El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-03-08
Useless Heroisn1
A short story.

~ arm and nobody knew anything
4 about the accident which robbed
him OF the other. His explanations
had often been contradictory. and it
was easy to see that he wanted TO
hide the truth 1t must be admitted
that he had his reasons.
It happened three years ago. Ger
vii was at that time very much in
love Her name was SOIange: and she
had beautiful hands, a magnificent
figure, golden hair and eyes as blue
as the sky.
In the hope Of pleasing his loved one
CerYn HAD from time to time, played
the part Of different characters, all
very much in contrast with his own
real character He, who was at heart
sentimental and melancholy. had pre-
tended to be jolly and lively. because
she loved to laugh For six months
ne had played this part. Transforming
himself into a Yeritable clown with the
nope Of winning her heart. Suddenly
he discovered that she admired courage
above all other manly virtues, and es-
peclally courage of the notorious kind.
Now Cervil was anything but a hero
On the contrary he was nervous and
tlmid, afraid at times even Of his
own shadow His timidity had pre-
vented him from taking part in any
youthful sports and he had never had
a fight with any other boy. Boxing
sports He would do anything in the
world to avoid 4 quarrel, and as soon
as there was the slightest sign Of a
dispute he invariably sneaked away.
But the miracle. happened! To please
SolanSe, Cervil suddenly became brave.
He took lessons IN fencing. provoked
Quarrels whenever he had chance,
and in six weeks he fought three dueIs
and escaped without as much as a
scratch.
After that his reputation was made
He was known as a daredevil a fell
low who was afraid of nothing, but
to whom any danger had a strange
Some time later Cervn performed
two more heroic feats. He stopped a
runaway horse at the risk Of his own
life. and saved three people at a
fire.
The newspapers were fun Of praise
for him and one published his portrait.
He received a medal for herOism. So
LANCE said nothing. though he would
rather have had one word Of praise
from her lips than all the medals IN
the world.
One night they were walking to-
gether at the county fair and SOlange
stopped in front Of a tent on which
was written in flaming letters:
''MarzOuck and His FerOcious Fe-
lines
On the platform outside, a man was
addressing the crowd.
Come on, come on, ladies and gents.
You'll have to hurry if you don't want
to miss seeing the famous MarzOuck
with his tigers. panthers, 1eOpards and
his lion Sultan. the terrible Sultan"
Let us 90 in" said Solange-
He followed her submissiYely, anx-
iOus to fulfil her slightest wish The
performance was almost over The ter
Fible Sultan had just entered the cage
where MarzOuck was waiting for it
Cervil looked at Solange. She was
pale, strangely pale, and her eyes
were fixed on the lion tanner with an
expression Of intense admiration that
he had never seen in them before.
Sultan performed many tricks with
out the slightest sign of diSObedience.
There is not a bit Of spirit in that
lion, said CerviL 1T is as tame as a
She smiled contemptuOusly and said:
I know you are. considered a brave
man. but doubt If you would care
to enter that cage"
He shrugged his soldiers
why don't you do it then, she cried II
dare you to do It"
CervI said nothing. He was think
ing She had dared him. Well. he
accepted His resolution was made. He
would enter the lions cage.
Two days later there was a great
sign outside the show tent
Tonight at g OcIOcki Extraordinary
attraction
IAN amateur whose name we are not
permitted to make known. but whose
initials are NJ P. c., will enter the
terrible Sultan's cage alone. armed
only with {. cane Numerous bets have
been made"
That night every seat was sold at
double price. The tent was crowded
In front. very near the cage. and
nervous. SOlange was sitting
Suddenly there was cry;
There he is 1t is he"
Cervil entered. a little pale. but
smiling. He was dressed in light suit
and carried a slender cane
A roar shook the tent It was
long time since Sultan had rOared like
that Cervn grew visiDly paler but
SOlange could not help loving him
after this proof Of his courage, sus-
tained him
Standing mOtionless. he suddenly
found bimself face to face with the
king Of beasts. Both looked long at
each other equally surprised. Evil
IDENTIFY Sultan intended to b. on his
best behavior. He went closer TO MS
visitor. rose on his hind legs and placed
his paw on CerviIs shoulder. It's weight
bore him down
A cry of terror rent the air. but Sui
tan did not move. The lion kent star
ing at its victim whose shoulder was
bruised and bleeding LOOKING
steadily at the lion Cervil arose,
walked backwards towards the door.
passed into the next cage. and closed
the door behind him He was safe
ct was right" he said That lion
is quite tame and harmless"
But the words had hardly left his
lips when he tainted. He was taken
to the hospital. and a week later Il
proved necessary 70 amputate his LETT
arm
In the meantime SOlange ran away
with MarzOuck. whom she later de-
serted for a boxing champion