The state herald., 1914-01-02

ly 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 a 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 a ripple of laughter. The
other lion, feeling the sudden tremor
Of Samson's weight. opened his eyes
suddenly and twitched his tail He
was not asleep. after all.
Abbott found himself intensely nerv-
Gus. He longed to have 1t all over.
anxious. above all. to prove his fears
groundless. Yet how were 80 many
condolences to be explained away?
Fran had been a show-girl, trainer OF
lions. and Abbott distinctly remem-
bered that she had spoken of u Sam
son." Fran had just these movements
and this height. He missed Fran's
mellow voice. but voices may be dis
guised: and the hands now raised to-
ward the audience may have been
stained dark. Who was that sick
friend" that Fran had possibly men
toned only as an excuse for escaping?
Was that subterfugeY And why this
red mask which. according to Simon
Jefferson. was an innovation?
At every trick. the black-maned lion
balked.
When the time came for the clown
to hand the woman her violin he was
afraid. and withdrew his arm with
marvellous rapidity. His grotesque dis
guise could not hide his genuine un-
easiness. The members OF the band,
too. played their notes with unusual
care. lest the slightest deviation from
routine work bring catastrophe. Moth
Ing had gone right but the see-savins
act; but Of all this. the crowd was ig.
norant
After the violin playing--Now." ST.
mon Jefferson announced. gleefuily.
there's only one more act. but it's n
corker. let me tell you-that's why
| she's resting a minute. La Confetti
gets astride OF Samson-the one that's
mad-and grabs his name. and pre-
tends to ride like a cowboy. Calls her.
self n rough rider. Makes Samson
get on top OF that table. then she gets
on top OF him"
But this isn't La Gonizetti." Abbott
protested. shuddering again.
Now you've said something. That's
right. But II looks like she's game
she'll try it-we'd better stand n little
farther back"
A hand was laid upon Abbott's arm.
Abbott" said the voice OF Robert
Clinton. harsh from smothered excite
ment, You went to Gregory's house
did you see him1"
Abbott did not hear. The refractory
lion. knowing that his time had come
to be ridden. was asserting his indie
pendence He would not leap upon
the table. The other lion stood watch.
ing sleepily to see II he would obey.
That you. Clinton7'' Simon's
greeting Vas tense with enjoyment.
Got here for the best OF II didn't
1
somewhere no, long ago. but wasn't
thinking about him"
"Herculesl" the masked woman ad.
dressed the gentier OF tho lions. Go
to your place. iIercules-go to your
| place."
Hercules turned TO his blu. boz.
and seated himself upon II, leaving his
tail 10 take care OF itself
The show-girl was Hereby address.
Ing the blaok.maned lion. Now, Now 1.
To the table. To the tablet"
Samson did not bulge. Facing tn.
woman OF the mask. he opened his
mouth. revealing III. red cave OF his
throat-pnst the ivory sentincls that
not only stood guard. but threatened.
ono could look down and down. This
was no ya~h OF wcarincns. but n sign
OF rcbcilion-a sort OF noiscicss roar.
The trainer rctr.atcd TO tho farther
side OF III. cage. thaa made n forward
rush. waving her whip. and shouting
dangerously. up. Samson. up sam.
son. upl" She did not pause In hcr
course I'LL clos. to his face.
Again ne opened MS mouth, barring
every tooth. voic.lean. but 3ncon.
auercd
Hercules. nndlng that Affairs had
come to n halt. slowly descended from
his boz keeping his halfoponod eyes
upon the woman. RonueHuiy he be.
gan To pace before the outer door
The slight ngurc withdrew several
ateph, then nmotc the reboliioun lion u
sharp blow across the mouth lie
snapped at the lash, II slipped away
from between his teeth. Having res.
cued her ship. she shouted TO the 9th.
or lion BACK to your place. iiorouica
Herculos-baok to your piaeei'
bho stood pointing Hterniy toward
the bor. but Hercules stretched him
self anfosH the place OF asit snd lay
watching her coverus.