Drake University - Quax Yearbook (Des Moines, IA)

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1904 laid a hand gently upon the dark curls that were her joy and pride. Tell me all about it, dear: come. But the boy only shook his head, and she was about to leave him, when a young man in a blue sweater almost ran over her. Oh, pardon, he said, shortly. What is the matter? Matter enough. Ioan go in-make a world's record in the pole vault at the World's Fair, if I cut this off, pointing in despair to the adornment on his upper lip. What can Ido? My poor boy, -1904's tones vibrated with sympathy- I cannot advise you. You. and you alone, must decide between them. Where are you going? At the abrupt question, 1904 turned quickly. Nowhere in particular, she answered. Well, why don't you go somewhere? I don't see why people don't do things. Why doesn't the class stick together? Why don't they ring the chapel bell for our exercises? Why don't the boys ask us all to go to the Alumni ban- quet? Why doesn't that girl pay up her Y. W. dues? And she dashed oi? to ask her. - Out under the trees a youth was holding court in the midst of a bevy of pretty maidens. They vanished at 1904's approach, and the youth greeted her with an innocuous smile. Want to know about it? Well, I couldn't call on them all-I'm going to work in the hay fields tomorrow-so I thought I'd let them call on me. They like it. Sit down awhile. No, I won't interrupt. Only don't forget your razor when you go a-haying. Quite apart from this frivolity. 1904 found a daughter poring over a mon' strous book. Oh, meine liebe, she cried. Sie mussen heute nicht studierenf' But I am so tall, complained the girl: and I'm not brilliant nor popular, so I have to be a good student, because that's all there is1eft.' Alas! thought 1904, there is another-why, there she is! Hello there! the girl called out cheerily. Isn't this fine? I'm just going to a reception. Yes, I'm on the programme here later. No, my speech isn't ready, but-I'll bluff it through. It's such fun to bluff. And with another beam- ing smile she sailed on. Somehow 1904 now found herself in a secluded valley, where many trees and no houses abounded. A log, worn smooth near the middle, lay before her. To many a 1904 do you owe that smoothness, she spoke to it. But a voice, evidently from the log, exclaimed petulantly, It wasn't many. I tell you! It was only One-and Another. For many years the One has come. and each succeeding year, the Other that he brings is not the same Other. I-Iow long must I listen for the end?-but see how cruelly he has cut me. --Ah. there were incisions! Two letters-W. A.-a third indistinct. I cannot help it. 1904 replied. I-Ie is unruly and will not obey me. Somewhat later she stood by another log. whose history enjoyed more variety than the first. The swinging log was not alone, and a pair of blue eyes, on 25

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ECK5 CHAPEL - 132119. OMMENCEMENT was almost over, when 19041 awoke one morning with the feeling that she ought to do something. So the thought came to say good bye to the dear, well known spots dedicated to her memory. Not that she decided all at once about it. Such a proceeding was far from the nature of 1904. But she deliberated for some time without reaching a conclusion, and finally determined to start out and decide on the way. First to the Senior room! Because it was the dearest spot? Oh, no: but because propriety demanded a decent farewell of it. She had lost her key, but the janitor consented to let her in. There the order and neatness was appalling. Even the pillows were scarcely disarranged on the softly inviting window seat. Only a peanut far down in the corner recalled a revel of days gone by. As she slowly mounted the stair, 1904- met one of her own children, who held a manuscript tucked closely under her arm. Why, its my novel, the pet' ulant voice answered to 1904's question. It's just finished. The name? Oh, Hugh Bert, from the hero, you know. So? smiled 19044, turning aside to the German room where Mother Rid- dell was holding forth to two other children. I like a short name. she was say- ing. A simple, common one, isn't it? Yes, so do l. A common one. that's reasonable, answered the quiet voiced one. Yes, chimed in the other madchen. A short name is always better. Naturlich, murmured 1904-. Then softlyshe trod through the library, far down to the corner, where an empty chair, between the tiers of the Bible section, spoke an eloquence of sadness. The Institution of Inquiry into the Psychologi- cal Spirituality cf Heterogeneous Evangelizationu was in its place. Our Gregory is gone, the shelves chanted in sighful melody, and 1904- felt the echo in her heart. Out in the hall. a little one was leaning against the radiator. His eyes were fastened upon space: his face was filled with sorrow. Come, Jacky-boy! 24

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whose lashes the tear-drops yet trembled, greeted 1904: I was just thinking, she was told, that there isn't anyone left to swing me now. Where's Win? asked 1904. His mama wanted him. Then I will swing you, she cried. Heigh-ho! She forgot her athletic fame, and her strenuous effort resulted in a crashing that brought the girl to the ground at an unusual rate of acceleration. No, l'm not hurt, the girl panted. But our dear old log is finished. Just as well, said 1904, for so are we. They told me you came in this direction, broke in a voice behind them. A nice mess you've made of it. lf your mo- if you'd come to swing me, it wouldn't have happened, retorted the girl. 1904 discreetly took herself away. After a moment's walk, she halted sud' denly. Someone was talking. She heard a gentle voice say: Yes, Murve -- The woods are full of them, she thought, panic-stricken, as she cautiously withdrew. Back in the walks of civilization 1904 saw approaching her. with an inde- pendent, dare-you-to-deny-me air, a well known igure, surmounted by a red tam. Where are you bound for? She asked. None of your business, came the gracious reply, in a voice as dangerous as the angle at which the red tam was set. Come along, if you want to: I'm hunting bugs for Prof. Ross. No, thank you, answered 1904 meeklyg I fear I haven't time. She was feeling rather badly called down when her hand was grasped vigor- ously, and she beheld before her a solid youth who planted his feet firmly and looked up into her eyes with an expression of calm determination. I-lello, 1904! he began. Been looking for you to say good bye. Me'? -- Yes. The Delphics are all out. All the other fellows are saying good bye to someone. lf you don't want to --- Oh, but I do, interrupted 1904 quickly. Only it is so unusual for any of you to want me. I feel the honor very highly. No honor at all. It's all here, he answered brusquely. A few moments later, on the campus, a yellow head, leaning against a large oak, attracted her attention. The owner of the yellow head and her companion were both deeply engrossed in something the former held in her hand. Coming nearer, 1904 saw that it was a common wood violet, whose petals the girl was removing one by one, while her companion repeated the usual formula. There, Zona: see? holding up the petalless flower. He does. 1904 went away as stealthily as she had come. These quiet girls! Who would have suspected them of being sentimental? 26