The Washington herald., 1913-05-18

she felt misgivingS concerning this last
resource, there was no look to betray
it. Straight toward Samson she rushed,
her body 1.-THE and serpentne, her di-
rection 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, as
If feeling for his heart.
Rushing up to his very face-"Sam-
son!" she cried, impellingly.
Again he seemed to feel the lash
upon his towny skin.
Samson. Up, Samson, up, Samson
-UPT
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
looked from Fran to the immovable
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. OBJ she cried
with vibrating earnestness, you peo-
pie 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 move" called a cautious
voice from a 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 a carefully rehearsed
arrangement, the audience rose to its
feet, band boys and ali. Such a shout.
Such waving of hats and handker-
chiefs! Such unabashed sobs! Such in
articulateness-such graspings OF neigh
boring hands! The spectators had gone
mad with joyful relief.
Fran leaped upon the table, and
mounted Samson.
Now, | am a Rough Riderl" she
shouted, burying 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 asleep.
After that, making the lions return
to their cramped side-cages was a 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. They
couldn't tell of their surprise over her
identity, of their admiration for her
courage, of their joy at her safety
They could do nothing but look into
here eyes, press her hand, then go into
the humdrum world in which are no
lions-and not many Frans.
Look, look~ Simon Jefferson sud
denly grasped Robert Clinton's hand
and pointed toward the tent-roof
There they are"
pened up there, but it was lost to
Clinton's keen jealous gaze-one OF
those happenings in the soul. which,
however momentous, passes unob-
served in the midst of the throng.
Not so fast~ Grace cautioned Greg
DRY. I'VE must wait up here till the
very last-don't you see Mr. Clinton
And Simon Jefferson is now pointing
US out. We can't go down that way
"Wer' Gregory harshly echoed
we! have nothing to do with YOU
Grace Noir. Go to him. if you will u
Grace turned ashen pale. What dc
you mean?' she stammered. You tell
me to go to Mr. Clinton?"
Il tell you to go where you please,
That girl yonder is my daughter, dc
you understand? Don't hold me back
| shall go to her and proclaim her as
my child to the world. Do you hear
That's my Fran"
Grace shrank back in the suspicion
that Hamilton Gregory had gone mad