The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-10-29

course man out Of a position
Is not 0ver-particular what work he
tackles, but 1t was certainly surpris-
ing that SO many others were willing
to tackle that especial job.
barrett would have hated to have
had Lorna know what he was plan
ming to do. They had been engaged
for year, and were to be- married q
year later. The young man had a
good position. but he found himself
on the eve Of his vacation with exact
~ twenty-five dollars too little. He
wanted to spend two glorious weeks
at Lornas home town. With his pres
emit capital he could spend but one.
He felt willing to do almost any
thing for twenty-five dollars. Conse-
Quently, when he saw in an advertise
ment that a strong young man, not
afraid Of lions, was wanted at the
menagerie Immediately, he hurried
away as fast as he could 60. He had
an idea that he could raise that twen-
ty-fve dollars within the first week
Of his three, leaving him two with
Lorna.
AS he waited outside the tent the
manager, heavy man with an un-
shaven jowl and black mustache,
came out and stood surveying the as
semblage with a sneering glare. Then
his eyes fell upon barrett, and he
smiled.
"I'il take you, young feller." he said.
"Beat 1t, the rest of youse."
Slowly and without spirit the bag
gard-eyed ones dispersed. The man.
ager called barrett inside the tent,
where dilapidated looking individ-
ual stood with downcast eyes.
"You amt afraid to tackle the lions,
hey?" he asked.
No." said barrett.
'Then this here is the game" said
the manager. II wanted a strong,
healthy young man that wasn't afraid,
to marry a lady in the lions cage.
You ill the bill. Hey, what's the mat
teri"
II guess I've got cold feet" said Oar
rett. Il didn't know"
"See here, young Teller. You've got
me wrong. You don't really marry
her. It's just fake ceremony, and
this gent here, Professor Dawborn, will
pretend to marry you. Understand?
The public will think it's a real thing,
and it'll draw trade. It's q new idea
OF mine. Remember, you're Doctor
SalernO, and you've come from the
Japanee islands, where you captured
band tanned the famous man-eating
monsters, to marry Mademoiselle Wv
lane. Don't be afraid; the beasts amt
got tooth in. their heads. You have
to prod 'em to make 'em move. Wiser"
I'm WISE" said barrett.
@Very well. Il you make. good your
Job stays for ever. We're starting on
the one-night circuit tomorrow, and
you'll marry Mademoiselle viviane
every afternoon between here and
Milwaukee. Professor Dawborn here
does the trick, and, as I said, he amt
got no license. He amt clergyman
nor nothing. but the people thinks he
Is"
The seedy looking Individual raised
his head, and the first words he ut
tered convinced barrett that the pro-
fessor, too, had just been taken on.
II don't know as I'll 60 through
with It," he murmured. ''Lions amt
no treat to me, boss. Maybe I'd bet
ter think it over"
"COme and see EN-" roared the
manager.
With one arm linked through the
professors, to keep up his courage and
keep him from running away, and fol-
lowed by barrett, he led the way to
the lions precinct They entered a
ramshackle shed near the circus tent,
and inside barrett saw Mademoiselle
Viyiane among her pets, within a
spick-and-span decorated cage.
He had pictured dainty, petite
little woman. He had reflected that
the guilty job he had undertaken must
always be burden upon his con-
science. He could hardly bring him
self to 60 through even a mock cere-
mony, even for another week Of Lor-
mas company. But now these
thoughts were utterly dispelled
Mademoiselle Viviane was stout.
double-chinned, and fifty. She had an
adiposity Of tissue which made her
bow Of recognition flop. Her hands,
which rested on the lions heads, were
rolls Of flesh in which a few obscure
diamonds and rubies were twinkling,
like plums in pudding.
"Are you on" asked the manager.
AHow much?" gasped barrett.
Five night and no notice."
'Tm on" said barrett feebly.
The manager smiled and nodded to
the lion-tameress, who opened the
door with a click that was terribly
sudden.
"Come In and meet the lions, boys"
said the manager, dragging the half
swooning professor after him.
Three hours later barrett sat be-
side Mademoiselle viviane. waiting
for the opening Of the show. The