Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-06
s.Merri, Company.

and 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; it's depressing an
dantinos 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 little figure
whose quivering vitality communicated
electric thrills. Even 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 the
central cage. ~ e.
The form that had appeared-one
knew not whence-was that Of a slight
woman, dressed in 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 al
Turing mystery of crimson mask
which effectually hid the woman's
face. ,Fa ... 80
Simon whispered into Abobtt's al
ways unready ear, THAT isn't La Con-
izetti. Wonder what this means? La
Confetti is much more Of woman
than this one, and she doesn't wear a
mask, or much Of anything else. La
Confetti doesn't care who sees her.
Why, this is nothing but mere--I tell
you now, II she Amt on to her job, I
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 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,
but that's all recognize
Abbott wondered that Simon failed
to notice the similarity between the
show-girls movements and those Of
Fran. This woman had Fran's form.
To be sure the voice was entirely diff
ferent, but the rapidity and decisive
ness Of action, and the air Of authority
were Fran's very own. However, the
show-girls hands were as dark as an
Italians, while Fran's were-well not
so dark, at any rate. .t..E
Abbott's brow did not relax. He
stood motionless, staring at everything
before him with painful intentness.
Up near the roof. Gregory and Grace
scarcely observed the entrance of the
lion tanner. Secured from - espial,
absorbed 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 I guess it's all right They
amt but two lions: bill says ten; man
that wrote the bill was the other eight,
I reckon"
The show-girl 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 unconflned 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 pushed
him over the floor. his sullen majesty
sport for the rable. They hated the
board upon which they must see.saw,
while the woman stood in the middle,
preserving equilibrium pr,
But greater than the lions hatred,
was their fear OF the woman; and
greater than their fear of her was
their terror of that long serpent which.
no matter how far 1t might dart
through space, remained always in the
woman's hand. They well knew it's
venomous bite. and as they skunk from
side to side. their eyes were upon it's
coiling black tongue.
II met Fran on the street." MUIR
INJURED Abbott, as he watched, unblink.
ingly. "She said she was going to
visit sick friend When did you see
Fran last Simon?" ...es
Don't know Simon said, discour-
agingly. Nov they're going to see
saw. The black-maned one is the
hardest to manage. I reckon, one day,
he'll just naturally jump afoul of her,
and tear her to pieces. Look at him.
don't believe this girl is going to
make him get up on top of that board.
Ny! how he is showing his teeth at
her. Say! This pretty good show.
hey? Glad you came, uh? Say! Look
at his teeth"
In truth, the black-maned lion
opened his mouth to a frightful ex-
tent making, however. not the slight
est sound. He refused to bulge.
Abbott shuddered
"Sampson.' cried the woman. i'm
pellingly. The other lion was patient.
" standing on his end Of the board,
waiting. He seemed fast asleep. Sam
son, however, was wide awake and
every cruel tooth was exposed as he
stretched his mouth. In his amber
eyes was the glow of molten copper.
Suddenly Samson wheeled about,
and made rush for his end of the
see-saw. He stepped upon it. He was
conquered. His haste to obey. evil
IDENTIFY the result Of fear and hatred,
produced q ripple Of laughter. The
other lion, feeling the sudden tremor
o@ SarnsoY's weight opened his ewes