Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-25
Life Ten Stories Above the City Streets-By Cecil eAp

OCC w ACW ~"
called Mr.. Meek, who was inside with Miss
Livingston, who had nearly tainted
you betcher life," answered Lou That's
no way to finish good trick"
Better let well enough alone" said Meek.
THAT isn't well enough for me,' Lou called
back
The sleeve of his silk shirt was torn where
the friction Of the slide had burned through
the material, and the steel frame encircling his
arm showed through This was Louis own
invention and made it possible for him TO slide
back to safety without soaring the flesh.
Slowly he started across the wire again. The
crowd below could not believe their eyes.
Maloney, the cop, knew it was impossible TO
clear any Of the mob away from directly be-
meath the wire, but he would have liked to do
So as the whole thing looked too dangerous
and foolhardy to him.
"Why the divn does he want to do that over
AGAIN." he exclaimed to himself. He watched
the lone figure slowly making its way across ca
the glistening wire.
Suddenly an exclamation broke from every
throat in the crowd-another figure had left
the window behind Lourella and was walking
unsteadIy out on the wire.
The people were amazed at this sudden turn
of events, and some thought it all in the trick
that was being performed.
MALONEY thought so. too. but for only q
moment. He looked across to the electric
companys building and saw the agonized face
of Dot leaning out across the ledge. That was
enough for Maloney. He dashed into the
Mechanics Building
Lourella was keeping on his way when sud-
denly he felt an unusual jolt on the wire. This
was not according to Hoyle-and he stopped
Looking directly ahead he saw the expression
on Dots face and he gave his body sudden
twist and turned to go back. It was shorter
distance in that direction than the other.
With his eyes straight ahead he saw the
shabby figure Of The Great Lamar on his wire.
His jaw shut harder as he started to retrace
his steps. For once in his life Lourella was up
against it. His slow-moving brain was thinking
fast
Slowly, inch by inch the two figures ap-
preached each other. There was q drunken
look Of satisfaction on Lamar's face as he
heard the screams that came to him from far
below. He had said he would walk the wire
and he was walking it.
The blood rushed to LOUIS head. He was
figuring what he would do when he reached
Lamar. Nearer and nearer they came to each
other. &.
Suddenly Lamar gave curse, lost his balance
and fell sideways. His arm shot out and went
over the wire and he hung by his hands
The wire swayed as he fell over and LoureIla
lost his balance and went over Again his arm
with nothing but space below him.
The Great Lamar hung like limp rag but
did not let 60 Suddenly, hand over hand,
Lourella moved toward him. They met.
Then the crowd saw exhibition of strength
they would never see again. Lourella slowly
lifted his feet up until they were over the wire
He was hanging by the backs of his knees.
His arms went around the waist Of Lamar
just as the drmkard's strength gave out and
he let go the wire. Lou held him as in vise
Then he slowly moved his legs, first one and
then the other. Inch by inch he moved along,
and the spellbound audience saw him, at last,
nearing the building.
When they were close enough the crowd saw
big policeman lean far out and grab hold Ot
the back Of the shirt Of the limp figure Lourella
was holding, and slowly draw it upward through
the open window. Maloney was on the job and
was doing his share.
Lourella took hold of the wire with his
hands, let go with his knees, pulled himself
up and scrambled through the window
Bedlam broke loose. The crowd was frantic
Men threw their hats in the air and yelled
themselves hoarse. The Casting Wilson's had
again staged great act, with the assistance
of the city police.
I'D like to go back and do my trick right
said Lourella.
said you could walk across and back once. You
been walkin' and slidin' back and forth there
all the afternoon. Now you cut it out. What
dye think that wire Is street in some town?@
ut looked like the main street." said Lou
rella, 1.-THE way it was crowded" He looked at
The Great Lamar, who was slumped down in q
chair
"I1l take care o. him. said Maloney THAT
was one-way wire an he was breakin' the
traffic rules by bein' on it at ALL at all. Where's
the little blonde that works with you?" he
asked viii she be comm over here?"