The state herald., 1901-06-21

heavily against the bars while the
shock dislodged the tiny pistol always
N her belt. and flung 1t far beyond her
reach. Then the lions turned upon
her. their eyes wild with. fury.
'Cerberus. Diabolo." she shouted. -
she struck at them with her whip.
trying In vain to Ax 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.
"Oh! God. the guards" their absence
being now noticed for the hrst time.
All! but the audience had forgotten
Jim! Snatching the long-handlsd
fork (kept for emergency. he dashed
at the cage, jabbing and prodding the
lions with Its singing prongs. Nothing
but the knowledge that he must be
outside the cage-door to open II. for
Marie. kept him from dashing In
among the lions. whom he seemed to
fear no moro than ants.
Then, as for one instant driven to
the end Of the cage. they turned again
upon Marie. Jim dung the door vide
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 q bleeding. unconscious mass.
Mr. McGrath and the delinquent
guards hurried to the spot.
The 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 1t. 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-
yy1o n n rf1vy N t1t t,I ,ol
lapse. she pulled herself together in q
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. will work for
bose while you and &c bebe get WE'LL"
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
1t may be. Marie. but you'll have to
work at something else. for though
We iost ohe arm, may ue, We stlll 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 1t was Just at this juncture that
their good landlady handed Marie a
letter addressed to Jim in n queer. un-
formed hand. and while Marie held IL
for him. Jim. with difficulty. read a.
follows:
I'm q plain feiicr and no saint. but I
do admire n brave man when meet him.
and ! never SEQ \ neater job than We
done yesterday. l hear the gals yer
wife. and II 20 ever leave her do the
lion act again I say ye don't deserve 10
keep her. As ye may be bit short I'M
ye git Eoin' again. enclose n trife
which ] shnn't never miss from n pile 1
made on the trak last week. And ye
needn't never try to thank me. fer l shall
be miles away when ye git this letter
from A FRIEND.
Tho letter held nve clean bills Of
one hundred dollars each. and little
Jimmy crowed with delight us tho
pretty green things nuttered down