The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-11-10
IN THE SHADOW
! OF THE SPHINX.
From the Year 1890 In Central
Park He Steps Back to An
Gent Times In Egypt.

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We entered Central park from Fifty
ninth street
1--WE must get to the obelisk as soon
rs possible" said Ina. The hero
glyphics are so much clearer Just be-
fore they ;.ie catirely in shadow"
We l.!:cl;s:ied our steps.
Yen know. am not so interested in
hieroglyphics." said, smiling-"not so
interested as am in enigmas''-she
looked up quickly lin you, for in
stance"
She turned away.
"Hurry!" she said. 1--WE are late
now, am sure"
When at last we faced the eastern
side Of the needle, the sun was almost
to the line. The shadows in the mark
ings made them deep and distinct.
ION the other sides the Inscriptions
have been somewhat effaced by time
and exposure, she explained. 'These
are more interesting"
We rested on the benches while she
Indicated some Of the different charac-
tiers and translated. Her cheeks burn
ed with enthusiasm.
"What strange girl you are, Ina!"
complained. you care more for the
myths Of the past than the realities Of
the present"
She did not seem to hear.
"Or for dreams Of the future" I
edded in a whisper.
She looked straight ahead at the
obelisk and said nothing. Her profile
against the foliage beyond startled me.
had not noticed before how perfectly
Egyptian it was. l was going to refer
to this, but something in her manner
made me hesitate. Presently she spoke.
II have always had an inclination for
these things" she said earnestly. II
cannot remember when it began. NV
father encouraged it and helped me-"
She pointed to the SCARED monument
that was now in the shadow and dark
against the May sky. ut is called Cleo
patra's needle" she continued, "but it
dates much earlier. 1t is said to have
been built in honor of princess Of the
sixteenth dynasty. 1t has also been
said that her mummied remains are
yonder." She indicated the Metropoli-
tan galleries. IL hope it is true. It
would be beautiful If it were. We will
60 over there"
slater, Ina" protested. 1.-THE air
H. SO fine. Let us enjoy it little. We
can stop as we return
She rose, resignedly, and we walked
leisurely northward to where the park
Is more wooded and quiet. I endeav-
0red to lead her around to the subject
nearest my heart. But she seemed ST.
lent-almost inattentive Yet she had
never opposed my suit. She had been
only Indifferent.
We passed little spring, and, paus-
Ing, drank out of small hunting cup
carried. A step farther on we found
q rustic seat. l fancied that tender
look had come into her face, and, en-
couraged by it, | urged her to give me
some assurance of regard. 1t was very
peaceful there, and we were shut in by
overhanging boughs. Presently took
her hand. AS did so queer lookin:
beetle dropped from the branches
above and chung tightly to my sleeve.
Ina gave faint cry of surprise.
ooh" she said, "how strange! 1t
looks exactly LIKE believe it is real.
ly'-
"What Is. InaY l asked pettishly.
"Some new and wonderful specimen
of the insect tribe?"
"No," she answered wonderingly,
ian old one-a scarabaeus-the sacred
heart scarab of Egypt!'
Impossible. InaT' laughed. "Your
enthusiasm deceives you"
mo, no! 1t is scarab! am sure
of it" she insisted. "The only emblem
of reincarnation-o eternal life. Oh,
don't let it escape! Catch it!
The strange insect had started to
crawl away. have an inherited hor-
ror Of all reptiles and beetles, but what
would l not do for Ina? seized the
creature firmly with my thumb and
fingers and held it fast. Suddenly |
felt sharp pain that shot up through
my arm like fire. dropped the insect,
with cry.
"Ah! 1t has bitten mew
"Where?" she cried. LET me seey'
turned my thumb toward her.
There were two minute drops of blood
issuing, as from the punctures Of
needle. My arm was becoming numb
with pain. must have been pale, for
she looked at me keenly.
"Give me the cup, quicki l will get
vOu some waterr
| remember handing her the little
hunting cup and of seeing her hasten
away. Then a WEAKNESS seemed to
weigh upon my lids. and plunged into
darkness. moment later | recovered
consciousness and opened my eyes.
Ina was standing before me. No, not
1na-lno-tirte. the Egyptian!
was seated by the gates of ruined
temple. About us the waving palms.
Beyond them the cobalt sky of Egypt.
Far away, across shimmering waste
of brown sand. the SPHINX pazed ont