Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-19

1HH, C' ''''-"N
A Moment Later He Was Infinitely
More Astonished.
and at the same instant a sudden recol' |
lection filed the tutor anew with ter
ror-he had himself locked the door
behind him when he had entered the
room.
He heard the servant try the door
several times, and then depart. Upon
which Mr.. Moore swooned.
In the meantime Jack was enjoying
to the full the stolen pleasures Of the
music hall. He had reached that tenn
pie of mirth just as Ajax's act was
commencing, and having purchased q
box seat was now leaning breathlessly
over the rail, watching every move OF
the great ape, his eyes wide in wonder.
The trainer was not slow to note the
boys handsome, eager face. and as one
of Ajaxs biggest hits consisted in an
entry to one or more boxes during his
performance. OSttllSiUlS III SCuASA VI u
long lost relative, as the trainer ex-
planned, the man realized the effective.
ness of sending him into the box with
the handsome boy, who doubtless would
be terror stricken by proximity to the
shaggy, powerful beast.
| When the time came therefore for the
| ape to return from the wings IN reply
! to an encore the trainer directed its
| attention to the boy, who CHANGED to
be the sole occupant of the box In
which he sat.
With spring the huge anthropoid
! leaped from the stage to the boys side.
But if the trainer had looked for a
laughable scene of fright he was mis-
taken. A broad smile lighted the boys
features as he laid his hand upon the
! shaggy arm of his visitor. The ape,
grasping the boy by either shoulder,
peered long and earnestly into his face
while the latter stroked his head and
talked to him in low voice.
4 Never had Ajax devoted SO long a
time to an examination of another as
. he did in this instance. He seemed
, troubled and not little excited, jab
bering and mumbling to the boy anG
, now caressing him as the trainer had
never seen him caress human being
before. Presently he clambered ovel
| into the box with him and Struggled
downsclose to the boys side.
: The audience was delighted, but the!
were still more delighted when thu
2 trainer, the period Of his act having
elapsed, attempted to persuade Aja1
:. TO leave the box. The ape would no
e bulge.
: The manager becoming excited a
t the delay, urged the trainer to create
4 haste, but when the latter entered tn,
e box to drag away the reluctant Ala
t he was met by barred fangs and men
acing growls.
!, The audience was delirious with Joy
They cheered the ape. They cheers
S the boy, and they hooted and jeered .
# the trainer and the manager, whic
Il luckless individual had inadvertentl
a. shown himself and attempted to assii
the trainer.
d Finally. reduced to desperation an
realizing that this show Of muffin
,s upon the part of his valuable posses
s sion might render the animal WORTHLESS
d for exhibition purposes in the future
not Immediately subdued, the traint
= fastened to his dressing room and pr
|. cured heavy whip.
IL With this he now returned to the bo
l. but when he had threatened Ajax wit
1t but once he found himself facir
;" two Infatuated enemies instead Of on
le for the boy leaped to his feet and, sci
y ing chair, stood ready at the ape
side to defend his new-fOund frien
:" There was no longer smile upon h
* handsome face. In his gray eyes WI
ie an expression which gave the train
ne pause. and beside him stood the gia
anthropoid g"owling and ready.
eu What might have happened but f
~ timely interruption may only be 81
re missed. but that the trainer would ha
II received severe mauling If nothil
" more was clearly Indicated By the at
n! tudes OF the two who faced him.
of
1t WAS a pale-faced h0useman W
NJ rushed into the Greystoke library
W announce that he had found Jacl
III door locked and had been able to {
tain no response to his reneatsd tn"'