Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-09-21

Onward ghded Sapranl, her luStrouS sides tense with voluptuous longing, while the toumril warbled louder and louder, and the coral and crystal pend- ants sparkled red and white, and the player swung his body from side to side in the mystic rapture of the melody. And now Saprani's head rose in the air. and her body coiled beneath until half her SinuouS grace was lifted above the floor and waved tO and fro like the waving of reeds i'll the breeze that breathcS upon the banks of Indian rivers. Her bright eyes sparkled and the dark membranous hood expanded on either side of her deli ate and deadly jaws. Drunk drunk she was with the keen iutoXicatium nt the thrilling music!
 The notes died away. the tuumril left he players lips. and Saprani sank nerve tess on the Indian carpet. Then with -entle careSsinG tones he spoke to her md drew her toward him with his haudS ;he yielded herself uhedicnt and lroop- ing. He lifted her and laid her softly about his neck. Her chilly coils touched his check and her head, drowsy and dead lN. hung down upon his forehead. The charmer turned to h,s visitor. looked in her eyes and smiled During this scene she had neither spoken TOY moved She till leaned forward with clasrad hands and ga-s inter-
 ! But as the spell ct the ,ncartaror sub- .ided she drew deer breath answered his smile ind c,urmu-ed Yes you have conquered 5o,--h
 sight: = Ed:-, ;.;3 to, c2-of;-;l-Y aa- winding the somnolent cobra from his neck. The masters of the art are there. I am an amateur only and self taught Such power cannot be taught" re- piled the girl. You were born Saprani's s master, and she recognizes YuI.'
 But I can delegate the power" said the other .'Saprani is the friend of all who are friends to me"
 '.Is she my friend:" asked the girl in low voice.
 That is known to you better than to me" was the reply.
 She threw back her silken shawl, and stretching out her firm round arm laid her hand unhesitatingly upon Saprani's folds as she lay in her masters arms. But the queen of serpents was not so deep in slumber or ill apathy as she seemed. At the touch of that slender udIlu SlIoHS ltllNtE Tdu I, IS a woman might shudder at the con tact of something she feared or hated. But with Saprani to hate was to resent. Swiftly as the eye could fouow the move ment her black neck rose and drew back and was launched forward again at Sin fires unprotected bosom.
 But swifter yet was the movement of the charmer's hand, which caught the an gry cobra just below the head and with held the fatal stroke. The next moment Saprani was in her cage, and the screen of glass had slid into its place. Then the charmer returned to his visitor.
 She had risen to her feet. As he came toward her she laughed lightly, but laid her hand over her heart.
 "You were not touched:" he asked quickly.
 ''No, but ill that moment made a long journey-away and back again. Death is remote country-to be so near! We'll, Saprani does not seem to believe in our friendship, Cousin Frank"
 'I will not ask you to forgive her. need all your forgiveness for myself for having exposed you to such a danger"
 "You saved my life, and life is per. haps the most formidable of dangers, she replied, smiling again. ''But i thank you none the less. And Saprani is su perb creature. I bear her no grudge She is jealous of her mas.sr.F NeS.s