The Forrest City times., 1911-08-25

contact with her. yelvety something brushed curiously across his face. and then suddenly dropped to his waist their waists-and the two were lifted high in the air to be placed gently on the back of the elephant
 The girl gave a 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 strug- sling crowd. and away from the tiger. Hello. Whats happening"
 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 a moment the two upon the beasts back found themselves under the starry sky. Save for skurrying circus man. here and there, the stretch of green about the tents was deserted.
 The girl still 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.
 Q. I-I am so frightened" gasped the damsel. Her hands convulsiyely 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 a solitary rider, he would have slid to the ground. but now he was pleasantly impressed with the 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 us"
 Suddenly the beast plunged off the moon-lit road and into lane, slowing up and stopping as it came to tall ] rose to investigate the lower branches, and then, with despairing squeal. a 1 long-tailed spider monkey was brought l from a sheltering clump of leaves. and l passed carefully back and into the very hands of Erickson.
 The lawyer laughed
 70, 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 I don't know. It 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 trunk around and placed her passen. gers. one at a time. on the ground Then the same impressable organ re. lieyed Erickson of his chattering charge, and without waiting for her escort the elephant ambled on. turning a quizzical eye to her late riders as she did so,
 It developed that the tiger was still a captive The panic had been started by some mischief maker, but the rush. ing. serambling 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
 Well. said the girl, flushing as she turned to Erickson. T am sure that l shall never care tO see another circus. 9
 .I 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.
 "nasmueh as 1t will be useless to attempt to find your escort. l must in sist upon seeing you safely to your home"
 You don't have to-to insist" an. swered Helen Landen. softly.