The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-20

him burst OF applause broke out. The lions in
their cage moved restlessy, reared themselves
up and burst INTO roar; even old Dion rose,
slowly walked to the bars with a snarling sound
and flung himself down again.
The sound Of hush, hush went round and the
people were silent.
For a moment he stood before them, handsome
VIII Condor, up1ght, symmetrical. so perfect in
proportion that The eye rested on him in keen ad-
mifation, then lightly, swiftly he walked on,
opened the gate and went in.
He walked fsmarly about among the lions,
touching one ana palting another, pushing one
on one SIDE, always keeping his eye on old Dion,
who had Withdrawn 10 The further end of the
cage and lay there slowly wagging his huge tail.
Not sound: the people wet wrapt In breath
less silence. What was IL? Why did not the
usual routine proceed? Will was standing quite
, SIN, with his hand on bis chest not moving from
place TO place as lie generally did. What allied
nm p? HIS eyes were fixed on Dion. 1t was too
evident The horrible weakness OF humanity
had come over him. the terrible irrepressible
cough shaking him from head to foot, taking
from INN a.! power. all dominion. startling the
animals and rousing Within them the savage IN
stinct that he was no longer MASTER
kind OF sob of terror rose from the audience;
Dion was crouchiDg. flashing his tail. There was
tremendous. roar. leap. From every side
arose wild shrieks.
Condor was down, Dion standing above linn,
standing on his chest looking round on the
spectators with great bloodshot eyes.
A Kind OF sharp whisper thrilled through the
crowd; 1t came from Sir Maxwell Bede. who
was leaning f0rward. his hand in his breast.
"tof Gods sake keep silent!" and they obeyed
him.
At this instant suddenly sprang into view The
glittering fairy clad Elsie-she paused not but
bounded over The barrier; she knew the trick of
The iron gates, she opened them and sprang In !;
little circus cries burst from her lips with
slender white wand she pointed at the animals.
BACK, SAM! back. Beauty! now Dion back
sir Dion, Dion |"
Dion moved slowly, he was still lashing his
tau, but he knew her, he knew the voice OF au-
thority. Back, sir back Dion good Dion %
she cried, and the lion retreated, drawing him.
self backward.
Elsie stood before her husband. He rose to his
feet, and drawing her with him, slowly backed
toward the door, she still keeping her eyes on
Dion, still utteling the short circus cries.
Ihey were near the door; with dexter0us fin.
gers he had untaStened 1t. Not foot between
them and safely, when fearful roar rang
through the arena. All the wild lust for blood
na1 IedWdKened IN The savage brute, 0yefmaS-
tellng the superficial disciplIne-be sprang-
The pistol-snot, aimed by the truest hand that
ever surgeon possessed, pierced the brain of the
great African monarch. With an awful yelp lie
dropped to the ground, tearing up all the sawdust
in the ron OF his death agony.
WIZ ana Elsie were safe, despatched from
and all the riders, the clown, the master, were
crowdug around them.
Lucy Brandreth had tainted.
when she returned 10 consciousness the whole
scene was changed. The wild beasts were gone,
fresh sawdust was SpIinkied, a CAV quartet al
pretty people cantered in, and the audience were
recovering from The frghtful anxiety they had
been through.
Are you better, Lucy?" asked Colonel Brand
reib, tenderly.
where Is hep"
lie has gone down TO the manager. He must
make good the loss OF the lion, my dearn
She had grown winter than ever.