The Marshall republican., 1906-11-30


shrugged his shoulders d%IsdaiDfulIy.
I'd rather face Bruin at any time
than that fellow" he said with a
srImace. He Is 30 furiously jealous
" me that ! would not trust myself
IN his power for a single instant"
You wrong him!" she cried. her
dark eyes flashing. otto 10 as brave
and noble "a he is strong"
He regarded her fxedIy for a mo
ment and seemed to be on the point
" replying aDgriIy. but at that In.
slant the bugle sounded for Sidonia's
appearance In the main tent. With n
wave OF her hand I'm his direction, she
leaped on her horse and gallopcd into
The ring.
The tumultuous applause OF the
crowd drove all forebodings from her
mind and never did she ride more
iarIngly. Cheer after cheer attended
her performance and she was like a
pleased child when she returned TO
he dressing tent. II was pot until
she saw the huge cage being hauled
into the ring that her misgivings re-
turned, and she fastened TO take up
a position where she could observe
everything that took place.
The audience was largely composed
" rough miners from the coal fields.
and, when the cage was run In they
rushed from their seats and swarmed
around II. IL was the last act on the
program. and as the manager feared
that there would be trouble II he tried
10 drive them back. he decided not to
interfere.
So denscly were they packed that
francesca experienced considerable
difficulty In forcing his way through
them. The crowding OF the people
seemed TO have q bad effect upon
Bruins temper. and he growied vic
lously when the trainer entered. Tho
latter was perfectly cool and started
toward him whip In hand. but his
shoes. muddy from the trampled
ring. proved his undoing. A. the first
step he slipped and fell heavily To the
floor.
The sight Of the trainer helpless be-.
fore him aroused all the ~ferocity OF
the bears nature. and with n furious
growl he rushed at the PROSTATE man.
Hut Francesca vas accustomed Ia
danger and no did not lose his pres.
ence Of mind for an instant. Agile as
n cat. he was upon his feet before the
rushing fury reached him. and slash.
Ing fiercely with his whip. he lodged
swiftly about the ring before his
clumsy antagonist. IL was plain.
however. that II would be only a mat.
ter OF time until he was exhausted.
and his only hopo lay Ia tho assist.
ants who were swarming to his res.
cue.
A dozen men armed with long poles
were hurrying 20 his aid. but they on.
countered a totally unforeseen obsta.
Gle. Fascinated by the mans awful
danger. the crowd had packed them.
selves around the cage In such a dense
mass that the rescuers found Il an
impossible task 10 force their way
through them. Shouts and curses
were OF no avail. The people were
blind and deaf To everything but the
tragedy that was boing enacted be-
fore them.
A cry OF dismay rang from Sidonia's
lips. an an agony OF grief sho turned
10 the faithful Otto. who was stand.
Ing a few PAGES away.
Otto. w him!" she cried.
And why should ~" was tho fierce
reply. tie In my enomy. Had he
not come between US with his tresch.
cry and deceit you would love mo
still"
"otto!" she pleaded. sinking TO her
knees while the tears streamed down
her face. save him for my sake.
Quick or II win be too late"
The stern look faded from the eyes
a. he looked down upon her. He
raised her TO her feet and without an
other word set about the task which
she had assigned him.
Tearing a club from the hands OF
one OF the assistants. he plunged Into
the crowd like an avalanche. He
welded his weapon with a ruthless
Indifference TO the heads and shout.
ders which came In his way. and In
thirty seconds had won his way TO
the cage. He was not y moment too
soon. Francesca was down and the
bear was tearing ~furiously. at his
shoulder when he iiung himself be-
tween them.
And now commenced a mighty
struggle over the body OF the uncon'
scious a The bears fury vas
doubled at finding himself confronted
by nm opponent who. instead OF dodg-
Ing and running away. stood up and
buffeted him with awful blows that
stunned and blinded him. The man
was irresistible In the frst encounter
and tho bear retreated snllenly. Otto
erasped the insensible man and
dragged him toward the door Of tho
cage. but before he reached Il the
griRxly attacked him with renewed
ferOcity. Four times tho angry beast