Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-26
BY Jules Verne des voienes.

By Jules Verne des Voignes.
VIE canvases were wet and
sticky. A drenching downpour
early In the forenoon had out
them In that condition. Stream
era hung In little gummy balls,
and tapped back and forth with doleful
pretense OF hilarity when they were
coaxed into 1t by the fresh breeze.
Falnum sat on box southeast of the
dressing tent and thought Of Davidson.
Thare had been . good, deal OF friend
ship between the two men In one way or
another ever since tho short. pudgy good
natuTed "menagerte'' man had come into
the circus and 90 into Farnum's life. Da-
wilson had ruled the two magnificent
hons-the bills introduced them as the
Twin Hercules"-and ruled them as Far
mum had known no other man to do save
one. and that one had SO far outreached
FaTnum's life and remembrance that the
necessity Of filing Davidson's place, and
that too. quickly. failed to awaken the
recollection.
For Davidson was dead-had met his
end at the sudden bursting forth of the
savage instincts of the very beasts he had
hantered. and teased. and bent to his own
will. the while devils burned in their eyes
and fear dilatcd their nostrils. The Twins
loved few; and what love they could give
never wholly replaced nor subdued their
Unborn hate Of man and passion for the
XIII. Farnum believed this And II they
hated-well, this last was the only theory
ne could go upon in determining the cause
OF that gruesome scene when the keepers
dragged Davidson. mangled and bleed
ing. from the reach Of the Twins just be-
fore the performance in R0burne.
Cod! said Farnum aloud. and shiv-
hafOre
The streamers were slowly being beaten
into full length by the wind. Men stag
gered about reeking with sweat. trundling
tent paraphernalia here and there with
ager. coming Unexpectedly around the
dressing tent, ran full tilt into fellow
with huge stake on his shoulder. In
untangling himself he caught sight Of
Farnum.
What in thunder are we going to dog"
he growled. dropping his thin and wiry
length on the box.
Farnum Strengthened down his coat COL
lar and put his back In a more comfort
able position against a stake.
We'll: Davies gone, poor devil: he
soIIloe%ized softly .ay without looking up
That's what want to know. wired
McIntyre-hes the only fellow 1 could
think Of but no one knows whether he'll
come. or not: Likely not: he can't get
here before Thursday, anyway
1.-TWO nights" computed Farnum.
Enough to ruin U.s. grunted Stettiner.
1.-THE Twins are the biggest thing we've
got. It's all up II we don't find some.
body Get your head to work. can't your"
IA man can't think to order" objected
Farnum. rolling q cigarette. and studying
matters 81 know only one man who could
manage the Twins. and he'n-wel, he
"Nonsense why not? We've got to
III tell you he won't do It," repeated
FAfnum bluntly. He had exclusive con,
troll Of the Twins seven years ago. and
now he can light his cigar every day
with what you and I make" Farnum
leaned over and whispered In the others
ear.
timer. startled. "And you say he's done
A. ia seven years? No use then trying to
reach him IN the money line. Is there any
ether? Friendship"
..stuffr' vented Farnum. Doubtful II
: he'd look at me. No. won't say that-I
! don't know that I believe that But
friendship won't go In this case. don't
think anything-anything we could offer
would move the new James Yaple The
Yaple / knew would have done anything
for the Twins-the man simply idolized
them and the circus. too. I can remem-
Der myself how he hated to give them up.
Fact, he said to me when he went: Far
num. 1 hate to give this stuff up, but it's
the best thing for me. don't you think?
I've got my chance In the world now. and
ia be q fool for not taking tt -
ts..You don't believe it--in any way" per-
sisted Stettiner eagerly.
t"No DON'T was the hopeless answer.
's.t"whe whole affair could be kept quiet,
you know. And two nights
You're an idiot. Stettiner," Farnum
broke in with emphasis.
With this Farnum thought he, had given
him his final answer. but he had not
reckoned with the impulse Stettiners sug-
gestion had put into his head. nor even
with himself. What power had those
huge hulks Of Hon flesh over the million
aire James Yaple? What call did circus
smells and noises sound for a man seven
years beyond the domain Of the saw
dust world7 Nothing. thought Farnum,