Gilpin observer., 1901-06-20

Still and trembling for one Brief IN
stant, they rushed at each other and.
before Marie could change her posi-
tion, she lost her balance and fell
heavily against the bars while the
shock dislodged the tiny pistol always
m her belt, and flung 1t far beyond her
reach. Then the lions turned upon
her, their eyes wild with fury.
"Cerberus, Diabolo." she shouted, as
she struck at them with her whip.
trying in vain to fix them with her
eyes. But it was useless. Three times
they chased her round the cage while
the audience held their breath.
"The guards!" gasped the people.
ooh! God, the guards" their absence
being now noticed for the first time.
All! but the audience had forgotten
Jim! Snatching the long-handled
fork (kept for emergency, he dashed
at the cage, jabbing and prodding the
lions with its stinging prongs. Nothing
but the knowledge that he must be
outside the cage-door to open 1t for
Marie, kept him from dashing in
among the lions, whom he seemed to
fear no more than ants.
Then, as for one instant driven to
the end of the cage. they turned again
upon Marie, Jim flung the door wide
open-she dashed out-and the heavy
iron swung to again, but not before
Diabolo's claws had fastened upon Jim,
ripping his arm open from shoulder
to wrist, and almost tearing it from
its socket. AS he sank upon the
ground bleeding, unconscious mass,
Mr.. McGrath and the delinquent
guards hurried to the spot
The audience rose to a man, and
for a moment panic seemed inevitable.
But the thought in every mind that 1t
was probably all over for Jim, did
moro to quiet them than the efforts OF
the manager, and as several doctors
hurried from the crowd, and Jim on a
hastily improvised litter, was borne
from the tent followed by Marie. her.
self bleeding from several wounds, the
tinsel and gauze almost torn off her
back, many women and even men
sobbed aloud.
When the lacerated arm had been
dressed and the fractured shoulder set.
the doctors turned their attention to
Marie, telling her that it might have
been SO much worse, for though Jim's
left arm would be useless for many
months (they feared, though they
never limited it. forever), his iron con-
stitution and sober habits would has
ten and insure his recovery.
Maries injuries were mere flesh
wounds, painful. but in no wise dan
gereous, and though the doctors mo-
mentarily expected total nervous col
lapse, she pulled herself together in
way marvellous to behold, seeming to
have eyes, ears and thoughts for no
one but Jim.
The next day. as Jim lay faint and
weak but conscious upon his bed, with
Marie sitting beside him and Jimmy's
cradle close by, Marie said, bravely:
1T is Eat you are now to worry about
nossing, my Jim, me. l will work for
bose while you and re bebe get WELL"
Jim smiled family, as she leaned
over him lovingly, but his well hand
closed with astonishing strength over
hers, as she said firmly: That's as
it may be. Marie. but you'll have to
work at something else, for though
I've lost one arm. maybe, I've still got
the other. and you and me has quit
the circus business for good. No." as
she seemed about to interrupt him,
I've said my say. and though don't
put my foot down often, it's down this
time for keeps"
And it was just at this juncture that
their good landlady handed Marie n
letter addressed to Jim in queer un-
,n1 han
for him, Jim, with difficulty, read as
follows:
I'm n plain feller and no saint. but
do admire brave man when | meet him
and l never see n neater job than va
done yesterday. L hear the gals yer
wife. and If ye ever leave her do the
lion act again L say ye don't deserve to
keep her AS ye may be a bit short tin
ye git goin' again. 1 enclose n trine
which l shant never miss from a pile l
made on the trak last week. And ye