North Park union., 1901-06-28

Asaviiy asnl H. Aass wAfls sAs
shock disloAiN Ne tiny pistol alvays
N Asr belt. and ENG It far hsSonl Asr
rsaeh. Thsa ~ lions turned uDoo
her. their eye Wild With fury.
'Cerberus. Diabolo." shs shouted. -
she struck At them with her wAip.
trying in vain to AZ them Win her
eyss. But It was ussless. Three tines
they chased hersTound the cage while
the audience held their breath.
The suards!" sasped the people.
"oh! God. the guards" their absence
being now noticed for the frst time.
Al! but the audience had forgotten
Jim! Snatching the long-handisd
fork (kept for emergency. he dashed
at the cage. 1abbing and prodding the
lions with its stingins 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
tear NO more than ants.
Then. as for one instant driven 70
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 1t from
its socket. As he sank upon Tie
ground q bleeding. unconscious mass.
Mr.. McGrath and the delinquent
guards hurried to the spot.
Tho audience rose to q man, and
for moment panic seemed inevitable.
But the thought in every mind that II
was probably all over for Jim. did
more to quiet them than the EFFORTS OF
the manager, and as several doctors
hurried from the crowd. and jim on .
hastily improvised litter. was borne
from the tent. followed by Marie. her
self bleeding from several wounds. the
tinsel and gauze almost torn OF 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
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 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 rat you are now to worry about
nossing. my Jim. me. will work for
bose while you and re bebe get we'll"
Jim smiled family. az she leaned
over him lovingly. but his we'll hand
closed with astonishing strength over
hers. as she said firmly: That's a.
1t 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." a.
she seemed about to interrupt him.
I've said my say. and though don't
put my foot doYn often. It's down this
time for keeps"
And 1t was Just at this juncture that
their good landlady handed Marie q
letter addressed to Jim in = queer, un-
formed hand, and while Marie held II
for him. Jim. with dinculty. read a.
follows:
I'm . plain feller and no saint, but I
do admire a brave man when meet him,
and I never SEQ . neater job than "
done yesterday. hear the gals yer
wife, and II ye ever leave her do the
lion act again I say 70 don't deserve to
keep her. As ye may be q bit short till
ye git goin' again. I enclose = trins
which / shan't never miss from . pile I
made on the trak last week. And "
needn't never try to thank me. fer shall
be miles away when ys Git this letter
from FRIEND.
The letter held hve clean bills OF
ono hundred dollars each. and little
Jimmy crowed with delight a. the
pretty green things huttered down