The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-05-26


 without sayin' things about folks that'll hurt 'enh My land, Miss I've novor heard you say anything Madeline, this here is most too pretty to cover with dress! I'd feel kinder funny wearin' 1t. Meb. be, though, you won't--bein' you're used to wearing things other folks aint."
 The night before tho wedding, which was to take place ln tho lit. to Methodist church Grandfather siddai had attended since he YVES 2 school boy, Donna wrote to Made line.
 q hope the route hasn't been changed and that this reaches you. It's been 50 long since heard from you that I've wondered # you received by last letter. For Q long time I've been wanting to toll you that Bill and 1 are going to Do married but I've been afraid to-. It's sort of the same feelIng you know about an engagement, you know-not wanting to tell anyone until tho contract is signed, for fear 1t will fall through.
 "ft doesn't seem possible that oil Two wanted so much Is going to be mine - q home, q husband and, I hope, children. love Bill 50. Maybe, not any moro than you iove Con, but it seems to me that no woman could ever love c man as much as l do Bill. And I'm kocp- Ing my fingers crossed for fear something will happen betw ween now and tomorrow morning to prevent our marriage. Yet what could? I'm sure you wouldn't do anything to hurt me and know Bill love mo, though 1t took him Q long time to make up his mind to marry me.
 "Wish me happiness, Madeline. There are going to be somo tough days ahead, know, whom l have to make explanations, but I'm try. Ing not to think about them. lf you ever decide to come back here, for heavens sake lettme know be- forehand.
 DO write, please. By the way, I have to be married under your name. Do you think 1t Will matter much? Does Con know that I'm supposed to be you? Of course he knows that we aren't sisters and that it's your grandfather I'm liv. ing with, but does he know the rest?
 Heaps of love, Donna"
 It was this letter, the first he had ever read of Donnas that oponed Con DayId's eyes to Made. lines deception. One of the wild west riders had gone to the post office and brought the letter to Madeline just before her entrance cue, Madeline had opened 1t, read the signature, and, being in hurry, had tossed the letter on her dressing table and left the room.
 A few minutes later Con entered the room, looking for her. The sheets of paper attracted his at tention as he bent to take a last glance at his makeup in the mir. TOT, The name Donna" brought back all that the other girl had meant to him, and quite shameless ly he read the letter.
 He crumpled the message into a little ball and thrust It in nis pocket. Then he strode out of the dressing room. black fury Tn his heart.
 Madeline, at the entrance. turned to smile at him, and though ms scowl indicated something was wrong she had no idea that the situation was so serious.
 During the act Con nayed the beasts unmercifully. taking a sav- age delight as he cracked the great whip in their faces and saw them cringe in terror. once he struck Lucy, the Bengal, across the nose and when a streak of blood min. gled with the orange and black or her fur he laughed insanely.
 Madeline covered against the barred door, expecting at any mo- ment to see the tortured beasts turn upon him. Con! she moaned. "Con! For Gods sake, what's the matter with you? Stop it!"
 He turned and smiled at her. smile that was more terrifying than the snarls of the wild animals She fumbled with the catch on the door. opened it and, trembling as sine had not trembled since the first time she entered the lion cage, escaped to the arena.
 There was a sudden roar, fol- lowed by another and another, Con blind with anger, came suddenly 10 his senses and realized his danger. He leaped, caught the door. jerked it open and put bars between him and the menace. jus tas Carlo and Sander sprang toward him.
 fTO 10 COntimue6l