Leominster High School - Magnet Yearbook (Leominster, MA)

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THE MAGNET 9 After an instant, Paul’s disappointed eyes lighted, but he tried to sub- due them. He nudged Aubrey under the table. “Say, old man, I bet it’sthey. May be this is that trick that you spoke of. We'll act as if it was. What do you say?”’ Further conversation was checked by the propinquity of the masquer- aders, but Aubrey looked a ‘‘ Yes” at his companion. ‘Miranda, let’s sit here, at this table, with these young men. May be they'll read our bills of fare for us, seeing we’re without our nigh-to specs,”’ the boys heard one of the women say. “It’s just as they say, Rebecca,” answered Miranda. ‘Do you mind our sitting here?’ the first speaker continued, address- ing herself to the young men. ‘‘ We thought that we might get you to read our bills of fare for us. Neither of us has very good eyesight.” “Certainly. Sit down,” cried Paul, cheerily. ‘We're glad to be of assistance.”’ “Oh! thank you,’ exclaimed Rebecca. ‘I hope we shan’'t make you too much trouble.” Aubrey imagined her voice sounded a little like Rhoda's. so he an- swered in his most pleasant tone, ‘ No trouble at all, I assure you, madame.” 7 Paul saw that Aubrey was getting along well, so he turned his atten- tion to Miranda, whose features, he began to notice, resembled Enid’s. The meal passed pleasantly; the conversation did not lag, and many jokes were cracked. When they had finished eating, Paul thought the mas- queraders would disclose themselves. He was, therefore, surprised to hear Miranda inquire if it would be too much to ask him and his companion to accompany them home. The place was within easy walking distance, she said, but the sidewalks were so treacherous on winter evenings that she dared not risk a fall. Paul began to doubt if these were Rhoda and Enid, after all, but he answered gallantly, ‘‘ With the greatest ot ‘pleasure, and I’m sure Mr. Phippard is willing.” “It would be no trouble at all,” that young man replied. The company sallied forth. {ndeed, it did seem that the poor old ladies—for such both young men now somewhat disappointedly believed them to be—did need an escort. When at last they drew up in front of a large stone-front house, and Miranda informed them that this was the place, Paul inwardly kicked himself for ever supposing that they were Rhoda and Enid. Both Paul and Aubrey would have liked to make a hasty de- parture; but the kind and exceedingly grateful old ladies insisted upon their going in. In their uneasiness to get back to Lunchini’s to see if Rhoda and Enid had yet put in an appearance, it was all they could do to be courteous, but there was no escape. After entering the house, Miranda and Rebecca ushered Paul and Aubrey into a well-furnished parlor and bade them wait a few minutes. Paul looked toward Aubrey. “Ahem,” he let out through closed lips. Aubrey looked up with a not very cheerful countenance. “Aren’t we'in a mess?” continued Paul in a whisper.

