Central High School - Red and Black Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

Page 14 text:

'w 'ILf- . ,W F ,,, 1 ' r 'X 'V ' fr' Q '- ' .. , . . la U' -- N :fi :g5Q'.fN., 3jT1 . I . - L., f . ., , -.5ti5Xig1QQ - ' ' ' L T YZWV foe 'f i l 71 1- wt'ifJT 'T? 'THE RED .'. A,ND .'. BLACK. no trouble for her and Rags to follow, for he was tied safely in her apron. The trio, unconscious of the fascinating June scenery of the little valley and tower- ing hills, carefully picked their steps along the wall till they reached the overhanging branches of the old oak by means of which they swung to the ground. Jemima untied her apron, and Rags, with a joyous bark, jumped out. Then, somewhat tiinidly, the four approached the trees. But instantly timidity took wings, and their constant chatter, once begun, was punctuated only by ripe cherries. Three little girls in cherry trees are not nmch interested in the outside world, but pres- ently Rags began to bark frantically, and Jemima. dramatically announced, lt's a man! The others looked up as if a man were perched on the higher branches or falling from the skies. To their VVhere? Jemima gave the intelligent answer, 'Tfomin' , and the three promptly fell from the trees and fied, with frantic screams, toward the garden wall. Jemima, however, stumbled and fell to the ground, apprehensively regarding her apron pocket adorned with the tell-tale red sfains of accidentally crushed cherries, amid the urgent summons of her safe com- panions. 77 The intruder approached and she turned her blue eyes to him with an aggressive stare. Each silently regarded the other with genuine curiosity. He was a young man of about thirty years, handsome, refined- looking, and athletically built. He looks as if he'd twist that old cat's tail if he got a chance, surmised Jemima as she observed his twinkly blue eyes. 7 wr'I1.fe 'iWonder what he thinks of my freckled nose and tossed-up hair. But l heard the grocer say I was a charming New England beauty anyway, so I don't care, continued Jemima silently. The truce was over, for Jemima scrambled to her feet, perked her saucy face in the air, and declared, Well? The young man burst into hearty laugh- ter. Astonished at his actions, she bent forward and stared at him till he said, tcasingly, Do you like my cherries? She turned and tied after her companions with the intention of never eating Stone cherries again. The next day excitement was aroused in Stoneville. The Old Stone House was to be remodeled. For weeks carpenters, painters and gardeners held sway and soon it was the finest home in the valley. Jemima, overcoming her prejudices, enjoyed herself immensely, 'watching from the wall the wonderful transformation taking place. Then, some beautiful furniture was shipped to Stoneville and Jemima sat entranced at its Hmovin' in. The young man with twinkly blue eyes had moved in. When- ever Jemima met him her nose ascended into the air, while his eyes twinkled more tantalizingly than before. Aunt Polly soon took pity on The Man Across the Road , and with a woman 's in- tuition knew that he would best be set at ease through the medium of a platter of doughnuts. Jemima was delegated to do the errand and she, after much persuasion, got Virginia Lewis to go with her as a pro- tection against his nonsensical sallies. They found him with the greater part of his six feet extended under a 'motor

Page 13 text:

