Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-06
fed women. mingled. here and there
with unrestrained calculations OF dis

fed women. mingled, here and there
with unrestrained calculations OF dis
may.
Abbott Ashton, but few yards dis
tant, grasped the rope with bloodless
hands; he appeared as white statue,
seeming not even to breathe. In that
moment, Robert Clinton forgot the
jealous suspicion that had tortured his
heart since missing Grace Noir from
her desk.
Grace Noir, her eyes closed, her
cheeks pallid. leaned her head upon
Gregory's shoulder, quivering convul
sively.
There, there" Gregory whispered
In her ears, soothingly, everything
will be all right"
The masked woman for the second
time addressed the terrified audience,
still not venturing to turn her head In
their direction: Whoever moves, or
speaks, or cries aloud, will he my muir
derer. have only one hope left and
I'm going to try 1t now. ask you
people out there to give me Just this
one chance for my life Keep absolute.
ly STILL"
Again Samson uttered his terrible
roar. 1t alone was audible. Tier
above tier. faces rose to the tent roof,
) ute and set. The audience was like
one huge block of stone in which only
faces have been carved.
The penetrating voice addressed the
band boys: Don't play. He can tell
you're frightened.
The agitated music ceased.
Then the woman walked to the farth-
est side Of the inclosure. In doing
80 she was obliged to pass the crouch
ing form of Hercules, but she pretend
ed not to know he was there; she
moved slowly backward, always fac
ing Samson.
AT last the vertical bars prevented
farther retreat. Then she lifted her
hand slowly, steadily, and drew OF her
crimson mask. 1t dropped at her feet.
Despite the muffled street noises that
never ceased to rumble from afar, the
whispering sound of the silken mask,
as 1t struck the plank floor Of the cage,
was distinctly audible.
"Grace!" Gregory whispered in hor.
ror-"it's Franz"
Grace started from his embrace at
the name and glared down upon the
stage. She sat erect, unsupported.
petrified. ARISE
Gregorys brow was moistened with
a chilled dew "It's Fran" he mum
bled, cts Fran! Grace-pray for
her!"
Fran looked Samson steadily in the
eyes. and Samson glared back fixedly.
For a 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 is the hand OF
Cod" 81
Her tone was almost inaudible but
Gregory shrank as from a mortal blow:
it's sinister meaning was unmistak-
able. Swiftly he turned to stare at
her.
In fGrace's eyes was a wild and onn.,
nous glare akin to that Of the threat
ening lion. It was savage convics
ton that Fran was at last confronted
by the Justice Of heaven.
Suddenly Fran crouched forward till
her head was almost on a level with
her waist, insomuch that It was
physical exertjon 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 rush,
ed, her body 1.-THE and serpentine, her
direction unerring.
To the beast, Fran had become one
OF those mysterious flying serpents
which bite from afar. He felt the
sting OF her terrible eyes and his gaze
grew shifty. 1t wandered away, and,
on returning, found her teeth barred, 40
II feeling for his heart.
Rushing up to his very face-"Sam-
son!" she cried, impellingly.
Again he seemed to feel the lash up
on 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
6AHbOH W64LlH6 upOu luo Ldul0s FtHoH
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 cant think how
I love you! You've saved my life. You
are perfect heroes. Now make all the
noise you please"
MAY we mover" called cautious
voice from few feet distant. It waA
Abbott Ashton, with eyes like stars.
Fran looked at him, wondering af
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 Z shout!
Such waving Of hats and handker-
chiefs! Such unabashed sohs! Such
Observation-Disclosures grusping Of
neighboring hands! The spectators
had gone mad with joyful relief.
Cr~nw 1a~ &nh III 49,