Hudson High School - True Blue Yearbook (Hudson, WI)

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but you’ll have to hurry for If Dad saw you he’d bo furious. I must prepare—so adieu.”' Again she was gone. The fellow picked up the newspaper that lay upon the stand and was soon intent upon reading. Como, your Majesty, dinner is served.” mirpicked Laura a few minutes later with a courtly bow The man looked up. his face deathly white. What is it?” cried the girl. Nothing, nothin .” The man struggled for composure. Folding the paper he hastily secreted It in his pocked, unnoticed by the girl, and then followed her from the room. Delighted, the man gazed at the tempting food. This looks good to me. little lady;” he said, too bad there is no one but you and cranky Dad to enjoy it.” No. not cranky, just queer. You see he means to i»e good, only when I was a little girl, about three, my brother Jack, he was sixteen, ran away. Dad has nevet been the same since. He never lets me go anywhere or have anyone hero—but then, a mere man could be interested in my troubles, so here’s for something more cheerful.” No no. go on. What about the brother; ever heard from him?” I don’t know much about it tor you see Dad doesn't speak of it often. Brother Jack was young and willful. His one ambition was to ree the world. Well, it was too much for him. One morning we woke up to find hint gone. Dad prays every night for his safe return but never a word from Jack.” “Have you ever thought of what he might be?” The man appeared more and more interested. Thought? Why. man. I’ve spent nights of agony thinking. Per- haps he is a criminal or a murderer, hut I'd rather have him dead than that.” The man turned around. “If he were that, a murderer, would your father forgive him? Say he had committed the crime under the Influence of liquor.” No—“no. go on. What about the brother; ever heard from him?” ”It would depend on the motive and his actions afterwards. If he acted like a man. we would forgive him too gladly: If not. It would be impossible to respect him. let alone forgive. Oh! hut 1 shudder to even think of it. The man arose very much excited, and coining toward the girl he grabbed her arm roughly. She shrank hack. Forgive me, ex- claimed the man when he saw how frightened she was. hut what would you call acting like a man?' . Why. Oh—why, pleaded the girl, do you ask these questions? Can it be that you know something of my brother? The man evaded the question and repeated his own inquiry. This time the girl was forced to answer. I should consider that he had acted like a man if ho had given himself up to proper authorities and confessed. Judges do show' pity in such cases and give the prisoners a chance to reform.” Just then the girl glanced from the window. Fly, man. fly for your life. she exclaimed, here comes Dad. Out the front way quick.” The fellow ran. hut when outside, stopped and peered around the house gazing intently at the man coming from the barn. Muttering something to himself he walked away, holding his head a trifle higher than when he first entered the yard. Soon he passed out of sight over the distant hills. Mr. Knight was a tall, dark man with black eyee which flashed very Indignantly at I-aura when he saw dinner was not ready. “No dinner.” he stormed, hurry along now, Ictura. I can’t wait all day. Your paper is In the other room, father. Read that while you are waiting.” said I aura calmly. Mr. Knight went Into the next room hut. soon returned empty handed. Scolding violently ho demanded where the paper was. Ho had not found it on the stand. I’m sorry, father, was all I aura said. Nevertheless she wondere 1 where the paper had gone to. The days and weeks flew by, each seeming more lonesome than the proceeding one to Laura. At length one evening, a messenger came from town bringing a very important letter. It was the first [.aura could ever remember seeing. It was addressed to her too. Very much excited, she tore the envelope open. Who could bo writing to her? Dear Laura. it began—

