Johnstown High School - Spectator Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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26 THE SPECTATO R office. For the first time he noticed how tired he was. The un- usual strain of the last hour had probably been too much for him. Reaching- his office he lay down on the couch. “After all, he muttered drowsily, “it’s funny I thought I loved Betty Haynes. She isn’t in it with that nurse. She cer- tainly is a peach. I’ll have to become better acquainted with her.” A Valentine MARGUERITE FRY, ’l2. All the furniture had been hauled out of the two great front rooms, the carpets taken up, and the floors waxed till they shone, for Helen Reynor was giving the annual valentine dance. She and her sister Kathie had festooned walls and ceilings with little red hearts, so that .they no longer looked like ordinary rooms, but more like Cupid’s palace. Kathie, the vivacious, the talka- tive, was wonderfully quiet all the while, speaking only when forced to. She was really a puzzle to Helen who, in all her life could not recollect Kathie’s ever before having such an indis- position to speak. Repeatedly she asked what the trouble was, only to be told bv the resentful Kathie, “Why nothin’s wrong; may I not be quiet if I wish to?” So Helen went merrily on with her decorating, too happy over the coming dance to be much worried about her sister’s taciturn mood. At evening came the guests. While the dancers glided over the floor to dreamy waltz music, Kathie stole away to a big bay window, which was partially screened from the room by curtains, and curled herself upon the window seat to think. She knew well why she had been so silent, even though she did not confess it to her sister. Stealthily she drew from her wide, silk sash half of a tally on which was written, “Will you be my valentine?” Six years ago she had written on the other half, “I will,” had torn it off and teasingly given it to Jack Farley at one of the valentine dances. They had been good companions all their school days, but after his family moved away she had seen him no more.

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THE SPECTATOR 25 not alone in the room. And he had good reason, for this man whom he was called on to save was no other than the despised weakling who was to marry Betty. The thought flashed through his mind that fate was kind for had he not wished for a chance to revenge himself not more than fifteen minutes ago and here was his opportunity literally thrust upon him. He had not even had to chase after it like most men. but only to reach out and grasp it, as it were. His brief exami- nation had convinced him that an immediate operation was necessary and he knew that if he did not perform it, Dr. Jones would, and he felt certain unsuccessfully. So all he had to do was to refuse to operate and his revenge would be complete. Even though he had not been sure whether he really loved Betty or not. he was now convinced of one thing, that he thoroughly disliked, even hated this man who lay before him. But his con- science was not to be crushed so easily and his better self now asserted its influence. No; he would not let himself be so weak and cowardlike. His duty was clear. He must save this man’s life no matter what it cost him! So he stood there shaken by- conflicting emotions, now determined to act one way and the next moment equally determined to take the opposite course. His face was stern and the play of feelings was plainly discernible from its expression. He had become entirely oblivious to the fact that there were others in the room waiting on him. when he was abruptly reminded of this fact by a low voice at his elbow: “Is there anything you wish?” asked one of the nurses. He look- ed up suddenly and became aware that this was a new nurse, one whom he had never seen there before. A beautiful girl he de- cided, one at whom any man would have taken a second glance. And truly when she smiled at him the world did not seem so dreary after all. So with one last effort he regained control of himself and set to work, for he knew what this girl would think of him if he refused, and somehow or other he did not wish to let her get a bad opinion of him. He had already lost too much time and now it would require all his skill to save the man. Feverishly he worked. Never in all his life had his fingers moved so quickly, his nerves been so steady, or his hand so sure. Finally, he finished and with a sigh of relief he realized that he had saved one more life. Now he watched the new irurse. How deftly she worked! How graceful every movement! Such a woman he thought should not be here, but in some man’s hony making him happy. Soon she left the room which then seemed to him to have grown suddenly dreary and lifeless. After removing his operating clothes he started toward his

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THE SPECTATOR 27 Over and over she told herself, “What a silly girl I am to think that Jack Farley still has that tally and ever gives poor Kathie Reynor a thought. Why there are hundreds of other girls to think about besides me.” She determined to forget the old card and was even tempted to tear it up, but something persisted in telling her to keep it. Meantime designing Cupid, hovering near her, interpreted her thoughts and slyly flew away to the town hotel where lonely Jack Farley sat smoking in his apartments, his father having sent him to attend to some affairs concerning their old home. Lighting on his shoulder, the tricky little fellow whispered something to him which made Jack absently reach into his vest pocket and draw forth a torn old tally. He stared at it and then suddenly re- membered. “By Jove! this is Valentine Day! I wonder if they still have their dances? Does Kathie have that tally yet? O, what a fool I am to suppose she even thinks about me any more!” He shoved the bit of paper aside resolutely, puffed away at his cigar, but could not forget Kathie. Jumping up he swung into his overcoat, grabbed his hat, and dashed down the steps to the walk. “Hang it all, there can’t be any harm in walking over to her house and peeping in,” he soliloquized, walking off in that di- rection. Well pleased and chuckling to himself, Cupid sped away, happy over what he had accomplished. In ten minutes Farley stood before the familiar house. Yes, there they were dancing as of old, but—where, where was Kathie ? Nowhere among the laughing dancers could he find her. Then remembering that the bay window was her favorite haunt, he walked over to it and peeped in. There she was—more beautiful than ever and—what was that in her hand ? Surely it was not— yes, it was the tally! Waiting for nothing else, he walked straight through the un- locked door, tiptoed across the floor, unnoticed by any one, and stepped inside the bay window curtains. Kathie, looking up when the curtains were whisked apart, saw him and was too startled to cry out, but vainly tried to conceal her card under a pillow. “Ah, Kathie, you can’t hide it; so won’t you please tell me again you will be my valentine?” he pleaded. Finding herself caught, Kathie surrendered, and her silent mood was ended.