The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-10-02

whispering sound of the silken mask,
as it struck the plank floor of the
cage, was distinctly audible
Grace" Gregory whispered in hor-
ror-"it's Franz"
Grace started from his embrace at
the name and glared down upon the
stage. She sat erect, unsupported,
petritied.
Gregorys brow was mostened with
chilled dew It's Fran" he mum
bled. its Fran! Grace-pray for her!
Fran looked Samson steadily in the
eyes, and Samson glared back fxedly.
For a few moments, this culver be
tween life and death remained at the
breaking point. Had a stranger at
that moment looked under the tent
entrance, he might have thought every
body asleep. There was neither sound
nor movement
Grace whispered-"It is the hand of
Cod"
Her tone was almost inaudible, but
Gregory shrank as from mortal
blow; its sinister meaning was unmis-
taxable Swiftly he turned to stare at
her.
In Grace's eyes was a wild and ON
nous glare akin to that of the threat
ening lion. 1t was a savage conviction
that Fran was at last confronted by
the justice OF heaven.
Suddenly Fran crouched forward till
her head was almost on a level with
her waist, in so much that it was a
physical exertion to hold her face up
lifted. In this sinuous position she
was the embodiment of power. If she
felt misgivings concerning this last
, resource, there was no look to betray
it. 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 fel, 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
som" she cried. impellingly
Again he seemed to feel the lash
upon his tawny skin.
Samson. Up, Samson, up, Samson
up!
Suddenly Samson wheeled about
and leaped upon the table.
Fran stamped her foot at the ether
lion. Go to your place. Hercules!'
she cried, with something like con
tempt.
Hercules slowly rose. stretched him
self. then marched to his box He
looked from Fran to the immovable
Samson waiting upon the table, then
mounted to his place, and seemed &c
fall asleep.
And now, at last Fran looked al the
spectators. Stepping lightly to the
bars, she threw kisses this way and
that smiling radiantly. oh" she
! cried with vibrating earnestness
you people out there-you can't think
how l love you! You've saved my life
You are perfect heroes. Now make all
the noise you please"
"&lay We rnove?" called a cautious
voice from a few feet away II was
Abbott Ashton. with eyes like stars.
Fran looked at him, wondering al
his thoughts. She answered by an up
/ ward movement of her hand.
AS though by carefully rehearseC
arrangement, the audience rose 10 its
/ feet, band boys and all Such shout.
/ Such waving of hats and handker
chiefs! Such unabashed sobs, Sucl
inarticulateness-su graspings OF
neighboring hands, The spectators
had gone mad with joyful relief
Fran ieaped upon the table, anC
mounted Samson.
Now, I'm a rough rider" she
shouted, burying her hands in the
name, and lying along the lions bach
in true cowboy fashion. She plunged
she shouted loudly, but Samson onl,
closed his eyes and seemed to sleep.
After that, making the lions return
10 their cramped side cages was {
mere detail The show was ended.
Fran. remaining in the empty cage
stood at the front, projecting her name
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 Clintons hand
and pointed toward the tentroof
There they are!"