The Detroit times., 1913-01-07
By
John
Breckenridge
Ellis.

/
mass OF faces, shoulders, women's
hats. and babies held up for air
The seats faced an immense cage
which rose almost to the roof. AS yet.
II was empty, but smaller adjoining
cages promised an animated arena
when the signal should be given.
Gregory and Grace Noir had sought
refuge on the highest seat, where they
might overlook the crowd; here, with
| heads bent forward as IL to avoid the
canvas. they hoped to escape observa-
ton. Thanks to the influx OF country
folk. Littleburg citizens were rarely
TO be seen at such shows until later
and more fashionable hour. Gregory
was relieved TO find his topmost plank
filed with strangers.
"All goes WELL" he said pressing
Grace's hand. Nobody will find out
/ that we have been in here"
Watch for Mr.. Clinton" Grace
counseled cautiously. IF he comes in,
stoop lower"
They're all strangers, Grace. Prov.
! idence is with us-there's Simon JEFF
fersonl" He was too amazed to think
Of concealment.
Hush! Yes-and Abbott Ashton"
Gregory pulled his hat over his
eyes.
Into the tent streamed a fresh body
OF sight-seers. Simon, swinging to the
rope that was stretched In front of the
| big cage, grumbled at being elbowed
by weary mothers and broad-chested
! farmers. He told Abbott, The lions
are the only ones that have plenty OF
room | wish there was a cage for
me. But it's worth being damned to
see la Gonizetti-she's pretty as
they're made and she's pretty all over,
and she don't care who knows 1t. Now
the first half is about to begin, but
it's just bears and clowns don't get
fooled. though, La Confetti will come
later, o. K"
The band entered and squatted upon
blue boxes In one corner. Snowy red
coats were removed in Difference TO
sweltering heat. and melody presided
In undress. Three bears, two clowns
and a bicycle sharpened interest in
what was TO come, whetting the mind
upon jokes blunter than the intelli-
gence OF the audience. Even the band
ceased playing though that had not
seemed possible; its depressing
andantinos had not only subdued the
bears, rendering them as harmless as
kittens. but had mournfully depressed
the audience
Into this atmosphere OF tanned inert
ness, suddenly flashed a little figure
whose quivering vitality communicate
cd electric thrills. Tven the clowns
moved less like treadmill horses, as
they took their stations at the smaller
cages, waiting TO lift the gates that
would admit the restless lions into tne
central cage.
The form that had appeared-one
knew not whence-was that OF a
slight woman, dressed In q short silk
skirt OF blue, and bodice OF white
satin The trimmings which ran In
all directions, were rich In pendents
OF gold and rubies. Above ALL there
was the alluring mystery OF crimson
mask which eventually hid the wo-
mans face.
Simon whispered into Abbott's al
ways unready ear. That isn't La Con-
izetti Wonder what this means? La
Confetti Is much more OF a woman
than this one, and she doesn't Wear
mask, or much OF anything else. La
Confetti doesn't care who sees her.
Why, this is nothing but a mere-I
tell you now, IL she amt on to her job,
mean TO have my money back.
Simon glowered.
Abbott stared in great perplexity.
Then who Is she?" he exclaimed.
"Simon--doesn't she remind you Of
of some one we know"
Nav. She's got on La Gonizetti's
dress, and her voice has the show
girls gy-tin-panny- whangdoodle,
but that's all | recognize"
Abbott wondered that Simon failed
to notice the similarity between the
show-girl's movements and those or
Fran. This woman had Fran's form.
To be sure the voice was entirely dif.
ferent. but the rapiGity and decisive
ness OF action, and the air OF author
ity, were Fran's very own. However,
the show-girl's hands were as dark as
an Italians. while Fran's were-well,
not so dark, at any rate.
Abbotts brow did not relax. He
stood motionless, staring at every
thing before him with painful intent
ness.
Up near the roof, Gregory and Grace
scarcely observed the entrance of tho
lion-tamer. Secured from espial, alb
sorbed in each other, they were able,
thanks to the surrounding clamor OF
voices, TO discuss their future plans
with some degree OF confidence.
Simon told Abbott-"Anyway, no
amateur would rub up against those
beasts, so | guess it's all right. They
amt but two lions; bill says ten; man
that wrote the bill was the other eight,
reckon"
The shOw-giTf was fastened in the
central cage The clowns raised the
inner doors, and the lions shot from
their cramped quarters swift as tawny
arrows They were almost against the
slight figure, without seeming to OBJ
serve her. For the fourth time since
noon they stood erect. smiling the air,
their bodies unconhned by CALLING
timbers and chilling iron. For the
fourth time this day, they were to be
put through their tricks by force OF
fear. They hated these tricks, as they
hated the small cages in which they
could not lash their tails. They hated
the baby carriage" in which one was
presently to sit, while the other push
ed him over the floor, his sullen majes-
~ sport for the rabble. They hated
the board upon which they must see
saw. while the woman stood in the
middle. preserving equilibrium.
(ContinuedD
THIS MERGHtNFR RIMS FOR