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In the dead alienee which followed he could neither hear nor see anything in the adjoining passage, although he felt that someone was there. Finally there was a soft rustle again and all was still. Madge backed quickly toward the low ledge which she had be- fore designated as the place to put his surrendered goods, and at the same time kept him covered. He motioned to her to stop. Madge. ' he said. I want to know two things and. since I admit that you have the best of me. I think it only fair that you answer me. First. How did you discover this cave; and second, how did you get in here?” Yes.” she replied. ”1 intended to tell you. in fact I wrote it down. You will find it when I am gone.” Quick as thought she turned and fled into the darkness. He tried to follow her but having dropped his tlashlight he could not find her. He went back to get it and found on his return the slip of paper which she had left on the ledge. It read: 1st. My father and the father of the boy who sold you the farm were brothers. Father told me of the cave. 2nd. As you face spot where this paper lies reach right hand ahead and touch wall. To close, push opposite side of ledge with left hand. Amazed and puzzled he complied with the directions. With but a slight touch. I he rock wall swung outward w’ith the slight familiar rustle. He climbed out through the aperture. It was densely overgrown with vines but could be easily penetrated. By the faintly breaking morning light be discovered this to be right above his own house on the hillside. No sound was at first distinguishable and no sign of disturbance could be seen. Could this be a horrible dream? But no, the distant hum of a powerlul nuto, the carrier away of his fondest hopes, proved its reality beyond a doubt. I might have known.” he murmured bitterly, “that I couldn’t match cleverness with her.” KVA KELLY ’16. THE PRODIGAL SON. “1 do wish someone ever came along these roads.” said Laura Knight plaintively. Here I am with this table halfway through the 21 door, and not another inch can I budge it. Time to get supper too. How Dad will rage!” Could 1 help you any.” drawled a man's voice. I«aura started, and upon turning perceived a man who had come quietly up the walk and had evidently heard her words. Oh d ,” Laura stammered, If it wouldn't be too much bother. You see I just must get this in.” The strange visitor lifted the table Into the room, then started towards the door, the girl watching him suspiciously all the time. Suddenly he turned, smiled cynically at the girl and said. Guess I'll rest a bit. I’m about done up. Walked a long way. Do you mind?” No, surely not, here’s a chair.” I aura endeavored to be court- eous although this was not the kind of a visitor she fancied. The man doffed his hat, and took the profTered chair. Pretty lonesome in these parts isn’t it?” he queried. Lonesome, I should think so. You’re the first person I’ve seen for six months. Sometimes I think I’ll die sure ’nuff.” Don't live here alone, surely? Almost.” returned Laura. It’s just F»ad and me; Dad’s rather queer; likes to be alone. Mother was different but—she ” the girlish voice quivered, she left us years ago.” The tnan w-as silent for a time and after some moments she tripped quietly from the room. The man looked after her. A brave girl and a mighty pretty one. he thought. The stranger was a man of perhaps thirty or more. Tall and angular with a slouching attitude. A slight breeze blew the gray hair from his temples. His eyes were dull and shifting and his face was fut rowed with llre3 caused r.o doubt by dissipation. His lips were lax. characteristic of a perron with a weak will. His hands twitched violently and from lime to time he walked nervously to the window and gazed down the road. Once he felt in his coat pocket and pulled out something bright and shiny. It was a revolver. He shook his head thoughtfully. No—no.” he murmered. it won’t do. and he put it back into hiding just as Ij»ura appeared in the doorway. “Could you give a fellow a bit to eat. Girl? I’m famished,” he coaxed. “Perhaps,” I.nura was slightly agitated. Yes. Mr. Man I will;

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“You see. little person. 1 know your name. I look your advice. I waa a. murderer. God forgive me. I have given myself up to the authorities and am now In prison awaiting trial. I can only trust in God; but say one prayer for me tonight. Hid you miss the paper? I took it. My picture was there under the name of Ben King. Tho day I came to your house the police were after mo. I was mad 1 thot of shooting you and—but 1 don’t know why I didn't except that you seemed to put some pride into me. You need never tell your father this. 1 saw film and then realized who I really was. Forgive me little sister and goodbye forever. Front your brother. JOHN KNIGHT. As Laura sat. still, dazed with the news, her father came in o the room. Thinking of the letter, she reached for it. but her father had already seen it. My God. girl, he cried, “A letter! let me see it at onco.” Laura endeavored to keep it from him but he snatched it from her hand and read it. John - he moaned, my son. is he a murderer? Has he been here? Father listen.” soothed his daughter. “He was here some weeks ago on the day dinner was not ready on time. I did not know he was my brother then; hut I told him shout Jack and he asked me If you’d forgive him if he turned out to be a murderer.” Forgive hint! The man’s voice was husky. I told him you would, provided he acted like a man In the matter; that is. gave himself tip to the authorities and confessed.” Knight grabbed the girl. Are you mad. I iura?” he cried. Have you driven my son from me again, advising such nonsense?” But father, we can at least respect him for that. Perhaps the Judges will have a little compassion and he will come back to us.” A' krock wrs heard at the kitchen door and Laura ran to open it. A man stepped inside. “Hello. Sis! he cried, as he took her in his'arms. “John. John, is it really you?” she exclaimed. “I thought 23 O. My God!- I thought you were behind prison bar ..” “They had the trial yesterday, and I am no murderer. I shot, but the bullet from my partner’s gun killed the man. He has con- fessed and I’m free. 1 started the day after I sent the letter and I traveled tome to get here about the same lime as It did.” Scowling deeply, Knight came out to investigate the confusion. “What’s the-------” Hut he never finished, for I.aura laid her hand gently on hi mouth. “Father. she murmered. “Aren’t you going to welcome home your son, John? He is no murderer.” “My son.” Tears ran down Mr. Knight’s cheeks as the two men shook hands. “Welcome home. You are forgiven. I’ve been a hard man. but from now on everything will he changed.” “Come. Laura, my child, forgive your father!” he begged, and holding the hands of both his children, he prayed that they should ever after be by bis side. Written by Gertrude Kelly ’17. IN THE LAND OF THE CACTUS They had lived here for a year and a half now. Arthur Wilkes, his wife and their only son. Tom. who was twelve years old. Tin debt had been paid off sit Chlhauhnu. three weeks ago. and they were just beginning to enjoy life when it happened. After the chores had been done one evening. Wilkes was return- ing to the house carrying a milk pail nnd Tom. whom Wilkes said he was going to train to be a cowboy, was trotting at his heels, when he noticed coming up over the grassy plains a cloud of rolling dust. It resembled the attack of an oncoming tornado, for with it came a rumb- ling noise. He stood for sonte time gazing across the stretch of open prairie and then picked the boy up and almost mechanically started for the house. Upon entering the {house he told his wife of what he had seen and together they stood in the window watching and waiting, for what they did not know. Things happened rapidly in the next half hour. An army of ban-