The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-06-27
NATURAL HISTORY.

Somebody had given her Sunday tickets
to the Geological gardens. Both stood out
side the yates q minute, looking in at the
trees in their May bravery. Then she pre-
sented her coupons, glanced severely at
the collector to see if he presumed to look
sympathetic, and they both went in.
Well dressed men and women were
1ounging about and ignoring the animals
as completely as if they were pianists at
an Eat hOme''
She cast furtive eye around for a.
quaintances. Finding none, she Studi,
the other women and came to the concl.
sion that no one there was as pretty AMI
sweet as herself. He should be made 10
show his sense of the fact, or what VS.
the good of it all?
Chow very nice everybody looksl' size
said, with little sigh. ''Makes one feel
shabby
He looked down at the delicate face and
fair hair that not even smart hat could
vulgariZe and said-nOthing The obvi-
Gus remark would have come easily enough
from him to any other girl. But banal
compliments for herl
They walked on in silence for moment
or two. Then she stopped in the very
middle of the path.
''H you don't intend to speak one word
to me all the afternoon she said, "may
I ask why you got me here?''
81 was under the impression that you
got me here!' said he, which was again a
word better left unsaid.
"Well, if did, don't let me detain
you,' she said, in a voice of dangerous
quietness. 81 can amuse myself beauti-
fully if you like to go home. Wouldn'5
you like tO?''
mot in the least, thank you.' he re-
piled, and silence reigned again. Some
thing seemed to have restored her to good
~, fl,.l- lie
cry now and then. But talk she could not
which was unusual with her.
They walked down the long gravel path
without a word. At the end of it was
cage containing something-animal or
bird. They halted before it with exagger-
ated interest.
''Thank heaven, beast at last, =" said
he.
"Have you felt the want of one all this
time?'' asked she. 81 haven'tr'
He glanced at her suspiciously, but she
was looking quite demure.
They went into the lion house and stared
at the biggest lion, who gazed over their
heads with an awful patience in his gold
en- eyes. At another time the zoo would
have faded away from around her, and she
would have seen the tawnY desert in its
stead and felt it shake under the mighty
padded tread. For she had the quick fancy
that stands for Imagination in most wom-
en-, and captive wild things tortured her
for pity of them. But now she was lean
ing against the rail, seeing nothing and
thinking of nothing, just because he was
leaning against it, too, and very near her.
Then he made feint of poking the lion
with his walking stick. Stress of inward
feeling does not preclude pathos in our
actions-rather the contrary.
"Don'tr' said She waking to life.
'tHen hurt you. Besides it's a shame.
You great, strong, wonderful creaturel I
should like to be in your power for a mo-
nent. What would you do with me?''
CHIP said he.
1.-The lion. Doesn't he look strong and
| patientY'
''Ah, the 1ionl Very. These little Loop
ards, now-dainty little thingsl They
| look as soft as Kittens and as gentle, but
! did you see the wild, wild eyes? All to
catch you and tame you and cherish you
! till you loved your masters handY'
''Better not try" said she and held her
! head little higher than before
They left the lion house and strolled
over to the shaggy bison, with their sullen
| lowered heads.
''This ones called Dick said she. and
| fondled the most forbidding. 81 heard the
i keeper say his name. Dear old fellow l.
| Dear, clumsy old fellow Look, he's kissing
my hand. Do you like being shut up in a
cage, you darling ugly, ugly old thing?
| He is really kissing my hand-dear Dick!'
my name is Dick, remarked he re
fectively. And she took the little hand
away and hastily moved on.
They came to some sort Of primitive
beast, who stood looking ruefully conscious
of his peculiar profile.
tYou are not pretty said she.
The beast stood stolidly still
"You are ridiculous" she said; "you
| irrIo O1,a1o
appropriate compliments not meant for
you if you were a man. Or you would
just stand in lump, whatever one did to-
provoke you. oh, you maddening hay
stack of thing! What do you call your
self?''
Poor old chapr' said he eff you were
a man, perhaps you'd have a voice and be
| able to talk about what you feel. And
perhaps you wouldn IT.
cts good thing you're not man,
said she. "There are dozens of your kind
already Dense, heavy thingsl It's
most ordinary type We don't want any
more of you
They came to some furtive soft eyed ga
zelles. One little creature trotted up to
the bars and poked through a velvet nose.
He was looking so dreamily kind that it
| thought he meant biscuits.
He stroked the little things head be.
tween the beautiful eyes 1t started away
in terror.
Stay with me-, he said so sharply that
she looked up at him quickly and drew
! nearer him.
"The gazelle,'' he said.
ooh, the gazelle!'' said she. Some peo-
pie passed close behind them-two women,
with inquisitive noses and hats of four
colors apiece.
Tim sure they're on their honeymoon, :"
said an eager whisper 'fHer things look
so new, and they are SO wrapped up in
each other"
''Shes pretty" said the other woman.
Z" Rather. He's fine looking, if you like"
The speakers passed on. He looked
down at her, smiling. But her eyes = ere
full of smarting tears. Her whole face
was one hot blush. oh, the hateful zoo