The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-26

dropping his hand with a quick motion. The other animal had been aroused. and the pair of them crouched, glaring and flashing, rolling steel muscles under inno- cent coverings of soft, furry hide. Then Yaple began to talk to them in a low, patient voice. keeping his eyes full upon theirs as becomes a master and lord, soothing, coaxing, entreating, reminding, scolding, showing them that he had no fear, only love, trying to awaken the old affection that had been theirs and which they had only missed, not forgotten. It was a voice speaking across seven years of absence, and 1t was voice the like of which Stettiner had never known and of which Farnum had only a mem ory.
 Was there some change, some trans formation taking place in those brutal intellects? Was there softening or bloodshot eyes. a relaxing of those n- superable bodies? If not, then two men standing close behind were blind, and dead and without simple understanding. For Yaple had first put his hands on the bars; then touched the fury-sup- pressed animals themselves, and they had let him do 1t, half protesting. Still Yaple talked on, sometimes pleadingly, some times imperiously, slave and master, but master even when slave. And Farnum and Stettiner marveled and beheld it all without knowing when it had taken place or why-only that the Twins love had sprung up anew, as an old river cuts new channel, slowly at first with con- stanting eating and eating, then bursting forth in uncomfortable joy to sweep all before 1t.
 That's enough, man." said Stettiner hoarsely In Yaple's ear. 'You're won der. The Twins'll die for you any minute. They're yours, body and soul. and I don't understand how you did it!''
 Yaple wiped the sweat from his fore head and turned to them, smiling. Far mum noted the quiet fearlessness of the man Tn thus giving the Twins an oppor- tunity when his eyes should not be upon them. He discussed 1t with Stettiner aft erward, and their admiration and wonder grew apaoe.
 I have no objections" Yaple said to them. q may have forgotten some of the tricks we used to do together, you know"
 "Certainlyl" assented the manager, and strode off to see to the condition of the big steel cage in the arena.
 Revelations were impotent beside what Farnum and stettiner saw in that brief hours practice. To stettiaer 1t was the unmasking of a new and invincible per sonality; but to Farnum it meant simply a fresh grasp over the old, strengthened and directed by the knowledge and ex- pereince of seven years. Yaple had come into his own; his power had returned, not broken, not even marred, but height ened and irresistible. He handled the Twins as if he might have taken them in his hands and trounced them soundly but kindly for disobedience And through It all his face and theirs were studies of love between beast and man beyond whose true expression no artist could hope to attain.
 It was over at last. The crowds. the hands, the circus folk were gone. Yaple had come out of it strangely rested and triumphant, though the fever burned in his fingers when he shook hands with Farnum and said good night
 "You're a marvel. Yaple," said Far nun under his breath. I'm hot and cold by turns for fear you'll fail us to- morrow night
 'I'n be back" promised Yaple, bit brokenly "rr spend one more night; then it's got to end.' and, someway, those words revealed great deal to Farnum that he had never known be- fore.
 .T got this wire from the rascal Me Intyre." stettiner reported the next aft