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8 THE MAGNET The Intrigue ¢6TSN’T it about time we turned up at Lunchini’s?” Aubrey Phippard rather impatiently asked of his fellow pedestrian, Paul Vauston. “For heaven’s sake, fermez votre bouche,’ replied Paul in an exasper- ated tone. ‘“ By the number of times you've asked me that question, I | should think you were a five-year old kidand I his big brother. We said © in our note that we’d be there at 5.45, and it’s now only five; so why rush down there? Why not enjoy the sights?” “ T wonder if those girls will keep their word,’ Aubrey said fora reply. | “Tt would be just like them to play us some trick.” “Of course they’ll show up,” said Paul, emphatically. “They’re not the kind to go back on their word.” “They seemed to be made of the right kind of stuff at the game,” add- t — ed Aubrey, in an effort to encourage his confidence. ‘And our finding out — just by chance your being related to Rhoda by the way of Robin Hood’s | barn makes our inviting them to lunch and the Dramatic Club’s ‘show’ a little more ‘proper,’ as the etiquette authorities would say.” ‘| confess, myself,” said Paul, “that our acquaintance has been rather . short; but then, as you hinted, Rhoda’s father—whom I’ve never seen—is the brother of my aunt’s husband. That fact alone,’ he added, good-hu- moredly, ‘“‘ought to quiet any fears we have on the propriety of our invi- tation. I hardly thought, though, that they would accept so readily, as they'll probably have to get their mothers’ consent.” ‘“Perhaps Rhoda’s mother has learned of your excellent character from your mother through your aunt, your aunt’s husband, and her own hus- band,” explained Aubrey, trying to keep his face straight. Paul laughed in the manner of a person who likes to appear modest about his reputaton; and, for a few moments, there was a silence which was at last broken by Aubrey. “Isn't it about time we turned up at Lunchini’s?”’ he asked, roguishly. Paul pulled out his watch, and after looking at it said, “ Yes, follow me, Gaston,” | After a short but circuitous route through the intricacies of Boston streets, which Paul, who was from Iogth street, corner of 5th Avenue, New York City, was just beginning to master, the two entered a small, but very cosy and attractive restaurant. They took seats at a table for four in acor- ner of the room, and waited. Aubrey looked at his watch. ‘It is 5.40,” he said. ‘If the Misses Rhoda Pennington and Enid Weldon are ladies of their word, they will be here in five minutes.” Aubrey was still holding his watch in his hand when, at 5.46, the restau- rant door opened and he and Paul both looked, expecting to see the two yonng ladies for whom they were waiting. But when the door had closed, they were both disappointed. Coming toward the table where they were sitting, were two feeble and elderly women.

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10 THE MAGNET “You got us in,” said Aubrey. “Any fool could see that they're real old women, and not young girls, masquerading as such.” “Then why didn’t you say so before?” asked Paul, his voice rising a little higher. | “You thought you knew it all,” answered Aubrey, ‘and for a while you almost made me believe you did.” There was a slight rustle, of skirts, and both voices were hushed as two young women entered the room. They advanced, then stood still. “Miss Weldon!” exclaimed Paul simultaneously with Aubrey’s, ‘“ Miss Pennington! ” There was a momentary pause, and then Aubrey burst out with, “‘ Well, Paul, hereafter I will not doubt your intelligence and power of insight.” “Allow me,” said Paul to the young ladies, passing by Aubrey’s decla- ration, ‘‘to compliment you on your realistic character take-off.” He fin- ished with a solemn bow. “And allow me,” put in Miss Pennington, ignoring Paul’s bow and turn- ing to two young-looking middle-aged women who had just entered, ‘to introduce to you Mrs. Miranda Weldon and Mrs. Rebecca Pennington,— Mr. Vauston, Mr. Phippard.” Paul’s usual readiness slipped from him; he was completely ‘‘ squelched.” But Aubrey, with an engaging smile, sprang to the rescue. “l’believe we've-metbefore.” This was the last straw, and all burst into a merry laugh. “This is mamma's birthday,” explained Rhoda, when the mirth had ceased, ‘‘and she and Mrs. Weldon have been celebrating it. by renewing their own college days.” | “If tonight is a sample, I’ll bet they were good in dramatics,” said Paul, honestly. “Speaking of dramatics,” remarked Mrs. Pennington, ‘if your ‘show ’ begins at eight, hadn’t you better be starting? ” “Won't you chaperone us?” asked Paul. | “Tam sorry, but Mrs. Weldon and I have another engagement. Be- sides, we're satisfied that you don’t need chaperoning.”’ “There! what did I tell you, Enid?” exclaimed Rhoda, laughing. “I knew there was a method in their madness.” And amid much merry laughing, Mrs. Pennington and Mrs. Weldon saw the young people off. John R. Miller, 09. A Parental Paradox Mother: Off you go now and take the car for school. Son. Yes’m. Mother: And remember this, young man, if you miss it, you'll catch it. —Facts and Fanctes.