The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-04-17

EE.t.a. 4NAf NftA tE1A+ "
, to the iIl-humor Of
OF the bear was
explained BY the fact that francesca
the gay and fascinating animal
tanner was billed to exhibit the brutes
intelligence at the close OF each per
formance. and Francesca had been
paying considerable attention to
SIdonia Of late 40 much that Otto,
the strong man once foremost IN her
affections, had been relegated almost
entirely to the background
She sought her lover at the first op-
portunity and iIsoTmed him OF her
fears
Il wish you would take extra pre-
cautions when you enter Bruins cage
this afternoon she said Il never
saw him look so ssly before, and I
fear that he nay do YOU an injury"
What foolish notion has taken
possession Of You now" he playsully
izquired. "Bruin is as gentle as a
kitten and las never been known to
harm any one"
The audience was largely composed
OF rough miners from the coal fields,
and when the bear cage was run IN
they rushed from their seats and
swarmed around II.
So densely were they packed that
Francesca experienced considerable
difficulty in forcing his way through
them. The crowaing of the people
seap.ed 70 have a bad effect upon
Bruins temper. and he growled
viciously when the trainer entered.
The latter started toward him whip in
hand AT the first step he slipped and
fell to the fioor
The sight OF the trainer helpless be-
fore him aroused all the ferocity of
the bears nature, and with a furious
growl he rushed at the PROSTATE man
A cry Of dismay rang from Sidonias
lips In an agony Of grief she turned
to the faithful Otto. who was stand
fng a few PAGES away.
Otto. save him" she cried
And why should T." was the fierce
reply lie js my enemy. Had he
not come between us with his treach-
cry and deceit you would love me
still"
"Ottol" she pleaded sinking to her
knees while the tears streamed down
her face. save him for my sake.
Quick or it win be too late"
Tearing club from the hands OF
one Of the assistants, he plunged into
the crowd like an avalanche. He was
not moment too soon francesca
was down and the bear was tearing
furiously at his shoulder when he
dung himself between them.
And now commenced a mighty
struggle over the body OF the uncon-
scious man The bears fury was
doubled at finding himself confronted
by an opponent who, instead Of dodg-
ing and running away, stood up and
buffeted him with awful blows that
stunned and blisded him.
At length when he had almost
gained the door and escape seemed
probable, the trainer recovered his
senses and dragged himself weakly to
his feet He bestowed single glance
upon the struggling pair before him;
then he turned asd slipping from the
cage slammef the door behind him.
The door was equipped with a spring
lock and the man who had risked his
life to save him was prisoner with
The bear.
Sidonias shrek rang above the
cries Of the people, and she was about
to close her eyes to the awful spec
tacle, when suddenly long pole was
thrust between the bear and his vic
tim; then another and another, and
with gasp Of relief she realized that
he long delayed help had arrived at
asst
Then the face Of Francesca ap-
jeared in the crowd in front OF her;
4 face that was bloody from the rough
handling of angry men. But she save
10 sign Of recognition.
Then the face Of Otto appeared:
bloody also. but with wounds received
n another's defense Their eyes met
md ia hers was a look that asked for
,iveness His answering look told
Ter that il was granted
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