The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-28

her. But Jim was there. and he smiled
 encouragingly. She struggled to over. come this hitherto unknown fear and prepared to put the lions through their paces.
 Cerberus was tractabIe enough, but Diabolo. always uncertain in his tenn per, was unusually impatient this af- ternoon. But the performance went on to all intents and purposes just as usual. and with heartfelt thankfulness Marie braced herself for the last feast "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 positions when, just as she made her first pose between them, a huge mastiff, which, unnoticed by the owner, had been now sprang at the bars, barking fierce ly. If you have ever seen this happen as I have, you already foresee the re- suit; if not, can hardly picture to you the wild fear, panic and the fury of the lions.
 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 in 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. try ing in vain to fix them with her eyes But it was useless. Three times they chased her around the cage while the audience held their breath.
 The guards!" gasped the people. "Oh. God. the guards" their presence being now noticed for the first time. An! but the audience had forgotten Jim! Snatching the long handled fork Rept 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 fol 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 arms open from shoulder to wrist, and almost tearing it from tto oOShCbs <Ao liC Sduh uEOIl LIG kTOuHQ a bleeding, unconscious mass, MT. Mc- Grath and the delinquent guards hur- ried to the spot
 The audience rose to a man, and for a moment panic seemed inevitable But the thought in every mind that it was probably all over for Jim, did more to quiet them than the efforts of the man. ager, and as several doctors hurried from the crowd. and Jim on a hastily imprc 'sed litter, was borne from the tent. followed by Marie, herself bleed ing from several wounds, the tinsel and gauge 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 1t might have been so much worse, for though Jim's s left arm would be useless for many months they feared, though they never hinted it, forever). his iron con- stitution and sober habits would has, ten and insure his recovery.
 Marie's injuries were mere flesh wounds, painful, but in no wise dan gerous and though the doctors mo- lapse she pulled herself together in a 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: Tt is zat you are now to worry about nossing. my Jim, me, I will work for bose while you and ze bebe get we'll. !"
 Jim smiled faintly as she leaned him lnUinOly hut hi xrroII h 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 ms has quit the circus business for good. Mo-" as she seemed about to interrupt him, I've said my say and though I 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 a letter addressed to Jim in a queer, un- formed hand and while Marie held 1t for him, Jim, with difficulty, read as follows:
 I'm a plain feller and no saint, but do admire a brave man when I meet him. and never see heater job than ye done yesterday. I hear the gals yer wife, and if ye ever leave her do the lion act again I say ye don't deserve to keep her. As ye may be a bit short till ye git goin' again. enclose a trifle which shan't never miss from a pile I made on the track last week. And ye needn't never try to thank me, fer I shall be miles away when ya git this letter from A Friend"
 The letter held five clean bills of $100 each. and little Jimmy crowed with de- light as the pretty green things flut- tered down upon the counterpane.