The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-06-16

contact with her, u velvety something
brushed curiously across his face. and
then suddenly dropped to his waist
their waists--aEd the two were lifted
high in the air to be placed gently on
the back of the elephant
The girl gave frightened half
scream. and her little hands convul-
sively clutched the arm of her COM
panion.
| "What-wha-what is it?" she gasped
| Erickson thrilled at her touch.
Don't be frightened" he said. THE
big elephant has picked us up, and,
for some reason. placed us on her
back Just at present 1T is the safest
place in the tent. We are out Of the
struggling crowd, and away from the
tiger. Hello! What's happenings"
The elephant was beginning to
move Slowly, cumbersomely. like the
heavy body that it was, the great
mass of flesh began to get under way.
and in moment the two upon The
beasts back found themselves under
the starry sky. Save for scurrying
circus man. here and there. the
stretch of green about the tents was
deserted
The girl kept tight hold of the
exultant youth, although the broad
back and gentle motion of the now
rapidly moving Bess were not calcu.
| lated to precipitate fall.
20, IL am so frightened" gasped
the damsel. Her hands convulsively
gripped the youths arm. Erickson was
not frightened. He was hilariously
happy.
From behind them came hoarse
shouts. and the elephant, hearing,
quickened his pace. Had Erickson
been solitary rider, he would have
slid to the ground. but now he was
pleasantly impressed with sense OF
guardianship.
keep up your nerve" came from
the young attorney. The elephant is
running away with us, but he is not
dangerous. We are safe enough. The
Keepers and circus men are trying to
catch u.s."
Suddenly the beast plunged off the
moon-lit road and into lane, slowing
up and stopping as it came to tall
tree. The sensitive trunk cautiously
rose to investigate the lower branches,
and then. with a despairing squeal, a
long-tailed spider-monkey was brought
from a. sheltering clump of leaves, and
passed carefully back and into the
very hands of Erickson.
The lawyer laughed
20, how sweet" ventured the girl,
her fear suddenly gone. And how do
you suppose the elephant knew he
was in this tree?"
I'm sure don't know. 1t seems to
have been her sole errand for she is
now going back"
Sure enough, the great beast was
now retracing her footsteps.
In a few minutes she had come to
the pack that had been following her
With the sang froid Of calculating
human, the animal reached a careful
trunk around and placed her passen-
gers, one at time. on the ground
Then the same impressable organ re-
lieved Erickson of his chattering
charge, and without waiting for her
escort the elephant ambled on, turn.
ing a quiZzical eye to her late riders
as she did so.
1t developed that the tiger was sill
captive. The panic had been started
by some mischief maker, but the rush.
ing, scrambling crowd had alarmed
the animals, and the monkey cage had
been overturned by the crazy exit OF
the masses. The little simian rescued
. by the big pachyderm had been an es.
pecial pet of the trainer having Bess
in charge. How she knew the monkey
was hidden in the tree, no one knew.
We'll" said the girl. flushing as she
turned to Erickson. Il am sure that
shah never care to see another cir.
Gus"
Il shall always have a friendly feel.
ing for them" answered the youth
meaningly. and the flush on the girls
cheeks deepened to an alarming red.
''lnasmuch as it will be useless to
attempt to find your escort, must in.
sist upon seeing you safely to your
home"
You don't have toto insist" an.
swered Helen Landen. softly.