New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-17

,,,zz1ino 10 the onIoOkers he walked past the hon,
stepped directly in front of the covering girl Shell
turned and faced the rigid animal. He trled 70
sneak but no sound rose to his lips. Again ne 1ide
the EFFORT but all he could achieve was a huSNy
mutter. - H.
eyes usually tawnv were now dark and glowing, the
di5tended pupils ahame The lower Jaw qu1Vered
and the tip of the tall from twitchin8 rapidly, began
to stifen.
A LION brought from a savage state would have
~ sprung. But this animal had been born IN
cage end had never learned to spring Crouchln;
until III belly touched the ground, he began TO maui
himself nearer inch by inch. The cruel eyes were
blazing nov the were tlattened, the teeth partly
barred and tie merciless face alight with sort OF
exultant ferocitv Something told the brute that ms
prev was in his power his kill as good as made, that
here was no need to stalk spring or rush lie vel
knew that the power of his lambent eyes had drawn
the strength from his victims who waited his pleas
ure in the fberless, hopeless apathy of the fore
doomed.
As the lion crept closer the flicker of strength that
had carried Griscom to the girl suddenly melted.
His whole being felt if dissolved into vague,
swimming mist of dull gray, nerveless dread. lie
standing, and remained in the same position,
listless, weary his stick swinging idly from his hand
To save his soul he could not have taken his eyes
from the orbit of the animals flat glare. NaturalistS
say that savage beast cannot endure the human
gaze eye eye; but this IS true only where the will
of the is the dominant
As the tawnv brute drew closer there was a rustic
at GriscOm s elbow and without looking up he felt
the girl at his side, her shoulder brushing his And
suddenly above his consuming terror there rushed
into his intelligence for the second time that weird
sense of familiarity with the fearful crisis With it
came prophetic sense of incidents Immediately to
follow and his heart fickered and all but expired
he felt the crushing impact OF the sweeping paw,
heard the crunching of bone the ripping of flesh
and sank into the oblivion that would follow.
4 Nd then his ears were filled with shout that
sounded dim and telephone and his ewes
looked heavily toward a man IN frock coat and top
hat who was running swiftly toward him across the
lawn, hOur1Sh1ng turIOuSly a gold headed cane
Straight at the lion he ran shouting and gesticu'at-
ing. The brute gave a nervous, sidelong glance
1nared and raised one paw, holding it if to strike
With as much Indifference as if the brute had been
tawny cur, the rescuer rushed straight upon him and
cut him savagely across the face with his stick.
OFF with YOU he rasped in a harsh authorita-
tive voice. He struck again and again, and the
beast drew back, snarling and blinking. "HouDl
Get out!
The lion skunk backward, cowed but threatening.
a vicious blow across the muzzle, and he wheeled
suddenly and fled back across the lawn in splendid
leaps. The bowling crowd took up the chase at a
respectful distance and disappeared in the direction
of Hampstead Heath.
q RISCOM turned slowly toward his rescter and
was vaguely conscious of a handsome aristo-
cratic young man. stylishly dressed of crisp mill
tary carriage and skin that told of much Iiving in
the open air. Griscom started to speak. br+ the
other interrupted him.
SAY he exclaimed brisky that was all very
OOii' CCltitiIl l MAKE out what YOU be
cause didn't see the lady But why didn't Won Veil
at him or shy the stool at HIM"
GrlScom could only shake his head His throa+
vas very dry and he had not vet found his 80
The other man, after quick puzzled look turned ~
he GIRL who was still standing with a white face and
1 dazed look in her eyes.
SIT down madam. Beastly shock that vo,,'ve
uSt liad! L IL get YOU nip of brandy. Don't Won
move until come backl' He glanced at Grisc6r1
ne same puzzled look then ran across the lawn ~
he direction of the cafe IL
tIr1SCOn turned or;t,-