Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-03-20

Paradise men; they wore the cos
tunes Of the interior, and somebody
had already armed them with scythes,
rusty boarding-pikes. stable-forks, and
one or two flintlock muskets. An evil
looking crew, If ever I saw one. They
were the scum of Morbihan
"Well!" muttered Speed in amaze
ment.
After long silence, Kelly Eyre
looked at his watch. TITS time we
were in the tent" he observed, dryiy;
and we turned away without word.
At the bridge we stopped and looked
back. The red flag was flying from
the mayors house.
Il think" / said, that we had bet
ter ride ever to Trecourt after the
show-not that there's any immediate
danger
There is no immediate danger"
said Speed, because she is here"
My face began to burn; / looked at
him miserably. How do you know?'
sShe is there in the tent I saw
her. Don't misconstrue her presence.
Don't be contemplate fool If |
have read her face-and have never
spoken to her, as you know tell
you, Scarlet, that young girl is going
through an ordeal! Do women of that
kind come to shows like this to be
amused?"
And he turned on his heel, leaving
me speechless
] do not remember dressing. When
came out into the passage-way By
ram beckoned me, and pointed at a
crack in the canvas through which
one could see the interior of the am
phitheater.
The show was on.
stood in the shadow of the stable
tent, dressed in my frock-coat, white
stock, white cords, and hunting boots,
sullen, embittered, red with a false
shame that better men than I have
weakened under. almost desperate in
my humiliation, almost ready to end
it all there among those tawny, rest
less brutes pacing behind the bars
at my elbow, watching me stealthily
with luminous eyes.
She knew what / was-but that she
could come to see with her own eyes
could not understand, could not
! forgive. Because she had, in her gra.
cious ignorance, given me young
girls impulsive friendship, was to
mistake her?
"Have you seen her?" whispered
Speed, coming up to me. long whip
trailing.
shook my head
He looked at me in disgust. Here's
something for you," he said, shortly
and thrust an envelope into my hand
In the envelope was little card
on which was written: 81 ask you to
be careful, for a friends sake On
the other side of the card was en-
graved her name.
Where is she?" / said, steadying
my voice, which my leaping heart al
most stifed.
He drew me by the elbow ani
looked toward the right of the amphi
theater. Following the direction oi
his eyes, saw her leaning forward
pale-faced, grave, small, gloved hands
interlocked. Beside her sat Sylvia
Elven, apparently amused at the an
tics Of the clown.
Il will be careful" I said to Speed
in low voice. 'If 1t were not fol
Byram would not go on today-bu
lthat is matter of honor. Oh, Speed,
| broke out. SIS she not worth dyin,
forf
stWhy not live for herr" he oh
served, dryly.
He let go Of my arm and stood bacl
as my lion-cages came rolling out
drawn by four horses.
ITS your turn" he said, in dazes
way. Look out for that lioness."
| entered the cage, afraid.
| Almost instantly was the center O
| a snarling mass Of lions; saw moth
ing; my whip rose and fell mechan
ically. ] stood like one stunned, whil
the tawny forms leaped right and left
| Suddenly heard keeper say
Look out for Empress Khatoun, sir!
And moment later cry, Look out
sir!"
/ Something went wrong with anothe
lion, too, for the people were standin
up and shouting, and the sleeve of m
coat hung from the elbow, showin
my bare shoulder / remember say
ing, aloud: II must keep my feet;
must not fall" Then daylight grey
red, and was on my knees, with tn
foul breath of a lion in my face.
hot iron bar shot across the cagt
The roaring of beasts and people die
out in my ears; then, with a shocl
my soul seemed to be dashed out G
: me into terrific darkness.