Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-06-06

ILLUSTRATIONS ~
.O.WVN .NYEnS

1870 ~
, hand Boys: Don't b1ay. He can tsa
you're frightened"
The agitated music ceased.
Then tho woman walked to the Tar.
kherest side Of the ineissure. IN 10
ing - sAs vs. obliyel 70 pass the
cToueAiag form Of Hsspales. but she
pretended not to know he was there;
she moved SLOWLY beekward, always
facing Samson.
At last the vertical bass prsvented
farther retfeat Thsa che lifted her
hand slowly, stssdily, and arsw.e4 her
crimson masA. It AEsDped at her fest.
Despite the nen1ed strset-noises that
never ceased to rumble from afar, the
whispering SQUAD Of the silken mask,
az 1t struck. the plank moor Of the
cage, was distinctly audible.
"Graeei" Gregory whispered in nor
rer-"it's Fran!"
Grace started from his embrace at
the name and glsred down upon the
stage. She sat erect, unsupported.
petrihed.
0resory's brow was moistened with
Z chilled dew. ITS Fran" he mum
bled, ITS Fran! 0race-pray for her!"
Fran looked Samson steadily in the
eyes, and Samson glared back flxedly.
For q few moments, this CULVER be-
tween life and death remained at the
breaking point. Had a stranger at
that moment looked under the tent
entrance, he might have thought every
body asleep. There was neither sound
nor movement.
Grace whispered-It IL the hand OF
God!"
Her tone was almost inaudible, but
Gregory shrank as from mortal
blow; its sinister meaning was unmis.
taxable. Swiftly he turned TO- stare at
her.
In Grace's eyes was a wild and ON
inous glare akin to that Of the threat.
ening lion. 1t was savage conviction
that Fran was at last confronted by
the Justice Of heaven.
Suddenly Fran crouched forward till
her head was almost on 4 level with
her waist, in so mush that it was a
physical exertion to hold her face up
lifted. In this sinuous position she
was the embodiment Of power. II she
felt misgivings concerning this last
resource, there was no look to betray
it. Straight toward Samson she
rashed, her body 1.-THE aud serpentine.
her direction unerrtng.
To the beast. Fran had become one
Of thoee my1teTiousa Axing serpents
vhIeh bite HON 1iaf. He felt the
sting Of her terrible eyes and his gaze
grew shifty. 1t wandered away, and.
on returning. found her teeth barred.
as IL feeling for his heart.
Rushing up to his very face-"sam-
Fson!" she cried. impellingly.
Again he seemed to feel the lash
upon his tawny skin.
Samson. Up, Samson, up, Samson
up!
Suddenly Samson wheeled about,
and leaped upon the table.
Fran stamped her foot at the other
lion. go to your place, Hercules!"
she cried, with something like con.
tempt.
Hercules slowly rose. stretched him.
self. then marched to his box. He
looked from Fran to the immovable
Samson waiting upon the table, then
mounted to his place, and seemed to
fall asleep.
And now, at last, Fran looked at the
spectators. Stepping lightly to the
bars, she threw kisses this way and
that. smiling radiantly. "Oh!" she
cried, with vibrating earnestness,
you people out there-you can't think
how love you! You've saved my life.
You are perfect heroes. Now make all
the noise you please
May we mover" called a cautious
voice from few feet away. 1t was
Abbott Ashton, with eyes like stars.
Fran looked at him, wondering at
his thoughts. She answered by an up
ward movement Of her hand.
As though by carefully rehearsed
arrangement, the audience rose to its
feet, band boys and all. Such 4 shout!
Such waving Of hats and handker.
chiefs! Such unabashed sobs! Such
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. graspings of
ASAkuUOIAu6 uduOo: - 4 ne SPECTATORS
had gone mad with joyful relief.
Fran leaped upon the table, and
mounted Samson.
Nov. I'm . rough rider!" she
shouted, buryins her hands in the
mane. and lying along the lions back
In true cowboy fashion. She plunged,
she shouted loudly. but Samson only
closed his eyes and seemed to sleep.
After that. making the lions return
to their cramped side cages was .
mere detail. The show was ended.
Fran, remaining In the empty cage,
stood at the front. projecting her hand
through the bars to receive the greet.
ings Of the crowd. Almost every one
wanted to shake hands with her.
Look. look!" Simon Jefferson sud
denly grasped Robert Clinton's hand.
and pointed toward the tent.roos
There they are!"
Something very strange had hap
pened up there. but 1t was lost to
Clinton's keen Jealous sase-ons Of
those happenings In the soul. which,
however momentous, passes unob-
served in the midst Of the throns.
Not % fast!" Grace cautioned
Gregory. We must wait up here, till
the very laAt-don't yos ses Nj. Clin.
tnn Az ea-~. Ysak~-S> 49,