The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-07-08
NATURAL HISTORY.

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 ono there was as pretty and
sweet as herself. He should be made to
show his sense of tho fact, or what was
the good Of it ALP
"How very nice everybody looksr' 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
.ivulgarizo and said-nothing Tho obvi-
pus remark would have come easily enough
from him to any other girl But banal
compliments for heri
They walked on in silence for q moment
or two. Then she stopped in the very
hnlddle of the path
Il "If you don't intend to speak one word
70 me all the afternoon" she said, "may
4 ask why you got mo heref'
II was under tho impression That you
got mo herei" said he, which was again
word better left unsald.
well, If 1 did, don't let me detain
gou," she said, in a voice of dangerous
nuietness. ~ can amuse myself beauti-
fully If you like to go home Wouldn't
you like to?"
mot in tho 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-
sry 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
4 all - D
he.
"Have you felt tho want Of ono all this
timer" asked sho. 81 haven'tr'
He glanced at her suspiciously, but she
was looking quito domure.
4 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 1t shake under tho mighty
padded tread. For she had the quick fancy
that stands for Imagination in most wom-
On, 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 ho was
leaning against it, too, and very near her.
Then he made a felnt of poking the lion
with his walking stick. Stress of inward
feeling does not preclude pathos in our
actions-rather the contrary.
"DontW said she, waking to life.
Hell hurt you. Besides it's a shame.
You great, strong, wonderful creature
Should like to be in your power for n mo-
ment. What would you do with mef"
"Eh?' said he.
"The lion. Doesn't he look strong and
patient2'
"Ah, the lionl Very. These little Loop
ards, now-dainty little thingsl They
look as soft as kittens and as gentle but
did you SEQ the wild, wild eyesP All, to
catch you and tame you and cherish you
till you loved your masters handI'
Better not try" said she and held her
head a little higher than before.
They left the lion house and strolled
over to tho shaggy bison, with their sullen
lowered heads.
"This ones called Dick" said she, and
fondled tho most forbidding. II heard the
keeper say his name. Dear old fellowl
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 Dickl'
"Aly name is Dick, remarked he re-
flectiyely. And she took tho little hand
away and hastily moved on.
They came to some sort of primitive
beast, who stood looking ruefully conscious
of his peculiar profile.
"You arc not pretty" said she.
Tho beast stood stolidly still.
you are ridiculous" she said; "you
arc pigheaded too You would probably
appropriate compliments not meant for
YOU If you wero man. Or you would
Just stand in lump, whatever ono did to
provoke you. Oh, you maddening hay
stack Of q thingl What do you call your
selfP'
Poor old chapl" said he. "If you were
man, perhaps you'd have n voice and be
able to talk about what you feel. And
perhaps you wouldn't"
"It's good thing you're not man,"
said she. "There are dozens of your kind
already. Dense, heavy thingsi It's
most ordinary type. We don't want any
more of you"
They came to some furtlye, soft eyed ga
zelles One little creature trotted up to
the bars and poked through velvet nose
He was looking so dreamily kind that ID
thought he meant biscuits
He stroked the little things head bo-
tween the beautiful eyes. 1t started away
In terror.
she looked up at him quickly and drew
noaror him.
"The gazelle," he said
"Oh, the gazellei" said she. Some peo.
pie passed close behind them-two women,
with inquisitive noses and hats of four
colors apiece.
"Im sure they're on their honeymoon,
said an eager whisper. "Her things loolf
so new, and they are SO wrapped up in
each other"
"She's pretty" said the other woman.
"Rather. He's fine looking, If you like"
The speakers passed on. He looked
down at her. smiling. But her eyes were
full of smarting tears. Her whole face
was one hot blush. Oh, the hateful zoo
with Its vulgar people and the poetry that
had all gone out of the world with ono
flashl
"CryingP" said ho. edo you hate me
SO, my little sweetS'
"The gazelle9" asked she.
s'No, not the gazello," he said.
"Who them" said she.-New Budget