The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1913-08-29
MILE. zOE'S TGRESS
BY WILL W. wHALEN.

Mile. Zoe had new lover, but what
Of that? Mile. Zoe had lover in ev-
cry town that the circus reached. 9th
or men less susceptible than Ralph
Patterson lost their hearts at sight o.
Nile, Zoe
Now the circus was at Montgomery,
But Ralph Patterson, being no laggard
in love, had followed Mile. Zoe there.
He sat now IN her dressing apart
ment, his eyes on her mobile face
"You ask me to marry you" she
ssid, sweeping her golden pompadour
from her white forehead. do you
realize what that means? There is
little virtue on the stage, there is less
in the circus.
"You are young to talk that way"
he argued
YES, am young" There was a
touch OF bitterness in her rich voice
But despite my years, a man had
as well marry my pet tigress. Lady
Belle, as me"
you can leave the circus"
Il had intended to do so before I
saw you. This is my last season as
lion-tamer. I intend to go on the
stage"
Marry me. and let me prove my
love-"
You must wait for your answer"
She glanced at her watch and arose
a. q sign OF dismissal. II must per.
form"
'Is there in this world today q man
whom / could love-a man worthy OF
. woman's lover"
Mile. Zoe moaned these words pit.
eouSly into the ear Of her pet hgress.
Fierce Lady Belle quailed before the
fierce IRE in the eyes OF her mis-
tress.
The circus had remained three days
ut Montgomery; now II was to leave.
Ralph Patterson was again in Mile.
ZOSs dressing apartment, pleading hts
love, and deyouring her beauty with
his liquid blue eyes.
II must tell you a story. Ralph" she
said. Seven years ago, in a coal
mine town, not far from here, there
lived a little girl, pretty with a moon
beam prettiness. She trusted every
one, because she was good. She trust |
ed one to her sorrow-a man. He |
wooed her with soft, innocent blue
eyes, like yours; he kissed her with |
frank lips, like yours; he caressed her
with strong hands, like yours. That
man left the little girl to- the mercies
OF the world, her name gone, her life
blasted. The world pointed the finger
Of scorB at her and shut its doors In
her face, while he held his head high
and cared for no man, he BY chance.
the little girl got some education; it
doesn't matter how; she became bril-
liant and was sought after even by
the one who had spoiled her life. The
turned into a sunbeam"
He attempted to rise, but a hand.
as soft and white as snowflake.
touched his wrist, and kept him to
his seat. Il was that little girl, Ralph
Patterson; you were that man. Take
educatiOn, bleachad hair and seven
years from Mile Zoe. and /
you have little Emma Stone. whom
you made an outeast"
His face lost fits look Of innocence;
guilt flushed IT from brow to chin. I
Your voice was as winning then
~ now. should love you, were your
past unknown to me. You love me at :
asst, but do not want such love, I
10 yours. There has been an invis4
lb1e cord binding Es together all these
years. Even the wounded insect I
may lame BY its sting the ono who, .
has hurt IT, You took from me all ,
hat made life worth the living; andi
'evenge Is written on my heart with, :
! pen Of iron, with the point Ola dla- {
nond."
She cast o glance upon him; like.
he glance Of q lioness that sees. her !
lrey within reach He kept his eyes 7
70 the ground. He heard a curtain
pulled aside. and heard something
Ipring near his feet. One lightning y
glance showed him an open cage, Mile. I
Zoe, whip in hand, and q sleek tigress- ;
erouching to spring. He was petri- :.
led In his chair. Then the beasts l
claws had rent his flesh. Il
IL
revenge, but now It was turned to,
ashes on her lips. All the woman in
her was aroused to action; the ten G
ierness of long ago came to life in her i,
bosom; her hardness melted. She
saw that Lady Belle had inflicted as. {
yet only scratches and a slight wound. Y
She dashed the beast from Patterson's
shoulders, screamed to him to fly. He
staggered to the opening in the can 9
Tas, and out into the air and sunlight, {
FALLING for help.
But Lady Belle had tasted blood;
10 fear could hold her in check now.
Her fangs met in Mile Zoe's slender /
hroat, her sharp cruel claws rent !,
he beautiful shoulders.
Mile Zoe's circus tour was ended. e
Copyright, by Daily Story Pub. Coz a
Method In His Madness.
DO you know that you paid that a
woman five cents to ride on this carr" !,