The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-04
copyright; 1914: BY Harold MacGrath.,

modelling in clay The glare the oalifornit
NJ sunshine, Gtering through the canvas. became
mellowed, warm, and Golden. Above the girli
head--yelow like the stalk of whea-there howered
kind auFeola, if there had Tisen above it haze
impalpabe gold dust.
! poet, know might have cried ut that here ended
his quest of the Golden Gitl Straight she stood this
moment lovely of face roundeI of form, with indc
scrbablc suggestion % latent physical magnet
ism. On her temples there little 'aubs Of clay,
caased doubtless by impatient fingers sweeping back
rasionai wind blown locks Of hair. There was even a
daub the side of her handsome, sensitive nose
IIe- hand still filed with clay dropped to her side
ard tableau endured for minute two suggesting
remote period. Persian idyl, mayhap With smile
her lips she stared the living model The chatoy
eyes of the leopard stared back, flicker of rest
essness in their brilliant yellow deeps. The tip of he
tail twitched.
You beautiful tbing!" she said.
She began kneading the clay again, and with def,
fingers added bits here and there to the creature Which
had up under her strong, supple fingers.
Kathlyn! Oh. Kt!".
The sculptress paused the pucker left her brow and
she turned her face beamng for her sister Winnie
the apple of her and she brooded her like the
mother would have done had the mother lived For
Winnie, dark Kathlyn light, careless and
aimess thistledown in the wind.
A collie leaped upon the platform and began paving
Kathyn and shortly after the younger sister followed
Neither of the girls noted the stifenng mustaches OF
the leopard. The animal rose, and his nostrils palp
tated He hated the dog with hatred unmixed
with fear Treachery is in the of all re
breed them in captivity does not mater Sooner later
they will strike. Never before had the leopard been
close to his enemy, free of the leash.
Kit, it is just wonderful. However can you do it
Some day we'll make dad take to Paris, where yot
exhibit them"
snarl from the leopard, answered by growl from
the collie brought Kathlyn's head about The ca
leaped but toward Winnie not the collie. With a or,
of terror Winnie turned and in the direction o
the bungalow. Kathyn sezng the leash, followed lik
the wind, hampered though she by the apron. Th
cat loped after the fleeing girl gaining at each bound
The yelpng of the collie brought forth from various
points low rumbng sounds which presently developed
into
Winnie turned sharply around the of thu
bungalow toward the empty animal to attract her
father and at the time of the keepers
Seeing the door of empty cage open, and that il
was approached by board runway, she flew to it, en-
tered and slammed the door and held it. The cat
hot with the lust kill threw himself against the bars
snarng and splitting.
Kathyn called to him sharply, and fearlessly ap
preached him. She began talking in a monotone. Hi;
went fat against his head, but he submitted to he
touch because invariably it soothed him. because ht
scnsed some undefnabc power whenever his gaze met
hers. She snapped the leash his collar just her
father running up, pale and disturbed. He
the door and opened it.
Winnie you poor little kitten" he said taking her in
his arms. show many times have told you never tc
take that deg about when Kits leopard is of the
-Lleash?"
Il didn't think" she cobbed.
"No. Kit here and I must always do your thinking
for you Ahmed"
"Yes sahib." answered the head keeper
See If you can stop that racket over there Sadie
may lose her litter If it keeps up"
The lean brown Mohammedau trotted away in obedi-
to his orders He knew to stop captive lions
from roaring He knew how to nd terror to their
hearts. As Re ran be began to hiss softly.
Col Hare, with A;s arm about Winnie walked toward
the bungalow
Lock your pet up, Kit" he called over his shoulder
and in to ten"
Kathyn spoke soothngy to the leopard scratched his
head behind the ears and shortly low satisfied rum
bic stirred his throat and his tail longer sashed
about She led him to his ceasing talk
locked the door, then turned and walked thoughtully
toward the bungalow.
ahe wondering what this gift WAS that put awe
into the eyes Of the native keepers her fathers
wild animal farm and temporary peace in the hearts
of the savage beasts She realized that she possessed
II, but 1t beyond analysis. Often wild eyed
keeper would burst IN upon her. Some newly captive
lion tiger killing itself from passion,
wouldn't the memsahb at and talk to it.
There kind of pity in her heart for these pool
wild things and perhaps they perceived this pity which
fearless.
=
She gets little from me, suppose" Col Hare hai
once answered to query, for I've always had way
with four footed things But l think Ahmed is right
Kathlyn is heaven born. I've the night when
Brocken would be tame beside the pandemonium round
about. Yet half hour after Kit starts the rounds
everything quiets down. The gods in It."
The living room Of the bungalow was large and com
Portable The walls adorned with he heads of wild