Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-12
WRITTEN FOR THE STAR BY HoNoRE wILLsIE
Copyright. 1905. By W. R. Caidwell

the tigers cage, while the barker stood
close to the bars, holding the pike stick be-
hind him with one hand while with the
other he fingered softly at something in his
coat pocket. Once in the cage, Agatha
stood quietly by the door. -
Down, Rea! Down." she said.
The tiger stood silently watching her,
with white fangs and scarlet tongue. Then
she half crouched and took step toward
the girl. q--
Down. Rea! Down" repeated Agatha.
The tiger was motionless, with yellow
eyes fixed on the blue ones; Don't use
the whip Aga that said tae barker.
BE quiet, John" answered Agatha
Down. Rea, you brute.''
The tiger advanced another heavy paw.
Agatha reached forward and cut her full
across the face with the whip. Rea drew
back and crouched.
The girl tapped one of the wall seats.
up. Rea" The cat threshed her tail
back and forth and stiu Crouched low with
eyes that never left Agatha,s face.
Up, Rea, Up. 1 say" Rea dashed the
cage with her tail
''Win you up, you brute?' Agatha
cracked the whip.
Still the animal eyed her with all the
savagery Of utmost hatred. The girl STOOD
silent with WHY raised to strike. while
brute eyes glared into human. Then, slowly
Agatha lowered her arm The animal was
Hate personified, now, to her eyes. Inc
ears drawn back the teeth laid bare, the
painting throat wide and the wicked eyes
that never left her own. For fully min
ute The girl and tiger eyed each other Sud
denly the girl swayed slightly and threw
up both her arms.
How they hate me- she screamed,
how they hate met
With her first movement the tiger sprang
but even quicker than the tiger was the
barker Without taking his hand from his
pocket he fired, then sprang to open the
cage door. A woman in the audience
screamed, Il told you they'd get her! Let
me out of this"
Then a boys voice rose above the
frightened roar. THAT tigerll be out In a
minuter' and before Freeman had reached
the barker and his helper, who bent over
Agatha, the tent was cleared.
I'm a DOCTOR he said, thrustlng the
barker aside with scaut ceremony. The
girl lay in the sawdust, painting, with eyes
wide open Her right arm. torn and bleed
ing lay across her breast. She looked up
into Freeman's face.
I've lost my nerve she said, I've lost
my nerve
The young man made no reply, but rapid
ly twisted a tourniquet, issuing orders to
the barker and his aid. which they obeyed
in silence. Agatha watched him with UNI
How they hate me, how they hate me!
how they hate met she murmured
Now" said Freeman. this Is a very Sc
rious wound. What are you going to do
The barker stared at him sulenly. 1T
ain t Up TO mel!
Where's her home or people," asked
Freeman.
Her family is dead" growled the man.
She's never told much. She's always been
blamed uppish and kept to herself, so now
she can shift for herself My business is
spoiled. anyhow, until l can get some one
else"
Freeman stood looking down at the girl,
now scaTlet-cheeked with delirium. The
great braid had loosened, and soft ten
drills Of hair touched her forehead.
I'll take charge of her ne said briefly.
The barker shifted and turned on his heel
The days that followed were days OF
sharp battle. DR.. Freemans little mother
fought side by side with her son until al
last one dawn. the blue eyes looked up
with intelligence.
Where am -" she whispered
AT the home of DR.. Freeman, in Gin
tonville," answered Mrs. Freeman. Now,
you mustn't talk"
Agatha turned her head weakly and look
ed out the open window. Halfaw Weakened
birds piped in the orchard. The last soft
dronlng of crickets resolved into the cheer
full whistle of quail. Long, slanting rays
of light disclosed a quiet valley, with har-
vest fields and oat stacks. with wood and