The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-03-27
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Before the Ball.
~ 8. 3, HAcLkEY.
Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure
NawnnanAt EVnhicafnN

A LII the way home Dorland, newly
~ made junior partner OF the Las.
, Icy Viekery company, thought Of
his mothers last letter.
Alleen's been going out with VIII
Carey ever since you've been away"
the letter said. with Wills being So
handsome, and Aleen bit tickle, and
Afabella Avery encouraging the
match, the Avery ball may mean the
climax Of things. Really, son, think
you ought 10 hurry home"
His mother was so keen for his mar.
mage TO his rich partners daughter.
And Alleen-Alleen was charming
1e believed that he loved her.
At Corbin Junction Stafford Fife
greeted him.
Trains two hours late, Frank"
DoTland's pleasant dark face cloud
ed bit. File laughed. Take on that
troWn, Frank; you'll see her tonight,
anyway. Let's 80 to the circus"
Twice. daily for four years Mile.
Jeanette Cheronnet had entered the
cage Of the performing lions, and Dor
land had neither known nor cared. But
.oday when he watched her moving
.earlessly among the fierce beasts tina;
1t the end Of the act began 10 growl
and lunge, his face paled like one who
sees the beloved in danger and IS
powerless 10 help,
"Buck up, old mani" Fife laughed.
The lions are used to her. They
wouldn't hurt her II she were to fall!
Much you know about lions, mani"
man next them exclaimed. That
girl takes her life in her hands every
time she goes IN that cage!"
Another half moment and MAIDEN.
oiselie was turning to bow her &C.
Acknowledgements to the applause. Her
brown eyes, clear and innocent, met
Dorfand 5. She cought her breath and
hurried out OF the tent. The sawdust
under her feet had turned to shining
gems, tue shabby canvas had become
spun gold!
She's got to have her rest after tho
nervous strain of her act" the mana.
ger OF the show impatientIy explained
to Dorland. She's got to sleep until
the evening performance. And she
don't like hangers-on!"
But I'm not 'hangeron, object
ed Dorland. II want properly to be
introduced Mile. Cneronnet."
"a reporter, eh? Well, maybe she'll
give you five minutes"
Still in her spangled chiffon stage
costume, mademoiselle appeared.
II am afraid Of the lions for you"
Dorland found himself saying. A warm
nRtoP cuffuSad tha OiFitu fare
1T ees for me, monsieur, you fear?
It ees kind, most kind, monsteur-but
they love me! The creatures have
known me thees long time; they love
ne "And 80 do II" echoed Dorland's
heart, "even l who have known you but
IN houri"
Il wish you worked in store or
some other safe place!" he murmured.
"But, monsieur" she objected, Il
must have more than clerks mon
cyl"
When her parents had died, she ex.
planned, the great-aunt who had lands
and money had taken her in, but not
Lucille, the sister, who had married be-
meath her family. And now Lucille was
dead, and her crippled husband and
her little children were, oh, so poor!
my aunt and my cousins cast me
III whom i took the training Of the
lions-but it meant money, and could
not let poor CASTOR and the mother
less ones starve, monsieur"
Could she see him again soon? Dor
land asked when he rose to lease. She
hesitated. There was little time on
HE road, but II monsieur we're ever to
be IN the city in which the circus went
into winter quarters, it might be pos
sibIe. The managers paid her to stay
there and teach the lions.
At the ball, Allen Vickery, looking
ike q lily IN blue vase, beckoned to
him. II want you to show me the fish
IN the lake."
Along, the sanded path she chung to
! bis arm, screaming at leafs rustic.
eIHe been wanting to see the fish
playing by moonlight so long, but Nora
md were afraid to come out here
llonel"
DorIand listened with strange intol'
srance. Afraid in that flower-filled
garden by the broad light of the moon!
And at, that moment that other girl, as
delicately tender, was exposing her
delicate body in a den OF lions that
others might have daily bread!
A fortnight later and Dorland stood
z n the little parlor Of Nile. Cheronnets
boarding house.
II want y u 70 at showing the
ions" he told her. Il am afraid for
goi. love you-let me take your bur.
leus on my shoulders, Jeanette"
She grew white. "You mean" she
A-AatheA, ''you mean, Monsieur"
II mt you to marry me. Jeanette"
Her color came back but she drew
back from his outstretchei arms.
II calnot - your relateeves--they
W>sd not receive me, monsieur"
But you love mel" persisted Dor
and.
'aais Quit" she confessed. But
love, thinks not Of itself! The true
loYe-eet ees unselfish. 1 cannot take
you from your people!"
"Doriaud, why aren't you getting On.
RACED to Alleen Vickery these dayS?"
stafford Fife asked lightly some weeks
iaters TITS very apparent she's only
waiting for you to speak"
''Perhaps-" Dorland hesitated, "but
I, lid be deprtvtng myself of the right
4 b love the girl who refused to mar"
.And who's she? The French lion
ifnHer OF the cIrcus?" Fife haZarded