Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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The Spectator I5 List to the restless throbbing silence of the summer night, Wherein the myriad ceaseless voices blend, A gentle whisper rustles thru the trees, Where softly stirs a wandering western breeze, Faint from the fields is heard the cricket's chirrup light, Clearly the tree-toads trill, Far off a whip-poor-will Calls thru the living silence of the night. The Duet By J. H. C. ,II T was within an hour of the time at which she had prom- ised to give an answer. Should she accept him? She was sure she loved him and he had' assured her that their life together should be more beautiful than all the success either had attained. But that was the question. On the opposite side of the room lay two violins, side by side, in their open cases. One was her own, the other-his. He had left it there in the afternoon, after the concert, in which both had taken part, perhaps as a second reason for returning that evening. , Crossing to where they lay, she caressingly lifted her own, tuned it gently to the other, and started to play one of her con- cert numbers, the one with which she had gained so much re- nown. Gradually she became unconscious of her surroundings and drifted away to the scenes she knew so well-the large con4 cert halls, the bright lights, the varied but always enthusiastic audience, and finally to the performance of that afternoon. The last vision, together with the eighth stroke of the clock, brought her to the consciousness of her whereabouts and to the realization that the time had come when she must make known her decision. Turning to the empty case she thrust the instrument into it, and dreamily gazing before her, addressed the violin re- provingly: VVhy should I hesitate on your account? You, 2. box of wood, a lifeless objectg You, a thing without a soul! -

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I4 The Spectator scurry, a few exclamations of Uh ! and then all was still with- in. The door slowly opened upon quiet and darkness, for the 'light had quickly been turned out. A tall, dark figure walked slowly in, and in a firm, solemn voice, demanded, What does this mean PI' A hushed silence followed and after the question had been 'repeated and still received no answer, the figure moved toward the electric light switch and turned it on. VVhat met the gaze of the intruder may well be imagined. Cushions thrown in every direction and girls huddled up in corners and some under the bed. Girls, I am surprised that you have so deceived me, came from the supposed matron. I will say no more tonight, how- ever, but I want to see you all in the principa1's office tomor- row. But scarcely had these words been spoken when the door opened to admit another matron. Great was the surprise and wonder of all and many exelamations were heard as the two tall figures stood facing each other. A suppressed giggle finally came from the one, as she tore oft the glasses, and, hanging' her head, repeated: I am sorry. Nina! came from a chorus of voices, as Nina slowly fol- lowed the matron out of the room on the ,way to the principal's office, for such an offense could not wait until morning. A Summer Night By H. K. ,II AR in the depths of yon mysterious dome of night' Bright and majestic reigns the placid moong In meadows broad and fair the moonlight streams, Soft on the mist-hung earth she sheds her beams, VVhere dewy blossoms nod, brushed by the night moth's flight W'rapt in their magic gloom . The pines gigantic loom Thru the soft moonlight of the summer night.

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I6 The Spectator i f But she stopped. It seemed to murmur. She stopped to listen and it whispered, NVe have been so much to each otherfl She was about to take it up again when the other violin made answer to her own, But we will play together. just then there was a knock at the door. She knew who it was and called to him to enter. He opened the door and stepped in, but hesitated. She was kneeling just oposite him, between the two violins. Rising slowly, she advanced to meet him. I have come for your answer, he said softly. Her head drooped, she struggled and finally won. Raising her head again she answered slowly, We will play togetherf, . -iii. I I V, Q ,. .