The Lamar register., 1903-01-14


eze. and as the girl passed him, l 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. l glanced at
the majors face. 1t 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 the trapeze to the
bars and back again. Then she hung
head downward anu swung to and fro
on the flying trapeze.
Suddenly there was a 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 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.
l had left my seat and had drawn
nearer to the ground inside the trap
eze. ! saw there was still a rope that
held this in its place, and down which
the girl might slide with safety. l
was. about to call to her when l saw
an attendant of the circus-evidently
an Italian-touch a match to this rope
and the flame began its deadly work.
Apparently l 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 l heard deep
voice near me calling:
"Nita! Nita! Hold fast to your bari
l. Maubikeck. will save you!"
Turning, saw the lion tanner at
the newly fired rope, and regardless
of burned hands he was trying to
extinguish the flames. | 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 flame, 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 1t. 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 heard his voice.
'Nita!" he cried. "Nita! Leap
into my arms! Do not hesitate! l
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 SPADE. His out
stretched hands seized her and held
her safe.
simultaneously with Nita's 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
a few minutes Maubikeck had de-
scended with his half-fainting burden,
and his bruised hands held her ten
derly, 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
ion-tamer. / 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"
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"
Motioning for me to follow, the lion
tanner led her away, and l 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,
1--WE will go to her hotel. l am not
accustomed to New York. You may
be able to help us find her enemies"
Keeping the knowledge OF what
had seen-the Italian firing the rope
for future divulgence, I stood with
Maubikeck, awaiting the appearance