The Globe-republican., 1902-08-21


look that spoke unutterable and I'M
dying love, and with this love there
was mingled gratitude. 1 glanced at
the majors face 1t set and
stern, and his keen eyes were bent
the beautiful actress
She stepped into the loop of rope
and was drawn up to the trapeze.
She spsang from the trapeze to the
bars and back again. Then she hung
head downward ant. swung to and fro
on the flying trapeze.
Suddenly there was smell of
smoke, and a streak of flame shot
upward The rope of the loop, the
one that carried Barlotti aloft and
brought her down again, was burning
1t had evidently been saturated with
oil, for it burned fierce1y, and the
flames licked upward only the
flame of burning oil can do.
And Signorina Barlotti when she
saw the flames coming toward her,
gasped and hung half fainting on the
bar of her trapeze.
1 had left my seat and had drawn
nearer to the ground inside the trap
eze- I saw there was still rope that
held this in its place, and down which
the girl might slide with safety. 1
was about to call to her when 1 saw
an attendant of the circus-evidently
an Italian-touch match to this rope
and the flame began its deadly work.
Apparently 1 was the only one who
saw the act, and 1 sprang forward TO
seize the miscreant, but he disap-
peared like a snake in the crowd.
At that moment l heard deep
voice near me calling:
"Nita. Nita! Hold fast to your bari
1, Maubikeck, will save you.''
Turning, 1 the lion tanner at
the newly fired rope, and regardless
of burned hands he was trying to
extinguish the flames. 1 stepped to
his side and helped him.
Together we fought the devilish
flame, my hands being severely
burned, until the lower part of the
rope was free from fire.
Above there was still fame and it
was rapidly licking its way toward
the trapeze.
Hold this rope tight!'' shouted the
1iOn-tamer in my ear.
Instinctively I seized it, and in an
other moment the major with me.
Together we pulled at the charred
rope. while Maubikeck climbed up
ward, extinguishing the flames as he
progressed.
Suddenly a pistol shot rang out and
a cry of horror swept over the pant
ing, excited crowd. l looked upward,
expecting to see either Maubikeck or
Barlotti fall dead.
To my surprise neither the lion
tanner nor Nita exhibited any signs
| of having been shot Above the roar
-Nita!' he cried initial Leap
| into my armsI Do not hesitate! I
| can hold you!
The girl, obedient to his command
| and confident of his power, swung the
| burning trapeze outward then inward
and releasing the bar leaped squarely
| at Maubikeck through space. His out
| stretched hands seized her and held
| her safe.
| simultaneously with Nita's courage
Gus leap, came a cry from the crowd.
"Ma1igni'S Shoti' some one cried
| and the cry was taken up and echoed
| all over the garden. The uproar in
! creased and the center of excitement
| moved away from us to that point
| where the wounded Snowman lay In
| a few minutes Maubikeck had de-
| Scended with his ha1f-fainting burden
| and his bruised hands held her ten
| derby, while a flask of brandy that
| some person handed to the major was
| pressed to her lips.
| Get her safely home, said the
| major. Dick, you stay and help the
| lion-tamer- 1 am going to see what
| has happened to the Italian
| Can I be of any help?" I asked
| Maubikeck.
who are you?' he asked in reply.
| '.Wilberton, of the Lotus Club I
| answered.
Come with u.s. he said. "Perhaps
| you may be able to help me solve this
/ hellish mystery The girl is sur
| rounded by enemies, who are trying
| to kill her. The reason we do not
| know Come with us to her hotel
| Ma1igni will not interfere tonight
| Motioning for me to follow, the lion
| tanner led her away, and I followed at
| a respectful distance He took her
| first to her dressing-room, where he
| left her in charge of an attendant
| Then he joined me.
| When Nita is dressed" he said
I'VE will go to her hotel am not
| accustomed to New York. You may
| be able to help find her enemies
Keeping the knowledge OF what I
| had seen-the Italian firing the rope
for future divu1gence, 1 stood with
| Maubikeck, awaiting the appearance
| of the trapeze queen
| AS Nita came from her dressing
room, she was accompanied by an
ugly Italian woman, who acted prob
/ ably in the capacity of maid and at
| tendant, but more particularly, I
/ learned later of Ixa