Galt High School - Highlights Yearbook (Galt, CA)

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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

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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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heart was filled with sorrow and her nights with tears, over her best beloved's actions. PART Il Six long, lonely years had passed since Leonard Devere had thrown aristocracy to the winds and had gone over the hills and far away, none knew where. The Devere family knew not whether he was dead or living, living in luxury or starvation, married or single. Wfith Mr. Devere the name of Leonard was a forbidden subject, but his gentle wife could not forget and Every night upon her knees she prayed the Lord above, To please bring hack again to her the only boy she loved. Financial matters had not gone well with the Devere family, either. Four years before, Mr. Devere had planned on being elected governor of his state, but through graft and crooked politics he had been cheated out of his office. There was another hidden reason for Mr. Devere's defeat. Before the election, a reporter had asked his views on the Secret Election Rings. Mr. Devere had told the reporter, among other strong phrases, that he considered the Ring a cowardly, criminal organization, composed of vagabondsg a menace to the United States Government, religion, morals, and civilization in general. All this and more, the reporter had duly written up and it was given a prominent place on the first page of all big daily newspapers. M r. Devere realized that public opinion is greatly influenced by the read- ing of newspapers, but he little dreamed that that article could have such an edect upon his election. I-le had heard rumors of a ring organization in his city, but he little guessed that it was to work against him and his honest principles. Now the election was near at hand again, and at first Mr. Devere's hopes had been high, but of late they had dropped down, down to the ground. This year there was to be more corruption among the officials than ever, one of these election rings had been 'formed around Mr. Deverels strongest, weak- inoraled opponent. Lying lectures, propaganda, bribery-practically no stone of graft was left unturned by the ring in their attempt to secure the election of their man. They had their reasons for doing it. High position in big pay was in store for their promised reward. XfVhat chance had the pride of honest hlohn Devere against a stone wall like that? M r. Devere never thought how his honesty and pride were to have their rewards: he little guessed that there was to be an open election ring formed for the protection and support of the honest and high-minded. One evening especially, his spirits were very low as he was carried home in his car. I-lis campaigners had brought unusually disheartening reports this afternoon. There was not a chance left for him in the world. VVhen, after removing the traces of the office and donning a fresh suit, he went down to the living room where he was met by several bright eyed young girls. They were his daughters and some of her closest friends, among whom was l.,oreen Lehloine. VVell, well! VVhat has caused all these pretty eyes to shine so brightly P he inquired as he went into the room. Oh, Mr. Devere, you should read what we have been readingli' exclaimed Loreen. She, like all of Mr. Devere's daughter's friends, was very interested in politics at present, and watched the papers carefully. Mr. Ilevere took the paper from her hands and read the headlines, Big Plot For Croocked Election Disclosed, Secret Service Undermines Political Ring. Then he went on to read that a big secret service agent, who had received a mysterious clue about this ring, had silently taken up his work and so ferreted out the plots and the leader of the gang. Then Mr. Devere saw another big notice stating that as this agent was unknown to the people he feared they might not believe merely his written statement so the next morn- ing at ten o'clock he would give a speech in the public square and would Page Twenty-five