The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1906-09-20

were hurrying to his aid, but they en-
countered totally unforeseen obsta.
Gle. Fascinated by the mans awfu.
danger. the crowd had packed them
selves around the cage in such dense
mass that the rescuers found 1t an
impossible task to 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 being enacted be
fore them.
A Cry of dismay rang from Sidonia's
lips in an agony of grief she turned
to the faithful Otto, who was stand
ing few PAGES away.
otto, save him." she cried
And why should II" was the fierce
reply. He is my enemy. Had he
not come between us with his treach-
cry and deceit you would love me
still"
"Otto!" she pleaded, sinking to her
knees while the tears streamed down
her face, save him for my sake.
Quick or it will be too late"
The stern look faded from the eyes
as 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 ruthless
Indifference to the heads and shout
1l,. sn1, t.. Il to, In
thirty seconds had won his way to
the cage. He was not moment too
soon Francesca was down and the
bear was tearing furiously at his
shoulder when he flung himself be-
| tween them
And now commenced mighty
struggle over the body Of the uncon-
scious man. The bears fury was
doubled at finding himself confronted
by an 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 first encounter
and the bear retreated sullenly. Otto
grasped the insensible man and
|
cage, but before he reached it the
grizzly attacked him with renewed
ferocity. Four times the angry beast
tore francesca from his grasp and
four times the man beat him back
from his prey.
At length when he had almost
gained the door and escape seemed
| a rapnUara6
senses and dragged himself weakly to
his feet. He bestowed single glance
upon the struggling pair before him;
then he turned and slipping from the
cage slammed the door behind him.
The door was equipped with spring
lock and the man who had risked his
life to save him was a prisoner with
the bear
His club was broken off short and
he was bleeding from dozen wounds,
but he still presented an undaunted
front to his brute antagonist. But the
limit of his powers was finally reached
and he sank to the floor.
Sidonia's Shrek rang above the
cries of the people, and she was about
to close her eyes to the awful spec
tacle, when suddenly long pole was
thrust between the bear and his vic
tim; then another and another, and
with gasp of relief she realized that
the long delayed help had arrived al
last.
When she had in measure recov
cred her composure she arose and
slowly made her way through the ex
cited crowd. There was but one
thought in her mind and that was OF
atonement. Then the face of Fran
cesco appeared in the crowd in front
of her; face that was bloody from
the rought handling of angry men
But she gave no sign of recognition
Her dream was over and she coulc
never regard him with friendly eyes
J again.
Then the face of Otto appeared
bloody also, but with wounds received
in another's defense. Their eyes me
! and in hers was look that asked for
giveness. His answering look TOLD
} her that ii was granted.
: Copyright, 1906 by Daily Story Pub. Co.
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