The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-03-18
NEARLY A TRAGEDY

we had been partners, Jim and
for Just ten years in the flying trapez
line of business. We were called tn
Brothers Darealli, and without boast
ing 'gassing' we called it i'm the pro
feesion) we deserved the name, 70
there was no feat, however risky, bu
what we would undertake and exec
il.
We We're devoted to our work and tc
each other. Jim was twenty-sever
and | was twenty-nine; we had start
Ell before either of Us was twenty. w,
were both single and had nothing Ia
worry about, so we were as happy as il
Il possible for two young fellows to be-
Our attachment was so noticeable that
our associates called us the 'Corsican
Brothers and other classical names,
which l do not recollect. And, | re-
peat, We were as happy as possible
until-a woman came between US. 4
woman I! No she was witch, fiend
To all appearances she was verita-
bic Arcadian, so guileless did she seem.
She was sweetly pretty and had "a
charming little figure and sweet
voice, but was as deceitful as delight
ful. | fell victim to her wiles first.
and If ever man was an abiect slave
To woman | 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. If ever
there was human serpent, that rep
tile was Flora Denbigh. If ever there
was poor creature absolutely enchant-
ed, that victim claims TO be the writer
of this narrative. | had never been in
love before, SO was as clay i'm the hands
OF the potter. 1t came about in this
way.
One evening after the performance a
telegram was handed TO JIM noticed
he looked agitated and asked the rea-
son.
my mother"' he faltered. She is
i'll, Jack-she is asking for
must go to her.
why, of course you must said |.
but how about the engagement?
Old MorritZ won't let us break il with
out paying forfeit, and that'll he hard
on you, Jack"
Not so hard as you being prevented
from seeing your mother i rejoined.
1T won't won't ruin us, jim; besides,
perhaps he'll let me do single turn
ill you get back
mo, no, Jack he exclaimed. won
nave not been Used to it of late you've
which was true enough, the bearer
being the one who catches the other as
he does the flying leaps, etc. Still /
was confident in my own powers, and
told Jim so.
Well, it was arranged at last that L
should do a ground show that is, on
the platform only, with whispered
suggestion from old Morritz that |
could doa 'haerial hact, as he called it,
when Jim was gone. | nodded assent
and saw my partner off by 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 fate
The first glance she shot at me out of
her violet eyes did the business. call
ed for refreshment, and then stammer-
ed out: "Er-good evening, miss. /
er-haven't had the pleasure of seeing
you before
But I've seen you,' she said; the
melody of her voice no one could
imagine, and she smiled as an angel
might. Yes, I've seen you,' she re-
peated; at the circus last night. How
splendid you looked, and how brave
YOU must be. I'm so pleased to know
you
must mention here that was do
ing an aerial act in accordance with
the governors wish, and good reason
had to be thankful for it, as after
events will show.
When she said she was pleased to
know me, I blushed like girl, and
muttered some idiotic answer.
You see,' she continued, I've been
on visit aud only came home last
evening. I'm the daughter of the
house, they call it,
She laughed delightfully."-, and / stay
ed there completely captivated until
her father closed the bar. From thai
time every hour and minute | had a
my disposal / passed in her society
At last mustered up courage and tolG
her loved her, and asked her to mar
nv me. She would give no definite an
swer, but / thought it would be al
right, sine seemed so single-minded AM
affectionate. Three weeks flew by, ant
lived i'm FOOLS paradise, until on
evening / was positively startled ol
seeing Jim walk in. Of course wa
delighted to see him. AS We shool
hands heartily he told me that hi
mother had quite recovered.
"Pray, introduce me to your friend
Mr.. Darealli," said Flo, as she fiashe
glance at him.
"He is my partner, friend and brotl
er," | responded. "Jim, this youn
lady is Miss Flora Denbigh; am pc
mitted to call her Flo, and so may yo'
if she don't object"
"Oh, / don't mind, as he's yor
brother" she said, smiling archl.
"and a much younger brother, too"
"Not much younger" observed jim
; pressing the hand she presented the
! as NV ewes followed Flora's | notice
? for the first time how much more ham
!. some and Juvenile looking he was tbs
!, myself: then with a pang felt sorl
he had returned. The next morning
was roundly berating myself for Il
evil thought, but instinct was rigl
and affection wrong in this case.
We renewed our performance, and
noticed that Flora was at the circ
more often than when was doing II
single turn. 1t was then that jealou
got hold of me, and began to ente
tain feeling of distrust for my pa
ner and friend. OF course l watch
him closely, and it soon became pla
-. l.. ..-o. q, ,.,uch in love with ElO