Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1889-07-06

proves OF the plan, we will attend the
fete OF ST. Cloud, at which, among
other attractions, will be the great
lion tanner, the illustrious Bidel, with
his menagerie That is the proposition
/ have to offeEn
'Bravow cried Gisele. 'Your plan
is charmingI charmingl Is it not,
RobertP" she added, turning to her
lover.
Robert agreed with Gisele that their
friends plan was faultless, and it was
adopted with enthusiasm.
Accordingly, the following day found
Nine. de Balny, her daughter and
Robert at Saint Cloud as the guests Of
NJ Langle and his mother. The day
was spent in the delightful ways which
people escaping from the city in the
early summer find for passing the time
in the country. Gisele, however, was
all anticipation in regard to the APP
preaching fete, and especially in re-
gard to the lion-tamer, Bidel, of whose
exploits she had heard great deal.
Immediately after dinner. therefore,
Gisele, Robert and Langle went to the
fete, the elder ladies preferring to re-
main at the cottage.
They first attended Bidel's perform
ance with his lions, which Gisele watch
ed with the liveliest interest AS the
performance drew to a close Gisele be-
came so enthusiastic in regard to Bidel's
bravery that Langle said, jokingly, that
she ought to marry lion-tamer.
"Such is my intention. replied Gil
sele, for l am sure that Robert will
not deny the first request / have ever
made of him. win you, RobertP" she
added, turning to him.,
''Whatr' exclaimed Robert. "Do
you wish me to enter the lions cageP"
"Yes. Does that surprise you?"
"a little, confess"
"You ought to have as much courage
as a vulgar tanner OF animals" said
Gisele, who seemed to be put out by
her lovers backwardness in boarding
the lions to please her within.
"But to do what you ask me to do
would by no means be a proof Of cour-
age" answered Robert. at would be
a ridiculous act on my part. for would
be exposing myself for no purpose. "
"You speak lightly of the prospect
OF being devoured, said Langle, laugh
ing.
Langle wished to laugh Gisele out OF
her caprice. Gisele, on the other hand,
did not really wish her lover to enter
the lions cage, but she wanted him to
seem ready to do even that for her.
Then you refuseP" she asked Robert,
with an air of lisdain.
Langle, without giving Robert an OPP
portunity to reply, said:
Certainly refuses, for the conditions
are not the same for him as for Bidel,
who has been long accustomed to be-
ing among wild animals and has made
! a careful study of their character"
"You seem to take great interest in a
matter which does not concern you, II
said Gisele, who was vexed by Langle's
opposition.
But" replied Langle, gravely,
what you ask Robert to do is very
dangerous. Besides you forget that his
mother adoros him and that she will
never forgive you if you make him ex-
pose himself in this perilous manner.
But Gisele insisted.
Very well" said Robert coldly, 81
will enter the cage, if Bidel will allow
me to do so, as soon as the spectators
have departed. do not wish to give q
public exhibition of my courage" he
added with a tinge OF sarcasm in his
tone
'Ah! l knew you would consent!'
exclaimed Gisele, with apparent de-
light
a will arrange the matter at once,
said Robert.
He went to Bidel, with whom he held
short conversation, then returned
saying:
THE lions will be fed in a few min
utes, I will enter the cage with Bl
del"
BY this time the spectators had de
parted. Robert, Langle and Gisele ap
preached the cage. Presently the lion
| tanner joined them. He told Rober
that he was ready to feed the lions ant
| invited him into the cage.
mo, Robert, do not co. said Gisele
Il do not wish you to enter the cage.
l asked you to do so only because
| wanted you to seem ready to expose
| yourself to any danger Cor my sake"
| Pardon me, Giselt, for not accedin!
to this new caPyice as to the first, !" re
} piled Robert. 81 have resolved to en-
: ter the cage and shall do so.
r Robert turned away from Giscle, ant
5 a moment afterward he and the lion
{ tanner entered the cage. The lions
D eight in number, moved hither an
r thither, obedient to the command @
/ their master, but their large golde
eyes showed their establishment at tn
|, presence Of this intruder who accompa
o MED him.
t Gisele and Langle looked on in 81
r leuce and in agony. Gisele, who wa
b very pale, was only prevented fror
= giving voice to her anguish by the fea
1 OF aggravating her lovers peril He
= eyes, which were big with fright, wer
a fixed on Robert lie, on the othe
: hand, was quite calm, at least in ar
pearance. Like Bidel, he was arme
with bar Of iron and rawhide. H
9 was thus doubly prepared to repel tn
lions II they came too near him.
: Robert was in the cage abou
/, five minutes. Then he left it and re
.;..a Css.1o - ,,o5f,,t NTH iox