Galt High School - Highlights Yearbook (Galt, CA)

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KNIGHTS OF THE SILENT KINGDOM PART I Yes, Leonard, il know you are the Devere scapegrace but, son, even the wildest black sheep would be ashamed of your actions. There is absolutely no reason for engaging yourself to that joy Thompson. Wfhy, boy, she is nothing but a cheap actress, vulgar and unaccomplished. You must admit, yourself. that there is nothing to her but her looks. Yes, dad, 'I know she's not much there in the brains but her face sure makes up for all that. l know you think you can talk me out of marrying her, just because she isn't the first girl I've been engaged to, but you can't. I'1n going to marry joy. Do you hear me? Marry her, I say, and what's more, ,I'm going to marry her in just one month. I'm twenty-one now, and am old enough to settle down. 'l'm also old enough' to realize that brains and polished manners aren't everything. You don't see theirbrains, but you do have to look at their face. 'llhere's nothing you can say that will change my mind, dad. so you might as well hold your breath. ' After this last burst of childish reasoning, Leonard Devere' left the room. From his easy chair, Leonard's father thoughtfully watched his dark, hand- some son stalk out, and half unconsciously praised his son's easy, athletic stride. Leonard Devere, the oldest son of a very proud, aristocratic, family was, as his father had stated, the family scapegracef' His only ability seemed to be that of getting into scrapes and having impossible love affairs. Mr. Devere, whose voice carried much power in thepolitieal world, did all he could to keep his son from disgrace, but this time it seemed that Leonard's downfall was inevitable. Mr. Devere was still sitting in a deep study over this difficulty when his wife came to the door and inquired in her sweet way: Busy, john, dear? No, Louise, I am just thinking. Come in and help me. Mrs. Devere walked over to his side of the room, a proud example of sweet. gentlewomanly aristocracy. , VVhat is it that worries my husband now? I suppose it is Leonard's affair with that outrageous Thompson girl. Yes, Louise, youfre just right. I have been talking to Leonard about this last foolish engagement of his, but it is a harder affair to tackle than the most difficult political problem. Leonard is getting to be very set in his ways. But why is it that you do not appear worried? Surely you have not overcome your pride sufficiently to even think of accepting a chorus girl into our family as a daughter? Oh, john, exclaimed Mrs. Devere, surely you know me better than that. But I cannot appear worried when my mind is perfectly at rest. You see, I decided several days ago that something must be done immediately to break Leonard and joy up. Since then I have been thinking and I have decided upon a course to take. Wlieii you see Leonard again this afternoon, pretend that you have changed your mind in regard to Joy. Ask our boy to invite joy here for the week-end house party we are giving. But Louise, interrupted john Devere in a puzzled tone, that will only make matters worse. I-Ie will only become more attached to her. Uh, but john l laughed Mrs. Devere, how little you understand human nature. It is absence that makes the heart grow fonder-not intimacy. Leonard will her to his heart's content and he will have a good oppor- tunity to compare her with really eligible girls like Loreen LeMoine, a11d to see how utterly impossible she is in a renned atmosphere. VVhen the matter was mentioned to Leonard, he took the chance eagerly, and the next afternoon, just before dinner, joy appeared at the Devere man- sion. She was immediately shown to her room to dress for dinner. H Page Twenty-three

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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

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Dinner was to be served late in the evening because some of the guests were tardy and begged leave for more time to dress. The minutes seemed like ages to Leonard as he sat in the large hall, watching for his beloved to appear on the winding stairway. Down came several dignified matrons, then a group of young society buds, and at last he saw Jo-y's familiar form appear. 1-ler ravishing little figure was rather scantily clad in an evening gown of golden gauze, and her feet were covered with golden slippers. Seems to me she might have worn something not quite so stagy, thought Leonard. But just then her pretty, gypsy-like face, shaded with a mass of bobbed, raven locks, was turned toward him. Then he promptly forgot all about the inappropriateness of her gown. As she came closer, he heard her rather coarse voice raised in conversation with the girl by her side. just then Leonard recognized her companion. Loreen LeMoine! VVhy should Joy introduce herself to Loreen, of all girls! The thought did not at all please Leonard. Loreen LeMoine also came from an aristocratic family. She was a rather tall, delicately built girl. Her finely chiseled features were enhanced by her large, soulful blue eyes, fringed with long, golden brown lashes. I--ler hair of spun gold, piled high on her head, only emphasized the youth of her face and figure. Hers was not a face of beauty but rather of sweet. charming girlishness. Leonard knew that she was true blue and she was proving this now. She was doing her level best to be nice to the vivacious Joy but-was Leonard mistaken, or did he catch a look of pitying disapproval in her eyes? The evening had not begun well. Wliy was it that joy, with her gaudy clothes and loud voice, seemed to be so out of place here. Even her pretty face seemed to have a sordid expression. The evening grew Worse as it advanced. Joy had very poor manners. She grew confused about the different pieces of silver ware. Then she told a practically unpresentable story' to the company, but, worst of all, she tried to carry on a perfectly outrageous Hirtation with one of the younger men. Leonard caught several veiled, pitying glances shot her way from aristo- cratic eyes. The son of a Devere pitied? Impossible! l-lis inherited family pride rebelled at the very idea. This was what he would have to endure for years. Wliy is it Joy could not act like a lady once in a while, at least? thought Leonard. She had not shown up in this light when Leonard first met her in her own environment. His mother's plan was beginning to work and show effects. The next day proved to be even more humiliating than that evening and Leonard was really relieved when the house party ended. Wliile at lunch with his father, mother, sister and brother, just a week later, Leonard announced that he had broken his engagement to Joy Thompson. Then Mrs. Devere showed her lack of real tact. She told Leonard how she had foreseen the result and had planned the plot to break his engagement. Naturally, Leonard was indignant. I-le no longer loved joy, if he ever had, but his pride again rebelled at anyone, even his parents, interfering in his private affairs. Angry words followed. Leonard left the luncheon table and went to his apartment. His parents saw nothing more of their eldest son that day nor yet the next. Then a week passed and Leonard did not appear. At last, when months were growing into years, the Devere family realized that Leonard had, indeed, disgraced them. He had practically deserted them in a spasm of anger and had gone forth to seek his fortune-or misfortune. Mr. Devere raved like a lion and of course clisinherited Leonard, while his wife's tender Page Twenty-four