Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-05

The curtain was pushed aside, and the
| clown came In.
81 can't keep it going any longer, old
chap. The governor has gone on to ask for
silence. and the men have begun to roll up
| the cages. Don't take on SO, dear" he said
! to Elsie, as a sharp shudder went through
/ her. Look how much better he looks now.
| Here. WILL" he added anxiously, II bOr-
| rowed Jenny's rouge. Give him a touch.
| See, Elsie, you understand these things bet
ter than 1 do; touch HIM up. Do you re-
member the notice in the Bessborough
Journal; it said he was white as sheet, and
the governor did not like it.
''Stoop down, my darling" murmured
Else. ''I will give you a color, so. Now
don't forget. Will! Will! keep your eye on
Dion, he is growing fierce"
81 must CO." said Will, his death-like
pallor showing even through the rouge.
''StopP' exclaimed the clown, looking al
him fxedly. stop! you are not fit to go.
Give over tonight and I'll go and play the
fool and get the governor to get you off
mo, no, friend, said Will. "Nonsensei
the cages are on. Goodbye, sweet love"
He stopped and kissed her lightly. She
put out no hands to stay him, he must not
be stopped now. The moment had come.
He went out.
Elsie flung herself on her knees by the
bench; she thrust her hands into her hair
in wild abandonment, twisting it round and
round.
Heaven help us, child, what is it?'' said
the old clown, seating himself by her. "Is
it always like this?"
She nodded; her whole brain was absorbed
in the agony of listening. She could hear
every far-off soft football OF her husbands
feet as he crossed into the arena.
The old clown bent down and spoke in q
whisper: "Elsie! has he lost his nerve2"
She turned her ashen face to his and
nodded again, then returned to her absorbed
fearful listening.
The manager Of the circus had as usual
paved the way tor Condor's appearance.
Ladies and gentlemen, to you who have
honored US by your presence here tonight,
we appeal to ask OF your kindness great
favor. The renowned lion tanner, Signor
Guglielmo Cordovino, will now go through
his unique performance in the lions den
His power over them is such that he can 90
in, handle them like dogs, lie down with his
head on the shoulder o: the gigantic African
monarch, Dion. But 1 must venture to
point out to you that to insure the absolute
saety of our famous performer, a profound
silence on the part OF the audience is not
only desirable, but essential. Ladies and
gentlemen, deeply as we value your applause,
that you will manifest no sign OF feeling.
In some cases, where the lions are miserable
cowed brutes, this preeaution may not be
necessary, but it is not so with our lions.
They are the veritable desert monarchs, the
mighty kings of the forest; they are power
full as in their native freedom; in their
mightiness only to be constrained by the su-
perior will of man."
With a profound bow the manager with
drew, and breathless silence reigned in the
whole vast arena.
The huge cages filled the space. The au-
dience were faithful, with bated breath they
stared and made no sign of applause. There
were five lions altogether; two of them
seemed asleep, two restlessly roamed from
side to side, backward and forward, with Q
well-learnt experience OF the limits of their
space and the spot on which it behoeved them
to turn. One huge fellow lay close to the
bars, his great head between his paws, the
only sign of life about him being in the
CLEAN of his eye.
Lucy Brandreth shrank closer to her hus-'
band. There was no one to see, so he put
his arm round her and held her hand fast.
lor she was trembling.
Sir Maxwell Bede was leaning forward.
his eyes fixed on the opening through which
.he lion tanner must come,
All eyes were strained on the same spot.
when lightly, easily, moving with the grace