The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-01-17

whispering sound of the silken mash,
as it struck the plank floor OF the
cage, was distinctly audible.
"Grsce!" 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,
petrihed.
GregoTy's brow was moistened with
chilled dew. It's Fran" he mum
bled. its Fran! Grace-pray for her!"
Fran looked Samson steadily in tn
eyes, ard Samson glared back tiXedly.
For q 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 4 wild and ON
inous glare akin to that of the threat
ening lion. 1t was q 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 q
physical exertion to hold her fac8 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 serpentihe.
her direction unerring.
To the beast, Fran had become one
of those mysterious flying serpents
which bite from afar. He felt 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
Rushing up to his very face-"Sam-
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.
Eron cta har foot or ho rthor
lion. 60 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 to
fall asleep.
And nov, at last, Fran looked at the
spectators. Stepping lightly to the
bars, she threw kisses this way and
that, smiling radiantly. Obi" she
cried, with vibrating earnestness,
you people out there-you can't think
how / love you! You've saved my life
You are perfect heroes. Now make all
the noise you please"
May We mover" called q cautious
voice from a few feet away. 1t was
Abbott Ashton, with eyes like stars.
Fran looked at him. wondering at
his thoughts. She answered by an up
ward movement of her hand.
As though by q carefully rehearsed
arrangement, the audience rose TO its
feet, band boys and all Such a shout!
Such waving of hats and handker-
chiefs! Such unabashed sobs! Such
insrticulateness-such yraspings of
neighboring hands! The spectators
had gone mad with joyful relief.
Fran lesped upon the table, and
mounted Samson.
Now, I'm q rough rider!" she
shouted, burying her hands in the
name. and lying along the lions back
in true cowboy fashion. She plunged,
she shouted loudly. but Samson only
closed his eyes and seemed to sleep.
Aftesr that, making the lions return
to their cramped side cages was a
mere. detail. The show was ended
Fran, remaining in the empty cage,
stood at the front. projecting her nand
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 tent-roof.
There they are!"