The Yale expositor., 1902-08-15

standing near the ropes or the trap
ere. and as the girl passed him. | saw
her glance up into his face with a
look that spoke unutterable and un.
dying love. and with this love there
was mingled gratitude. | glanced at
the majors face. IL was set and
stern. and his keen eyes were bent
on the beautiful actress.
She stepped into the loop Of rope
and was drawn up TO the trapeze.
She sprang from tho trapezc to the
bars and back again. Then she hung
head downward ant swung 10 and fro
on tho 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.
Il had evidently been saturated with
oil. for IL burned iercely. and the
flames licked upward as 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.
had left my seat and had drawn
nearer TO the ground inside the trap
eye. saw there was still a rope that
held this In its place. and down which
the girl migat slide with safety.
was about to call TO her when | saw
an attendant OF the circus-evidently
an ItalIan-touch a match to this rope
and the flame began it's deadly work
Apparently ! was the only one who
saw the act. and | sprang forward TO
seize the miscreant, but he dlsap-
pearod like a snake In the crowd.
At that moment | heard n deep
voice near me calling:
"Nlta! Mia! Hold fast TO your bari
|. Maubikeck. will save youl"
Turning, / saw the lion tanner AZ
the newly fired rope. and regardless
OF burned hands he was trying to
extingdsh the flames. | stepped to
his side and helped him.
Together we fought the devlllsh
fame. my hands being severely
burned, until the lSver part of the
rope was free from fire.
Above tlere was still fame. and Il
was rapidly licking its way toward
the trapeze.
Hold this rope Tight" shouted the
llon.tamor in my ear.
Instinctively | seized II. and In an.
other moment the major was with me.
Together we pulled at the charrcd
rope. while Maublkeck climbed up.
ward. eXtinguIshing the flames as he
progressed.
Suddenly n pistol shot rang out and
a cry of horror swept over the pant.
ing. excited crowd. | looked upward.
expecting 10 see either Maublkeck or
Barlotti fall dead.
To my surprise neither tho lion.
tanner nor Mia exhibited any signs
OF having been shot. Above the roar
OF the crowd | heard his Voice.
"Nita!" he cried. "Nita. Leap
into my arms! Do not hesitate! /
can hold you"
The girl, obedient 10 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 cry from the crowd
"Malignis siot." some one cried.
and the cry was taken up and echoed
all "a ri Il.
creaged and tae center OF excitement
moved away from us TO that point
where the wounded Snowman lay. In
a few minutes MaublkecK had de.
scended with his halffainting burden.
and his bruised hands held her ten.
derby. while a TASK 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. | am going 10 see what
has happened 10 the Italian"
Can | be OF any help?" I asked
Maubikeck.
Who are your" he asked In reply.
"Wilberton. OF tho Lotus Club" I
answered.
Come with u.s." he said Perhaps
you may be able TO help me solve this
hcllish mystery. The girl Is sur
rounded by enemies. who arc trying
to kill her. The reason we do not
know. Come with us 20 her hotel
Maligni will not interfere tonight"
Motioning for me to follow. the lion
tanner led her away. and followed nj
n respectful distance. lie took her
first to her dressln groom. where he
left her in charge OF an attendant
Then he Joined me.
"When Mia IS dressed" he said
I'VE will go TO her hotel. am not
accustomed 90 New York. You may
be able TO help us find her enemies. :"
Keeping the knowledge or what
had secn-the Italian firing the rope
for future divulgence. | stood with
Maubikeck, awaiting the appearance
OF the trapezc queen.
As Mia came from her dressing
room she was nccOropaufod hv an