Cloverdale Union High School - Spectator Yearbook (Cloverdale, CA)

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“I think that it would be best for you to go with the rest of the children, ' ” replied Miss Arlington. “I feel that this trip to the country is just what you need. It will put some color into your cheeks and help you to feel more like running and romping as a child should do.” “But I don t want to go without Mabel. She will be so lonesome here without any of the other children and I think she’ll be lonely without me. She never likes any one to put her to bed or to comb her hair but me, and I really want to stay with her.” Nancy paused for want of breath. Miss Arlington knew the child well and realized that if she was set upon staying she would not be happy if forced to go. Nancy kept up a brave appearance until she saw the automobiles filled with happy, laughing children; then the tears came to her eyes and she almost wished she had gone with them. A minute later, however, when she went into the room where Mabel was crying with pain and disappointment she was glad she had stayed. It was hers to make Mabel forget grief and suffering. She told the best stories and sang the joiliest songs until lunch time. Then her weary little charge could hardly keep the blue eyes open until the meal was over. At one o’clock she was sleeping soundly. Nancy went to get one of her story books and saw the picture she had shown Mabel that morning. “And I never saw a creek,” she sobbed to herself, ' ‘not wild flowers nor—” She did not finish her sentence but took her book and went back to where Mabel was sleeping. The book she had brought was Freckles.” When she came to the part where Freckles learned of his mother and knew that she did not love him, Nancy stopped to wonder about her own mother. Maybe she was really like Freckles thought his was. Maybe she didn’t want me and just left me where some one would find me,” she said to herself. But she must have wanted me. I don’t think my mother would be that way.” She put her book down and pondered seriously. “I wonder if she’s alive. Maybe she is and is poor and has to work hard. I wish I could find her and help her. Poor little Mabel, she hasn’t any mother, either.” Thinking of Mabel made her want to do something for her, so she ran out to pick a bunch of sweet peas. A few minutes after Nancy left the room, the matron entered followed by a beautiful, refined looking woman. They went over to where Mabel was and Mrs. McBride leaned over the sleeping child. “Poor little thing,” she said, “such a baby to be without a mother.” Mabel soon awoke and Mrs. McBride decided that she wanted to adopt her. The matron called Nancy to tell Mabel good-bye. When she entered the room her eyes met those of Mrs. McBride. There was something about her plain, sad face that drew the stranger to her and when she looked into the kind, gentle eyes of the beautiful woman, the old pang of longing for mother love returned more strongly than ever. After a few minutes Mrs. McBride stooped and kissed Nancy good-bye, then, leading little Mabel by the hand, she stepped into the waiting automobile. 25

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he explained that it would not work over the ocean as the water short-circuited the metal balls. This was the time to use his second invention, the “Scarlet Ray ’ discovered by a German, but bought and perfected by himself. Whenever it was turned on and pointed at a gun, magazine, pistol or the like, it immediately exploded the powder. It could be adjusted so as to penetrate either short or long distances, through iron, wood or any other material. He mounte d one on the bow of the flagship and turned it on each of the Mexican ships in succession. He now adjusted it so that it would not blow up the magazine, which would destrop the ship, but only the guns and firearms so that the ship was made helpless. The whole navy quickly surrendered and then the remnant of the main army that held the capital did likewise, and our army marched triumphantly into Mexico City. Harold Smith was raised to second in command of the American army and his two inventions were bought by the government for one million dollars so that they could be used only for defensive purposes. Mexico was now thoroughly whipped and surrendered a few months later. All the disturbers of the peace had been captured. This freed her from their bad influence and she established a government modeled after that of the United States. Since she has the richest gold, silver and petroleum mines in the world, her future progress is assured. Nothing is ever heard now of revolution or assassinations. Mexico is on the road to prosperity. G. A. W. (§rpltmt Amur “Oh, look, Mabel, isn’t it lovely?” Nancy, a dark-eyed, sad-faced girl, was showing a picture to bright, dimpled little Mabel. Look at the trees! Wouldn t you love to climb in one of them? Just think, maybe we can wade in a creek like this one.” The children in the Orphan’s Home were going to spend a month in the country and all were excited over the prospect. Nancy skipped over to help some of the smaller ones dress. Like her namesake, Orphan Annie, she mothered all the little children, told them stories and sang to them. That is why the matron had given her this name, but because she lived in the twentieth century and in the bustling city of San Francisco, the more pretentious sounding form of Nancy was substituted for the familiar Annie. Nancy had an especial love for three-year-old Mabel, whom she petted and coddled as if it had been her own little sister. The neat blue and white gingham had been slipped over her head and buttoned, Mabel heard the honk of an automobile and climbed upon a chair to see if it was coming for her. 1 he next instant she uttered a scream of pain for she had slipped and fallen to the floor. Her ankle was sprained. The trip to the country was now an impossibility. She must stay here within these stifling walls—a prospect that made her cry bitterly. Nancy went at once to Miss Arlington and begged to be allowed to remain with her little friend. 24

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Nancy went upstairs and lay down on her little white cot and sobbed herself to sleep. She so longed for a friend like this beautiful lady. All the way home Mrs. McBride thought of Nancy. At the dinner table that night Mr. McBride made much over little Mabel, but Mrs. McBride seemed almost to forget the child’s presence. She lay awake for a long time that mgnt. Nancy’s sad, beautiful brown eyes were ever before her, and when at last she went to sleep she dreamed of Nancy. The next morning at the breakfast table she told her husband about it. They were to start for their beautiful summer home the following day and she told him that she could not leave the city without seeing again this little girl who had taken such a hold upon her. Mr. McBride laughingly told his wife to go ahead and adopt the whole orphanage if she wished to do so. In less than an hour they were once more on their way to the stern looking brick house that still sheltered Nancy. When she again saw the child she knew that she could never be happy unless she took this little girl as her own. She thought of the home and of the ad¬ vantages she could give her. As she was thinking she remembered her hus¬ band’s words that morning and knew how he would enjoy hearing the sound of the two children’s voices at their play. In less than five minutes she told Miss Arlington that she wished to take Nancy as her own little dau ghter. Nancy was too happy for words. Miss Arlington brought Nancy’s baby clothes and a little dress fell upon the floor. Mrs. McBride picked it up, and as she glanced at it the color left her face. She knew she had seen that dress before. She looked on the inside and there, as she had expected, were the initials N. McB. in fine embroidery. She knew the little skirts in an instant. She caught Nancy in her arms. “Oh, my baby,” she cried, “My own baby, Nelda. Thank God I have found my baby!!” She held her close while she told the matron her story. A little while before the San Francisco earthquake she had been called to Seattle by the death of her father. Her husband accompanied her, but, as their baby girl was not well, they thought it best to leave her at home in the care of her nurse. When they heard of the earthquake they hurried back only to find their beautiful home in ruins and no trace of their baby girl. Every effort was made to find her, but at last they gave up the search, thinking that the baby must have perished in the fire. Zelma. 26