The Virginia enterprise., 1908-03-13
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the latest improvements" ventured
| the man.
Il know" nodded the girl. HE was
a taxameter:"
"Of course, the tortoise won," de-
clared the boy.
NO. confessed the man. "The race
had to be declared off because the
| kangaroo skidded.''
1T must have been very expensive
| ride,' commented the girl.
Il think it was only trial run"
said the man.
In the Elephant house he must have
made up something more than usually
| grotesQue, because the discussion that
ensued between the children was par
ticularly lively. But there, as well as
in the Lion house, on account of the
people and the noise, could catch lit.
tie OF their talk. When, again, had
the opportunity Of listening it was in
the comparative solitude of the Zebra
yards. They were manifesting ex-
treme interest in the Quaggas.
They were soldiers once" the man
was saying.
"Of course; look at their stripes"
quoth the boy
The girl began spelling out the de-
scriptive notice that is affixed to the
fence. From South Africa!" she ex-
claimed. Where they in the war;"
Yes, in the transport department"
rejoined the man. 1T happened near
the Vaal"
please go on" was urged.
"A Quagga who wasn't afraid mar
rated the man, was always the first
on parade. but when fighting began
he got into van, which he drove a
long distance for aid"
"Ah, a turning movement! Good
man." remarked the boy.
$50 he got the D. C. M.." augmented
the man.
The boy began thinking. YES said
he, presently. The Distinguished
Conduct Medal. OF course!"
"No-District Court Marshal" cor
rected the man.
Poor thing!" murmured the girl.
And now he's in lager"
"Oh, no." objected the man. "This
is the Lower House, you know. He
was elected to it by Het Volk, and"
The Quagga raised his unmusical
voice.
Hes speaking now. Hush!" ad.
monished the man.
Politics." whispered the boy
"Yes-suffragettes!" adyentured the
girl.
Then she said something about
Home" and they went off at brisk
pace. AS 1 strolled in their wake
felt grateful for the glimpse had hac
Of the devotion which childhood car
inspire in the heart of grown man;
of the magic sensibility that enables
the adult mind to see things with the
| eyes of youth.
The afternoon was drawing in, ami
the people were streaming through the
| gateway when I reached it. AS | min
gled with them on my way out there
was touch upon my arm and, turn
ing, looked down into the uplifted
| eyes of the girl Such pleading eyes
each with tear trembling on the long
lashes. BY her side was the boy look
ing deeply concerned.
| Please. please, help us to find fa.
ther!" she implored. We've lost
him.
She saw at once that was ready to
obey her, and, putting her hand in
mine, led me away while she poured
out her fears for her fathers safety.
OF personal anxiety there was not a
trace. The reason followed quickly.
A blow on the head from a Boer rifle
while he was defending a wounded
comrade had destroyed his reason.
Once withdrawn from their protection
he was responsible-helpless as a
child.
All day had been laboring under !,
delusiOn. The man was their charge
not they his. 1t was they who had
been endeavoring to stimulate his fan.
ciful imagination, and 50 provide him
with entertainment; and I had been
deceived by his unconscious humor.
When we found him wandering
about aimlessly, as we did within five
minutes, the girls relief was intense
MY darling!" she sobbed, trying to
get her small arms round him. "My
poor dear!"
He showed no feeling at the re-
union, made no remark: merely fell
into step between his small protectors
and left the gardens with one of them
on either side guarding him tenderly
Wild Duck ~ Collision with Auto.