Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-02-23
IN THE SHADOW
OF THE SPHINX.
From the Year 1899 In Central
Park He Steps Back to An
Gent Times In Egypt.


We entered Central park from Fifty
ninth street.
"We must get to the obelisk as soon
as possible" said Ina. 1.-THE hero
glyphics are so much clearer just be-
fore they are entirely In shadow"
We q%uickened u steps.
"You know, l am not so interested In
hieroglyphics," l said, smiling-"not so
interested as I am In enigmas"-she
looked up quickly - "in you, for in
stance"
She turned away.
"Hurry!" she said. I'VE are late
now, l 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 a strange girl you are, Inag'
I 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" /
added In a whisper.
She looked straight ahead at the
obelisk and said nothing. Her profile
against the foliage beyond startled me.
l had not noticed before how perfectly
Egyptian 1t was. l was going to refer
to this, but something in her manner
made mi hesitate. Presently she spoke.
81 have always had IN inclination for
these things" she said earnestly. II
cannot remember when it began. My
father encouraged 1t and helped me-"
She pointed to the SCARED monument
that vas now in the shadow and dark
against the May sky. ut is called Cleo
patra's needle" she continued, but it
dates much earlier. It is said to have
been built in honor of a 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 1t were. We will
60 over there"
Later, Ina," l protested. 1.-THE air
is so fine. Let us enjoy it a little. We
can stop as WI return"
She rose, ~resignedly, and we walked
~leisurely northward to where the park
is more wooded and quiet. I endeav-
ored to lead her around to the subject
nearest my heart. But she seemed 81.
~lent-almost inattentive. Yet she had
never opposed my suit. She had been
only Indifferent,
We passed a little spring, and, paus.
ing, drank out Of a small hunting cup
I carried. A step farther on we found
q rustic seat. fancied that a tender
look had come into her face, and, en-.
couraged by 1t, urged her to give me
some assurance Of regard. 1t was very
peaceful there, and we were shut in by
overhanging boughs. Presently I took
her hand. AS l did SO a queer looking
beetle dropped from the branches
above and chung tightly to my sleeve.
Ina gave a faint cry Of surprise.
"Oh," she said, chow strange! 1t
looks exactly like-I believe 1t is real.
ly''-
what is. Ina" l asked pettishly.
Some new and wonderful specimen
Of the insect tribe?"
mo-" she answered wonderlngly,
IAN old LEA scarabaeus-the sacred
heart scarab Of Egypt"
Impossible, Ina" I laughed. "Your
enthusiasm deceives you"
mo, no! 1t is q scarab! I am sure
of it." she insisted. 1.-THE only emblem
Of reincarnation-of eternal life. Oh,
don't let 1t escape! Catch til"
The strange insect had started to
crawl away. | have an Inherited hor-
ror of all reptiles and beetles. but what
would not do for Ina? l seized the
creature firmly with my thumb and
fingers and held 1t fast. Suddenly
felt a sharp pain that shot up through
my arm like fire. dropped the insect,
with a cry.
"Ah! 1t has bitten me-"
Ina looked startled and concerned.
"Where" she cried. "tet me see!"
l turned my thumb toward her.
There were two minute drops Of blood
issuing, as from the p%unctures Of a
needle. My arm was becoming numb
with pain. must have been pale, for
she looked at me keenly.
Give me the cup, quickl l will get
you some water"
remember handing her the little
hunting cup and of seeing her hasten
away. Then a WEAKNESS seemed to
weigh upon my lids, and l plunged into
darkness. A moment later I recovered
consciousness and opened my eyes.
Ina was standing before me. No. not
ln~a-Ino-irte. the Eggplant
was seated by the gates Of q ruined
temple. About US the waving palms.
Beyond them the cobalt sky Of Egypt
Far away, across a shimmering waste
OF brown sand, the Sphinx gazsd out
over the desert AZ It had done for more
than a thousand years. Even IN my