Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-08-24
NATURAL HISTORY.


side the gates minute, looking in at the
trees in their May bravery. Then she r4,e-
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
Longing about and ignoring the animals
as completely as If they were pianists at
an lat home.'
She cast furtive eye around for &C.
quaintances. Finding none, she studied
the other women and came to the conclu-
sion that no one there was as pretty and
sweet as herself. He should be made to
show his sense of the fact, or what was
the good of it ALP
How very nice everybody looks!" she
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.
"If you don't intend to speak one word
to me all the afternoon" she said, "may
ask why you got me here?"
II was under the impression that you
got me here!" said he, which was again a
word better left unsaid
"Well, if I did, don't let me detain
you, she said, in voice of dangerous
quietness. II can amuse myself beauti-
fully if you like to go home Wouldn't
you like top
"Not in the least, thank you, he re-
piled, and silence reigned again. Some
thing seemed to have restored her to good
humor, for she smiled softly to herself ev-
cry now and then. But talk she could not,
which was unusual with her.
They walked down the long gravel path
without 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
timer" asked she. II haven't!'
He glanced at her suspiciously, but she
was looking quite demure.
1hOy WOAU 1uUO UllC llOu lUuSS uutl SUtTCu
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 1t, 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't" said she, waking to life.
"He'll hurt you. Besides it's shame.
You great, strong, wonderful creature
should like to be in your power for mo-
ment. What would you do with mep"
CHIP said he.
"The lion. Doesn't he look strong and
patentp"
"Ah, the lion! Very. These little leop-
ards, now-dainty little things! They
look as soft as kittens and as gentle, but
did you see the wild, wild eyes9 All, to
catch you and tame you and cherish you
till you loved your masters handW
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. II heard the
keeper say his name Dear old fellow
Dear, clumsy old fellow! Look, he's kissing
my hand. Do you like being shut up in
cage, you darling ugly, ugly old thingp
He is really kissing my hand-dear Dick!"
My name is Dick" remarked he re-
And she took the little hand
away and hastily moved on.
They came to some sort Of primitive
BEAST, who stood looking ruefully conscious
If his peculiar profile.
You are not pretty" said she.
The beast stood stolidly still.
"You are Ridiculous" she said; "you
are pigheaded too. You would probably
appropriate compliments not meant for
you If you were 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
,elfp"
Poor old chapr" said he. eff you were
! man, perhaps you'd have voice and be |
lble to talk about what you feel. And |
perhaps you wouldn't"
Its good thing you're not man,"
laid she. There are dozens of your kind
llready. Dense, heavy things! It's
most ordinary type We don't want any
more Of you.'
They came to some furtive, soft eyed ga
'elles. One little creature trotted up to
he bars and poked through velvet nose.
de was looking SO dreamily kind that 1t
bought he meant biscuits
He stroked the little things head be-
ween the beautiful eyes. 1t started away
n terror.
"Stay with me" he said SO sharply that
he looked up at him quickly and drew
learer him.
THE gazelle," he said
ooh, the gazelle" said she. Some peo-
lie passed close behind them-two women,
With inquisitive noses and hats Of four
olors apiece.
"1'ln sure they're on their honeymoon,
aid an eager whisper Her things look
o new, and they are SO wrapped up In
ach other
"She's pretty" said the other woman.
Rather. He's fine looking, If you like"
The speakers passed on. He looked
own at her, smiling But her eyes were
pll Of smarting tears. Her whole face
Fas one hot blush. Oh, the hateful zoo
With Its vulgar people and the poetry that
lad all gone out Of the world with one
ashl
"CryingP" said he. "Do you hate me
0, my little sweet9"
The gazellep" asked she.
"No not the gazelle he said.
"Who them" said she.-New Budget,
Whore She Got Thorn.