Galt High School - Highlights Yearbook (Galt, CA)

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the stage, all excitement. She was alone, but she knew that she would soon be in the land of her dreams. Early next morning, Mr. Harlan knocked furiously on Ben's front door. lien hurriedly dressed and went to the door, trying to assume an air of indifference. Do you know anything of my daughter ? he demanded, hastily. ' Nothing more than she left last night, on the city-bound stage! Ben replied. You made no attempt to dissuade her? he inquired. lt was none of my business, and do you realize that she is already eighteen years of age, and is privileged to do as she pleases F Ben asked, ardently His indifference in the matter and persistent efforts to evade I-larlan's conviction caused the latter to become very angry. XfVell, you might have persuaded her to stay. At any rate, I thought more of you than thatf' he retorted. He slarnmedi the door with an actual force, so unlike him when in a pleasant mood. Mr. and lVl'rs. Harlan began early in the forenoon the search for Geraldine. but only to return late that night without the slightest trace of her. Witli Geraldine's laughter and cheering no longer to be heard and the young folks only dropping in occasionally, their visits growing farther apart, the Harlans' home soon became gloomy and despairing of amusement. A pall of deep gloom enshrouded the beautiful home. 'l'wo weeks later Ben resigned as foreman. All efforts of his employer to keep him from going were fruitless in spite of offering' higher wages. Mrs. Harlan followed him to the gate. lf you see anything of my little girl, you'll surely let us know, Ben P 'llear-filled, pleading eyes were raised to him, and he swallowed a lump in his throat. 'I'he minute l do, you'll hear from me, he promised, patting her on the head. I might be lucky, he added, and then set forth on the quest. Arriving in the city of Los Dalos he lost no time hunting for her. He searched the studios for her: but only to find that the description he gave was like her, but that she had in every case left either an hour, day or week before he came. Sometimes when he was riding in the street cars he imagined seeing her many times, but when the car stopped at the next block he found her gone. or someone was there remarkably resembling her. For weeks and months he kept pondering on the quest and traveling from one city to another and from state to state, in vain for the one he loved. His money almost exhausted, he had to lind work. ln the same desperate manner he earned money to buy food and fare so that he could pursue the runaway girl. From one town to another, boarding freight trains, ever watchful of the face so familiar, he earnestly endeavored to End and bring her home. For four long years this weary search continued. Then one New Year's eve. as he was leaving a brilliantly lighted cafe in San Francisco, he was pushed by the hurrying erowdinto a neatly dressed-young woman. He was astonished to recognize the face as that of Geraldine. Benny ln- Vffelcome in her voice gave him an impulse to take her in his arms, but he refrained from this and laughed happily. V I-low are you, and where have you been P he managed to say. But she, heedless of his inquiry, asked: ' l-low's mother and dad P I really don't know, Geraldine, l left several weeks after you did, he told her. l've been traveling everywhere to find you for them, he added. Page Twenty-one

