The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1901-09-05

Smlleu e~ucOuraSlngly Sne STRUGGLED
to overcome this hitherto unknown
fear, and prepared to put the lions
through their PAGES.
Cerberus was tractable enough, but
Diabolo, always uncertain in his tenn
per, was unusually impatient this aft
ernoon. But the performance went on
to all intents and purposes just as
usual, and with heartfelt thankfulness
Marie braced herself for the last feat,
"a wild dance over and among the
lions, ending in a final tableau as she
unfurled the Stars and Stripes to the
tune of Hail Columbia"
She gave a cut with her whip to
force the lions into recumbent posi-
lions, when just as she made her first
pose between them, a huge mastln,
which, unnoticed by its owner, had
been creeping nearer and nearer to the
cage, now sprang at the bars, bark
ing fiercely. II you have ever seen
this happen as / have, you already
foresee the result; if not; l can hardly
picture to you the wild fear, panic
and the fury of the lions.
Still and trembling for one brief in
slant, they rushed at each other and,
before Marie could change her posi-
ton, she lost her balance and fell
heavily against the bars while the
shock dislodged the tiny pistol always
n her belt, and flung it Sar 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 guardsl' 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 Ckept for emergency, he dashed
at the cage, jabbing n prodding the
lions with it's singing prongs. Nothing
but the knowledge that he must be
outside the cage-door to open it for
Marie, kept him from dashing IN
among the lions, whom he seemed 10
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 she heavy
iron swung to again, but not before
Diabolo's clawsha fastened upon Jim,
ripping his arm open from shoulder
to wrist, and almost tearing it from
it's socket. AS he sank upon the
ground a 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
more to quiet them than the efforts OF
the a 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
4, dressed and the fractured shoulder set
the doctors turned their attention tc
Marie, telling her that it might have
been so much worse, for though Jim's
t 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.
Marie's injuries were mere fesE
/ wounds, painful, but in no wise dan
gereous, and though the doctors mo
? mentarily expected a total nervous col
lapse, she pulled herself together in
S way marvellous to behold, seeming t.
n have eyes, ears and thoughts for NJ
f one but Jim.
o The next day, as Jim lay faint ant
e weak but conscious upon his bed, will
a Marie sitting beside him and Jimmy
cradle close by, Marie said, brayely
d 'It is Eat you are o to worry abou
Messing, my Jim, me, I will work TO
S bose while you and re bebe get well.
q Jim smiled family, as she leanet
over him lovingly, but his well hant
n closed with astonishing strength owe
hers, as she said firmly: That's a
it may be, Marie, but you'll have t.
work at something else, for though
IS I've lost n arm, maybe, I've still go
If the other, and you and me has qui
: the circus business for good. No." a
she seemed about to interrupt him
If 1--WE said my say, and though l don
'. put my foot down often, it's down thi
! time for keeps"
d And it was just at this juncture tina
" their good landlady handed Marie
4 letter addressed to Jim in a queer, I'm
= formed hand, and while Marie held
! for him, Jim, with difficulty, read a