The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1914-04-01


pelllngly. Tho other lion wal patient
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.
made a rush for his end of the
seesaw. He stepped upon II. He was
conquered. His haste to obey, evi.
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 II all over
anxious. above all. to prove his fears
groundless. Yet how were 40 many
condolences to DO explained awsyH
Fran had been q show.girl, n trainer OF
lions. and Abbott distinctly remem
bered that she had spoken Of a sam.
SON" Fran had just these movement
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 q subterfuge? And why this
red mask which. according to Simon
Jefferson. was an innovation?
Al every trick. the black.maned lion
baked.
When the time came for the clown
to hard the woman her violin he was
afraid. and withdrew his arm with
marvellous rapidity. His grotesque dis.
guise could not hide his genuine un.
e%asiness. 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-sawing
act: but Of all this. the crowd was IL.
norant.
After the violin playing-"Now." 81.
mon Jefferson announced. gleefully.
there's only one moro act. but it's a
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 q rough rider. Makes Samson
get on top Of that table. then she gets
on top OF him"
But this isn't La Confetti" Abbot,
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 a little
farther back"
A hand was laid upon Abbott's arm
Abbott" said the voice OF Rober,
Citation. harsh from smothered excite
ment "You went to Gregory's hous,
did you see him?"
Abbott did not hear. The ~refractor,
lion. knowing that his time had come
10 be- ridden. was asserting his indie
pendence. He would O leap upor
the table. The other lion stood watch
ing sleepily to SEQ II he would obey.
THAT you. Clinton7" Simon.
greeting was tense with enjoyment
Got here for the best OF It didn'
you'll Seems to mo ! saw Gregor,
somewhere not long ago. but ! WASH
thinking about him"
"Hercuies!" tho masked woman ad
dressed the gentler OF the lions. ct
to your place. Hercuies-go TO you.
place!"
Hercules turned to his blue box
and seated himself upon II. leaving hi,
tail to take r OF itself.
The show-girl was ~aercely address
ing the black.maned lion. Now! Now
To the table! To the tablet"
Samson did not bulge. Facing tn,
woman OF the mask. he opened hi
mouth. revealing the red cave OF hi
throat-past the ivory sentinels tina
not only stood guard. but threatened
one could look down and down. Thi
| n no yawn OF weariness. but n sig
OF robellion-a sort Of noiseless roar.
The trainer retreated TO the farths
, side OF the cage. then made q forwar,
! rush. waving her whip. and shoutin
dangerously. up. Samson. up San
son. up!" She did not pause In he
. course I'LL close to his face.
Again no opened mis- mouth, BARN
D every tooth. vo~iceiess. but uncoI
quered.
Hercules. finding that affairs ha
come to q halt. slowly descended fror
his box. keeping his half-opened eye
upon the woman Restlessly he b,
), gan TO pace before the outer door.
I The slight figure withdrew sewers
o steps. then smote the rebellious lion
!. sharp blow across the mouth. II
I snappad at the lash. II slipped ava
from between his teeth. Having re,
/ cued her whip. she shouted 70 the OIL
er lion: Back to your place. Hercules
Hercules-back to your placed"
She stood pointing sternly towar
/ the box. but Hercules stretched hin
self across the place of exit and Ia
watching her covertly.