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Llllljidftfj LURE OF THE STARS I Geraldine closed the door of her bed room very softly and tiptoed down the dimly lighted hall as the clock at the foot of the stairs chimed midnight. Cautiously descending, she reached the 'front porch without mishap, and with her suitcase in one hand and her best hat carefully wrapped in a newspaper in the other, slipped away into the darkness. ln the distance she heard the throbbing of an automobile engine, which soon developed into a fast approaching roar. 'llwo lights came into view as the machine swung off the main highway, looking much like the eyes of a fearful dragon. lt was her father, she knew, coming home from the city. She rushed into the large orchard near the road, and slipped away. The auto rolled by and drove into the I-larlan driveway. At last, now she was safe. Soon she would be in the Land of Her I-feart's Desire. Someday, when her pictures were Hashed on a thousand screens and her name blazed in elec- tric lights above the doorway of cinema palaces her mother would forgive her for leaving as she had done. She almost reached the boulevard when the Figure of a man approached her. A scream died in her throat as she recognized him. l did not want to frighten you, Geraldine, I saw you hiding in among the trees and so I followed you I It was Benny Jardith, her 'fatheris foreman,-war veteran. student and adventurer, with always something suggesting the mysterious in his dark eyes. Well, you did! You scared me almost to death. Nobody asked you to follow me l Relief, sarcasm and rebuke blended in her tones, but she wouldn't tell that she was running away. Once he had risked his neck to get a flaming crimson Hower for her, blooming in a mountain crevice. Love? Geraldine had mentally shrugged her shoulders at the thought. She had ambitions. Besides he was far too old. He must be at least twenty- four, and to her eighteen summers, it certainly did seem ancient. l really didn't know it was you, he lied, quickly. You did toog why don't you go back where you belong? Of course she referred to his tiny cottage where he lived alone. VVhere are you going? asked Ben, his tone solicitous. None of your business ! This in a hnal tone of dismissal. Geraldine! There was a pleading note in his voice, new to her: but she chose to ignore it, and walked rapidly away. On reaching the boulevard, she glanced at her watch. Giving it a hurried glance and finding that the citybound stage would soon be there, she hurried on toward the station. Ben, helpless, and worried, turned to go home, feeling that a heavy burden was due him in the morning. ln exactly twelve minutes Geraldine boarded Page Twenty

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And you made a tramp of yourself for me ? A note of understanding, tenderness, and appreciation, never before manifested in the rebellious, lovable little tyrant he had known. I was glad, indeed, to do it, he tenderly replied. She told him what she had been doing, relating to him all of the incidents regarding the studios, theaters and even washing dishes in hotels and restau- rants to earn money for clothes and food. Her other cherished dreams had fallen in the dust, but with each fallen cherished ideal, an appreciation of home entered, but with stubborn, defiant resolution kept on. I've been a fool, and I'm ready to go home, she glanced up with tear brimming eyes, that is, if they want me ? Want you, why, they want you more than everything on earth. Four hours later they were home, not the lovely home that she had left four years before. Weecls had grown, and windows were unwashed and covered with spider-webs. Ben managed to get in and they put a few things in order, and he said: I'm going down to the Judge and ask him about this and maybe he can find your mother and dad. I don't want to be alone, she protested. There was something in her voice that made him turn suddenly and seeing surrender in her deep blue eyes. he took her in his arms and kissed her endearingly. And I don't ever want to leave you again, he breathed. flf've loved you since I first met you. This place was a wilderness without you and I spent not a happy moment until I found you. Can you blame me for being a tramp P A tramp ! - He bade her an affectionale good-bye and went to the office and found that the place was not to be rented unless the tenants were suitable and they must deposit fifteen hundred dollars as a security. Wlieii Ben returned he told her of the situation. And then she left the room for a few minutes and soon returned with a tiny box. Here, she said. Astonished, Benny didn't know what to say. Geraldine told him all about it and said for him to go and purchase the lease. Several hours later Ben returned with the lease in his pocket, very happy. We got tired of living here, they explained, and sought everywhere for what we just found here a few minutes agolv Mr. and Mrs. Harlan had come to look over the house and had found Geraldine preparing lunch for herself and Ben. Mr. I-larlan left the room and immediately entered. Pale and frightened, he accused Ben, saying: You knew where I had the box, now what did you do with the money ? He was really very angry, but only for a short while. Father! I knew where it was. Taking the lease out of Ben's pocket she said, This is what I made him do with it. Mrs. Harlan said, Now, dear, you owe Benny an apology, and Mr. Har- lan agreed by responding, Indeed I do ! How can I make it right with you, my son ? Ben whispered to Geraldine and she nodded her assent. A vagrant breeze stirred the blooming trees outside, Hlling the room with the sweet scent of the orange blossoms. If you can spare the time, there is going to be an exclusive wedding at the church in just about an hour. If I am not mistaken, the law says that at least one witness must be present. He then fondly took Geraldine in his arms and kissed the blushing maiden full on the lips. So the lure of the stars had faded. -Elizabeth M. Lauchert, '24. Page Twenty-two