Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-10-31

Suddenly there was smell OF
smoke, and streak of flame shot
upward. The rope Of the loop, the
one that carried Barlotti aloft and
brought her down again, was burning.
It had evidently been saturated with
oil, for it burned fiercely, 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.
exc. saw there was still rope that
held this in its place, and down which
the girl might slide with safety.
was about to call to her when saw
an attendant Of the circus-evidently
an Italian-touch match to this rope
and the flame began its deadly work.
Apparently ! was the only one who
saw the act, and sprang forward to
seize the miscreant. but he disap.
peared like a snake in the crowd.
At that moment | heard deep
voice near me calling:
''Nita! Nita. Hold fast to your bar!
I, Maubikeck, will save you'll"
Turning, l saw the lion tanner at
the newly fired rope, and regardless
of burned hands he was trying to
extinguish the flames. l 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 it's way toward
the trapeze.
Hold this rope tight" shouted the
lion-tamer in my ear.
Instinctively l seized it, and in an
other moment the major was with me-
Together We pulled at the charred
rope, while Maubikeck climbed up
ward, extinguishing the flames as he
progressed.
Suddenly 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
| of the crowd l heard his voice.
"Nita," he cried. Mia! Leap
into my arms: Do not hesitate:
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 Nitas courage
GUS leap, came cry from the crowd
''Maligni's shot,! 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
few minutes Maubikeck had de-
seconded with his half-fainting burden.
and his bruised hands held her ten
derby, while 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. am going to see what
| has happened to the Italian"
Can I be of any help?" 1 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.
Maligni will not interfere tonight"
Motionirg 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 us ind her enemies. -
Keeping the knowledge OF what
| had seen-the Italian firing the rope
| for future divulgecce, 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
| tenGanr, but more particularly, l
| learned later, as a sort Of keeper or
watchdog for Maligni. Upon this
| woman's face there was look OF
| angry protest. as il she had held forth
! against the departure of Nita with
| Maub;keck and myself. But the girl
| came forward and was met BY the
| lion-taner. who placed her hand on
| his arm and led her through a private
| hall and exit to the street. l had
hesitated about accompanying them,
but Maubikeck had repeated his re-
| quest that should assist him, If pos
sible. to unravel the mystery OF the
| Iaurderous animosity with which the
girl was surrounded
When Maubikeck spoke Nita turned
| turned toward me and said
You are the gentleman who as.
sisted in saving my life. thank
! you, sir, for the great kindness. Sure
| ", am in some persons way, and
! ,,xlncc tho L. dirnorornl