him.
Robert was in the cage about five
minutes. Then he left it and rcioined
Giscle, who, radiant with JOY, her hands
extended, exclaimed.
'oh, Robert how admire you'll how
Robert took one of Gisclc's hands in
his, and, intcrrupting her, said in a
calm voice.
''Do not praise my exploit so much,
for the act which you applaud was per-
formed for my own sake rather than
yours. If 1 am brave, as now you
evidently think me, confess that l nm
not without fear that shall not always
dc able to accedc to your desires, and
as it would pain mo to cross so charming
Il woman renouncc the honor of being
your husband"
As soon as they returned to the cot
tage the party started for Paris. When
they reached Gisclc's home Robert babe
her good-by with profound bow. On
entering the house Gisele found the
superb boquct which she was accustomed
to receive each day from Robert; it was