Adel High School - Scarlet and Black Yearbook (Adel, IA)

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sfo:-.rum -, va. ,, v.. ,, ,W Y ,., f ,., Y, ,W ,W Y, ,,. ,, v.. ,, ,,. v, ,., Y ,,,Q. The Inevitable Ending 'fn - vi -- -1- -vv- Y. -- -Y -.- -, v.. Tv.--of , -W -, -J -W v.- Y -.- , .--Qs ARJORIE OSBORN looked from the office window down on everybody seemed to be full of new life and vigor. Most of the women were looking at the gorgeous array of new hats 1'- in the windows or glancing sideways at the glass fronts to see how their own looked. But Marjorie's thoughts were neither with hats nor women. Her thoughts, rather, were completely and wholly with a group of children she had seen that morning. Barefooted and happy, they were as carefree as the birds and squirrels around them. As she remembered their joyful cries, she wondered if it were possible, if only for a little time, to go back to the realm of childhood. Her own childhood had ended abruptly on account of a sudden change in fortune, which resulted in the death of her father. Her mother died soon after and Marjorie now lived with her aunt, Mrs. Gray. All day she dreamed of wading in warm, sunny brooks, which tumbled cheerily through flower-decked woods. That evening she confided the whole dream to her aunt and that worthy woman, who was wise and experienced, listened gravely and marveled secretly at the fancies of youth. At last she said, Well, I really see no reason why we shouldn't spend our vacation in this way. I know an exact spot. Oh, tell about it quick, Aunt Marjorie, pleaded Marjorie. Is it close to the woods, and is it vine-covered, and are there little children near? lt is all of that and even more, answered the elder Marjorie. And so it was settled. Marjorie asked for her vacation in May instead of July and a week later as the train stopped at a little station among the hills, she and her aunt stepped off and were seen shaking hands with an elderly man standing near by. This is Mr. McLean, said Mrs. Gray to Marjorie, and he has promised us his home up here for a couple of weeks while he is away. I can't see, though, why you two women want to live there by your- selves, even for that short a time, remarked Mr. McLean. Just a whim of Marjorie's, explained Mrs. Gray. ' About an hour later Mr. McLean stopped the horses before the most entrancing spot Marjorie had ever seen. just back of the vine-covered house were the woods and Marjorie could already hear the tinkle of a brook. That evening was spent in arranging their few belongings, but the next morning Marjorie was up early: in short skirts. barefooted and with her long brown hair in two braids down her back. First she explored the woods. waded in the brook, then she picked flowers to her heart's delight. That afternoon she met some children at the brook and then came the first of her disappointments. She tried in every way to make them treat her as one of the crowd, but always there was a questioning look in their eyes, as though she were treading on forbidden ground. , 1 the surging mass of people four stories below. It was spring and

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A number of days passed and Marjorie played alone. Then one day as she was sitting on the bank of the brook she heard someone whistling, and, looking up, she saw a tall, bronzed young man. Parting the bushes, he stopped short and stared at her fit seemed to Marjorie, for a full minute. Then he tipped his hat and said, I beg your pardon, I didn't know anyone was near. Marjorie laughed. She liked the looks of this young man and decided to try once more to find her lost childhood. Won't you come and help me? she asked, 'Tm trying to find a place to build my playhousef' After this the days went faster. Marjorie told her aunt about it. and the older woman smiled queerly. He was invited to dinner and while there told them that he was home from college for the summer and that his name was Robert Burton, that he loved farming and he also related many other facts about himself and his neighborhood. Then one day the inevitable happened. When all was going smoothly, Bob suddenly ruflled the even current by asking Marjorie to marry him. Oh, Bob, she cried. Now you've spoilt it all and when I was having the time of my life. We're children, Bob, we can't Marjorie was actually tearful. Don't children play house? he questioned gravely. Can't we too? Please say yes. Yes, but- began Marjorie. There, you've said it! he cried, and so, hand-in-hand, they ran to tell Aunt Marjorie, who, wiser, than most mortals, didn't say, I told you so. D. D. 'l6. I've taken quite a fancy to you, dear, And I'd like to paddle your canoe. And I fancy you could love me, dear, Or you wouldn't act the way you do. There's something in your style and manner, There's something seems to tell me true, It's just because you are my little dearie, You're the sweetest little girl I ever knew. H. V. M. 'l6.