The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-12-24
-Nerr,nCoI

Wnose Qufverfng vitality communi-
Gated electric thrills. Even the clowns
moved less like treadmill horses, az
they took their stations at the smaller
cages. waiting to lift the gates that
would admit the restless lions into the
central cage.
The form that had appeared-one
knew not whence--was that of a slight
woman. dressed In a short skirt of
blue. and bodice Of white satin. The
trimmings which ran In all directions,
were rich In pendants OF gold and
rubies. Above all. there was the al
Turing mystery Of q crimson mask
which effectually hid the woman's
face.
Simon whispered into Abbott's al.
ways unready ear: That isn't La
3oniastt. Wonder what this means :?
Ia Gonizetti Is much moro OF q wom-
An than this one. and she doesn't wear
a mask. or much OF anything else. La
}onizetti doesn't care who sees her.
Why. this 10 nothing but mcre-J
cell you now. II she aint on to her fob.
mean to have my money back" ST.
non glowered.
Abbott stared In great perplexity.
Then who Is shee" he exclaimed. "Si.
Inon-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.
sfrrs clangy-tin-panny-whangdoodle
but that's all 1 recognize" ~
Abbott wondered that Simon failed
70 notice the similarity between the
ehow-giris movements and those of
iran. This woman had Fran's form.
TO be sure the voice was entirely dif.
fsrent. but the rapidlty and decisive
ness OF action. and the air OF authority,
we're Fran's very own. However. the
show-girl's hands were as dark az an
i:alian's. while Fran's were-well, not
% dark. at any rate. RI.
Abbotts brow did not relax. He
stood motionless, staring at every.
ming before him with painful intent
esH.
Up ncSr the roof. Gregory and
race scarcely observed The entrance
tho hon-tamer Secured from
spial. absorbed IN each 'nthcr. they
we're able. thanks 10 the surrounding
olamor Of voices. to discuss their fu.
ture plans with some degree OF conf.
dence.
Simon told Abbott-"Anyway. no
amateur would rub up against those
beasts. 30 guess It's all right. They
sin't but two lions; bill says ten:
nan that wrote the bill was the other
eight. reckon"
The show-girl was fastened In the
cintral cage. The clowns raised the
irner doors. arrd the lions shot from
heir cramped quarters swift as tawny
Arrows. They were almost against
tie slight ngure. without seeming to
observe her. For the fourth time since
noon they stood erect. smiling the air,
their bodies unconflred by CALLING tim.
h'rs and chilling iron. For the fourth
tme this day. they were to be put
through their tricks by force OF fear.
1aey hated these tricks. as they hated
q. toe umail cages In which they could
not lash their tails. They hated the
haby carriage" In which one was
PRESENTLY to sit. while the other
plshed him over tho floor, his sullen
mueBty sport for the rabble. They
lated the board upon which they must
sersaw. while the woman stood I'm the
middle. preserving equilibrium.
'ut greater than the lions hatred.
VS. their fear OF the woman: and
srrater than their Scar OF her was
~ ir terror OF that long serpent which.
40 matter how far IL might dart
tlIough space, remained always In the
"oman's hand. They we'll knew it's
Tenomous bite. and as they skunk from
side to side. their eyes were upon
itS coiling black tongue.
Il met Fran on the street." mur-
INJURED Abbott. an he watched, unblink-
ingly. "She said she was going to
visit sick friend. When did you see
Fran last, SimonY
Don't know" simon said, discour-
agingly. "Now they're going to see
saw. The blackmaned ono Ia the
hardest to manage. reckon. one day.
he'll Just naturally lump afoul OF her.
and tear her to pieces. Look at him!
i don't believe this girl is going TO
make him get up on top OF that board.
MY! how he is showing his teeth at
her. Say! This is pretty good
show. hey? Glad you came. uh? Say,
Look at his teeth!"
In truth. the black.maned lion
opened his mouth TO q frightful extent.
making. however, not the slightest
sound. He refused to bulge.
Abbott shuddered.
Samson" cried tho woman. i'm.
pellingly. The other lion was patient
ly standing on his end OF the board.
waiting. He seemed fast asleep Sam.
son. however. wea wide awake and
every cruel 'or vaB exposed as he
stretchtd his mouth. In his amber
eyes wa tu. rI... r. molten copper