1----.1 - ., . .. , . l l Agiffj,-'--'5 ' 'K' X .-wuxji '55 1Q'7'.Q':3f' '- v ' A L Q o . Lflf ,W ' ' ' ' .' ' av' glwitgglif in f - . ,. -,,, ,, . , .e Q x ,,. 4 y .1 .4 , ,. W , ,f - . M215tf'i1aJ.,l.5.,,9'- ea-. If-rvzvzf-r-'f . I., ,-1-L,-457 f , --V rw-'QA N -X 't ' 'swf , f' , . -'f--1' . ' - - .-.-P . :MQW f-2127: e -, '-'el 'LL '-'if-:7Z'W fAn 'ZM'7 f l - .tai Ft. m YfrJ ' ' 4 THE '. RED AND .'. BLACK DOWN PARADISE LANE By Frances Ruth , HE June sun beat down upon the drowsy little hamlet tucked away in a New Hampshire valley. A slight breeze stirred the leaves while the bees lazily buzzed around the fragrant honeysuckles. A motor ear whirled along the curling white valley road and left a cloud of tloating dust behind. Then blessed noonfday tranquility prevailed again until- ' ' Meow-ltIe-ow-fli-leee-ow, ' ' broke the stillness. HJemima, are you twisting the cat-'s tail again? ' ' Uh-Uh-Yes 'm. ' ' HSt0p it. t' Awright. ' ' After a haughty tlip of her curls the twelve-year-old girl flung old Thomas into the cactus-hed from whenee he immediately hied off to safety. Jemima Stone then sat down on the piazza, stroking Rags, the Scotch terrier, with impatient thumps. She was thinking of herself and the universe in general as she gazed at the large, rambling mansion J! ac-ross the road. lt was known as the Old Stone House,', for it and the surrounding estate had been owned by some members of the Stone family since they had come north after the Civil XVar. It had a dilapi- dated and forsaken appearance and was untenanted at present. 'fAunt Polly, Jemima often inquired, 't'Why don't I have some relations, too, and live over in the Old Stone House 'l Prudence Lane- lives in the Lane Lodge and Virginia Lewis lives in sion. . t'NVell your mother and Y when you were a little thing heard of any other relations Lewis Man- father died and I never except some that went down with your father's lake steamer. Mrs. Lewis said that an old grand-aunt, Cynthia Madison, owned the house, but she eou1dn't strike a good bar- gain in selling it, so it stands as it is. You know, your father owed her some money and she got the house when he diedf, She didn't want me, did she? Jemima continued. No, she didn't love anything except an old cat named La.dy Fluffy Dui or some- thing like that. Wclll, she wasn't much of a relation, just your mother 's aunt by mar- riage. She lived near my sister Sally in Kingston. ' ' t'So then you kept me? HYes, was Aunt Polly's reply as she eontinued her work. Grand-aunt Cynthia was now dead, but the house still stood vacant. Today Jemima.'s mind was active and restless. I know what I'll do, she exclaimed de- lightedly as she thought of the cherry trees, so temptingly displaying their fruit clusters on the Stone premises. Rags thumped his tail with appreciation, and within ten minutes she had summoned her chums, Virginia and Prudence, and was boosting them up on the garden wall of the old house. Once the others were up it was Eleven

Page 15 text:

F , W K Z K , I ,-: ' ' .' 1' :ff Q . - ' ' -- ' '.a5,:f!Q15 ' .iff i pu ,M 4 p V -ui' W v I fp .-Jwntanliuf U . 1- f2S'fL.', f,,,i?1.i J, I , . L., gf , Z ., -1 Vxfgfggg BRS' V .. -'fzf.f:fas 'lm Wwv -,H 1 ,ff-'FQ 'TTL sf'-ip T H E . R E D A N D .'. B L A C K ear in his garage. They giggled audibly as he began to crawl out. Fine day, ladies, he greeted, with a grin on his grimy face as he got to his feet. Want to shake hands? he continued teasingly, extending an oily hand. HI believe we 've met before. The little girls looked at each other un- casily, but Jemima, alert as ever, non- chalantly exclaimed, as al beautiful Angora cat walked into the garage, I didn 't know you had a cat. Did you ever hear them, when you twist their tails? It's more fun.' They yell like circus wild- cats. '4VVell, now, I've never tried that, answered The Man Across the Road. I don 't suppose Lady Angie Fluffy Muff would survive such treatment. f'H'm, such a name for a eat! My Tom survives, but he hasn't such a delicate con- stitution. But l do hate 'fee-lean' animals, don't you? questioned Jemima with dis- gust. l eouldn't help it, didn't want the thing in the first place, answered their host with a careless shrug of his shoulders. All this time Virginia Lewis gazed with rapt admiration upon her latest hero's grimy face. t'XVell, continued Jemima as she re- membered her errand, 'thly Aunt Polly sent over some doughnuts to you. How very kind of her, answered HThe Man Across the Road. VVell, aren't you going to thank her? questioned Jemima, with a sophisticated expression on her face. To be sure, but before l thank her T must know your name. Mine's Virginia Lewis, volunteered the enrapt Virginia. I live down the road near the bridge. Jemima iiashed an angry glance at the two as The Man Across the Road answered, It just suits you, but what 's her name?' ' he,asked, pointing to the now silent Jemima. Jemima St--H Virginia began, but Jemima interposed as quick as a flash, ' ' Stubbles. ' ' Virginia, surprised by Jemima's hand being clapped over her mouth, gazed at the man with a sort of knowing smile and he grinned back at her. WVhat's your name? she inquired. Call me J ack, he answered. Jemima, being tormented by her childish jealousy and anger, with an indignant Hip of her brown curls and an angry tlash from her eyes at the happy Virginia, said with scornful words. My Aunt Polly says we must always address our elders with an appropriate title and you 're supposed to be ill r. Jack. Virginia, enjoying the attention lavished on her by Mr. Jack previous to J emima's sermon, burst out in half-way suppressed giggles, and Jemima reddened. And right then and there she picked up a big, lively grasshopper from the doorway and calmly dropped it down Virginia 's back amid the girl 's frantic screams. Jemi1na.Stubbles, you are a terrible vixen, announced Mr. Jack with a. mis- chievous grin as Virginia instantly ran home, arousing the hamlet with her yells. Thirteen