Putnam patriot., 1913-08-08

| lifted. In this sinuous position she was the embodiment of power. If she felt misgiyings concerning this last resource, there was no look to betray | 1t. Straight toward Samson she rushed. 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. It wandered away, and, on returning, found her teeth barred, as if feeling for his heart. Rushing up to his very face-"Sam- soni" she cried, impellingly. Again he seemed to feel the lash upon his tawny skin.
 Samson. Up Samson, up. Samson -upl
 Suddenly Samson wheeled about, and leaped upon the table. Fran stamped her foot at the other lion. GO to your place, Herculesl" she cried, with something like con | tempt.
 Hercules slowly rose. stretched him self, then marched to his box. He looked from Fran to the immovahla Samson waiting 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. "0h!" she cried with vibrating earnestness, you people out there-you can't think how love youl 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 It 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 carefully rehearsed arrangement, the audience rose to it's feet, band boys and all. Such shout! Such waving of hats and handker- chiefs! Such unabashed sobsl Such inarticulateness-su graspings of neighboring handsi The spectators had gone mad with joyful relief. Fran leaped upon the table, and mounted Samson.
 Now, I'm a rough rider!" 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 to sleep. 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. Look, look!" Simon Jefferson sud denly grasped Robert Clinton's hand, and pointed toward the tent-roof. There they are!"
 Something very strange had hap pened up there, but it was lost to Clintons 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 Gregory. We must wait up here till the very last-dont you see MT. Clin- ton? And Simon Jefferson is now pointing us out. We can't go down that way"
 "We!" Gregory harshly echoed. We! I have nothing to do with you, Grace Noir. Go to him, if you will"
 Grace turned ashen pale. What do you mean?" she stammered. You tell me to go to Mir. Ciinton?"
 'I tell you to go where you please. That girl wonder is my daughter, do you understand? Don't hold me backi I shall go to her and proclaim her as my child to the world. Do you hear me? That's my Fran!"
 Grace shrank back in the suspicion that Hamilton Gregory had gone mad like the rest of the crowd. Do you mean that you never want to see me again? Do you mean that you want me to marry MT Clinton?"
 q do not care what you do," he said, still more roughly.
 You do not care?" she stammered, bewildered What has happened? You do not care-for me?"
 She looked deep into his eyes, but found no incense burning there. The shrine was cold.
 "Mr Gregoryi And after all that has passed between us? After I have given you my-myself--"
 Gregory seized her arm, as if to hold her of. His eyes were burning dan. gerousiy: q saw murder in your heart while you were watching Fran" he whispered fercely. That's my daugh- ter, do you understand! l know you now, I know you now. :" He stumbled down the steps. pushing out of his way those who opposed his progress.
 Grace stared after him with blood less cheeks and smoldering eyes. Clearly, she decided. the sight of Fran's fearful danger had unbalanced his mind. But how could he care 70 much about that Franf And how could he leave her, knowing that Rob ert Clinton was beginning to climb upward w!,k eyes fastened upon her facei
 But it was not the sight of Fran's danger that had for ever alienated Gregory from Grace Noir. In an in- stant, she had stood revealed to him as an unloveIy monster. His sensitive nature. always lbnormally alive to out ward impressions, had thrilled re- sponsively to the exultation of the au- dience. He had endured the agony of suspense, he had shared the universal