The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-04-06

y
was mingled gratitude. | glanced al
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 ant swung to and fro
on the flying trapeze.
Suddenly there was a smell OF
smoke, and streak of fame 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 1t burned fercely. 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 trapege.
had left my seat and had drawn
nearer to the ground inside the trap
eze. 1 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 a match to this rope
and the flame began its deadly work.
Apparently was the cnly one who
saw the act, and | sprang forward 10
seize the miscreant, but he disap-
Deared like snake in the crowd.
At that moment | heard a deep
voice near me calling:
"Nital Nital Hold fast to your bar!
|, 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.
gogether 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 its way toward
the trapeze
Hold this rope Tight" shouted the
lion-tamer in my ear.
lnstinctively | seized 1t. and in an.
other moment the major was with me-
Together we pulled at the charred
rope, while Maubikeek climbed up
ward, extirguishing the flames as he
progressed.
Suddenly a pistol shot rang out and
a cry of horror swept over the pant
ing, excited crowd. / 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.
'Nital" he cried. ''Nita! Lean
into my armsl Do not hesitatel /
can hold youl"
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 cry from the crowd.
"Maligni's saoti" 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
whore the wounded Snowman lay. In
a few minutes Maubikeck had de-
scerded 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,r said the
major "Dick, you stay and help the
| am going to see what
has happened to the Italian"
"Can | be Of any help?" | asked
who are you?" he asked in reply.
"Wilberton, Of the Lotus club" /
Come with us he said. perhaps
you may be able to help me solve this
nellish mystery. The girl is sur
rounded by enemies, who are trying
10 kill her Tie reason we do not
know, Come with us to her hotel.
Maligni will not interfere tonight"
Motioning for me to follow, the lion.
amer led her away, and / followed at
) respectful distance. He took her
irst to her dressing-room. where he
eft her in charge of an attendant.
Then he joined me.
When Nita is dressed" he said.
we will go to her hotel. am not
accustomed to New York. You may
)e able to help us find her enemies
Keeping the knowledge OF what
lad seen-the Italian firing the rope
for future diyulgence, stood with
daubikeck, awaiting the appearance
II the trapeze queen.
AS Nita came from her dressing
oom, she was accompanied BY an
lgly Italian woman. who acted prob
IDLY in the capacity Of maid and at
endant, but more particularly. |
earned later, as a sort of keeper or
for Maligni. IJnon this