The Van Buren press., 1895-11-16
ALMOST A TRAGEDY.

(stories of rivals In love being to-
gether on the trapeze are common
enough, but the following is true.)
We had been partners, Jim and l,
for just upon ten years in the flying
trapeze line of business. We were
called the Brothers Darealli, and,
without boasting ('gassing,' we called
1t in the profession), we deserved the
name, for there was no feat, however
difficult or risky. but what we would
undertake and excel in.
We were devoted to our work and to
each other. Jim was twenty-seven and
/ was twenty-nine; we had started be-
fore either of us was twenty. We were
both single and had nothing to worry
about, SO were as happy as 1t Is possi-
BILE for two young fellows to be. Our
attachment was SO noticeable that our
associates called us the Corsican
brothers and other classic names
which don't recollect. And, I repeat.
we were as happy as possible until n
woman came between us. A womanl
No, she was witch, a fiend.
To all appearance she was veritable
Arcadian, SO guileless did she seem.
She was sweetly pretty, had charming
little figure and sweet voice; but was
as deceitful as delightful. fell vic
tim to her wiles first, and If ever a man
was an abiect slave TO a woman l was.
If were clever with my pen, perhaps
might express myself more POLITICALLY,
but in plain prose / was fool and
tool"
I've heard Of serpents fascinating
their victims with glance. II ever
there was human serpent, that rep
tile was Flora Denbigh. II ever there
was poor creature absolutely en-
chanted, that victim claims to be the
writer OF this narrative. had never
been in love before, so was as clay in
the hands of the potter. 1t came
about this way:
One evening, after the performance,
telegram was handed in to Jim. |
noticed he looked agitated, and asked
the reason.
my motherl" he faltered. "She is
hunStiohol1 liis 10
for me. l must go to her."
"Why, of course you must" said
"But how about the engagement?
Old Morritz won't let us break it with
out paying forfeit, and thatll be hard
on you, Jack"
mot so hard as you being prevented
from seeing your mother rejoined
'It won't ruin us, Jim; besides, per-
haps he'll let me do single turn till
you get back"
mo, no, jack" he exclaimed.
"Youve not been used to IL of late
You've got too heavy for leaps-why,
you've only been bearer the last few
years." which was true enough, the
bearer being the one who catches the
other as he does flying leaps, etc. Still
felt confident in my powers, and told
Jim so.
Well, it was arranged at last that
should do ground show-that Is, on
the platform only-with whispered
suggestion from old Morritz, our pro-
prietor, that could do "hariel hact,"
rs he called IL, when Jim was gone
! nodded assent, and saw my partner
off by the train to London that very
night.
On the second evening walked into
the private bar Of the hotel where we
were stopping and met my fatei
The first glance she shot at me out
OF her violet eyes with q CLEAN of
yellow In them) did the business. /
called for refreshment, and then STAN
mered out: "Er-good evening, miss.
I-er-haven't had the pleasure Of see
ing you before"
'But I've seen you" she said; the
melody of her voice no one could i'm
agine and she smiled as an angel might.
"Yes, I've seen you" she repeated; lat
the circus last night. How splendid
you looked, and how brave you must
be. I'm SO pleased TO know you"
= / must here mention that l was do
ing "hariel hact" in accordance with
the governors wish, and good reason
! had to be thankful for 1t, as after
events viii show.
When she said she was pleased to
know me blushed like a girl and NUT
tered some idiotic answer.
"You see" she continued, 1--WE been
on visit, and only came home last
night. I'm the daughter Of the house,
as they call it,"
She laughed delightfully."-, and I
stayed there completely captivated un-
til her father closed the bar. From
that time every hour and minute had
at my disposal passed in her society
AZ last / mustered up courage, told her
loved and worshiped her, and asked