The state herald., 1914-01-02

From behind the mask came the
voice 20 loud that 1t sounded as q
scream-"Up. Samson, up. Samson
up!"
Then It was that Samson found his
voice. A mighty roar shook the loose
ly-set bars Of the central cage-they
vibrated visibly. The roar did not
come as one short sharp note of de-
fiance: 1t rose and fell. then rose anew.
varying In the infections OF the voice
Of slave who dares to threaten. fears
passion from his fear.
At that fearful reverberation, the
audience started up. panic-stricKen.
Hitherto. the last act had been regard
ed as a badly-played comedy: now
tragedy was In the air.
Gregory and Grace Noir at that in
stant, became alive to their surround
ings. Hitherto. despising the show. re-
bellious at the destiny which had
forced them to attend 1t, they had
been wholly absorbed In their efforts
to escape observation. The roaring OF
the lion startled them to q perception
OF the general alarm.
Grace clung 10 Gregory. "Oh. save
mel" she painted hysterically.
The voice of the woman behind the
bars rang throughout the tent-"Si,
DOWN. The voice was not loud. now
but slngularly penetrating. "Sit down
all OF you. and remain absolutely mo
tionless, or ! am lost"
Grace Noir. her eyes closed. heI
cheeks pallid. leaned her head upon
Gregory's shoulder. auivering convul
stvely.
There. there." Gregory whispered
- her ear. soothinsly. everything
wm be all right"
The masked woman for the second
time addressed the terrified audience
still not venturing to turn her head Ia
their direction: Whoever moves, OF
speaks. or cries aloud. will be my mur
derer. ! have only one hope left. ant
I'm going to try II now. ask yor
people out there to give me Just thi,
one chance for my life. Keep absolute
ly still"
Again Samson uttered his terrible
roar. II alone was audible. Tier above
tier. faces rose to the tentroof. whit,
and set. The audience was like on,
huge block OF stone In which onl,
faces have been carved.
The penetrating voice addressed tn,
band boys: Don't play. lie can tel
you're frightened"
The agitated music ceased.
Then the woman walked to the far
therest side Of the inclosure. In do
ing so she was Obliged to pass tn,
crouching form OF Hercules. but sh,
she moved slowly backward. aIway,
facing Samson.
Al last the vertical bars prevented
farther retreat Then she lifted hci
hand slowly. steadily. and drew on he'
crimson mask II dropped at her feet
Despite the muiiied strcctnoises that
never ceased to rumble from Afar. the
whispering sound OF the rilken mask
as II struck the plank floor OF the
cage. was distinctly audible.
| "Grace!" Gregory whispered In hor
ror-''it's FRAN"
| Grace started from his embrace nj
the name and slared down upon the
stage. She aat erect. unsupported
petriiied.
Grcgory's brow was mointen.d with
n chilled dew. ''it'a Fran" he mum
bled. ITS Franl Grace-pray for her
Fran looked Samson steadily In III,
eyes. and Samson glared back hsedlN
For few momcntn. this culver b.
tween life and denth remained At ths
breaking point Had stranger a.
that moment looked under the tent
entrance. he might have thought every
body asleep There was neither sound
nor movement
0ne. whispcrod-"it In tho hand oil
Godi"
Her tone WIS almost inaudiblo. but
Gregory shrank as from mortal
blow; It's sinister meaning was uniniA
taxable. Swiftly he turned TO stare nj
hor.
| In Grae.'s eyes was Wild and ON
ibous glare akin TO that OF tho threat,
|
that Fran was Mt las, confronted BY
the justice Of heaven.
| Suddenly Fran orouohed forward till
her head was almost on level with
her waist. In 10 much that !, was y
physical csertion TO hold her face up
lifted, In this ninuous position pho
was the embodiment OF power. II she
felt mingiyingu concerning this last
resource. there was no look TO bettay
H. Straight toward Samson nhc
rushed. her body 1.-THE and Herpcntinr
her direction unerring
10 the bebst. Fran had become one
OF those mysterious nying serp.ntf
which bite from afar lie felt the
sting of her terrible eyes and HE save
grew nhifty, I, wandered away. and
ON returning found her teeth barred
as II 'asllnx for his hssrt