Madera Union High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Madera, CA)

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PURPLE AND WHITE. 5 sponse to his interrogatory glance. “I was there four years ago, I believe.” “Indeed? The very year we made the thip,? At this moment, to my intense relief, the ‘hlonel snapped his watch loadly. «Bless me, it is but five minutes till dinner. Harry, I am going to take the liberty of old acquaintance and leave you im sole possession of the tire while Bob and I go up stairs and brush up a bit. Mrs. Parker is very particular about my appear- ance at the table. Bob. Wonder where that young rascal Ted is, and his Come aunt. too? They ought to be down here very soon.” «And here they come!” as the door through which the two men had I said to myself, just passed was again opened. I sincerely hoped it was only Ted, but, as I turned around, I saw that it was Aunt Charlotte, and she only. I waited for her to speak, for I could think of nothing to say. “What, Mr. Harwood, all alone, with only the fire for company!” There was streneth in her hand-clasp that spoke of friendship, but as her eyes flashed full into mine, and [caught the glimmer of gold in her hair, I found it hard to think only of friendship then What I said was stupid enough, but for just a faint moment it was over. though. “T tind the fire an excellent friend to-day, Mrs. Thoruton.” her to laugh, but that is exactly what she T certainly did not expect did do, and that right merrily, although I must confess she tried hard to overcome it. There can be nothing more trying to a man’s good nature than to have a woman laugh at him and not know why. T hadn’t the least idea what the provoca- tion was, but knew that I must have com- mitted some fatal blunder, off-hand that the safest and easiest thing to and decided do was to throw myself on her merey and make a clean breast of the whole affair. if wasted no time beating around the bush, but went straight to the point. “Mrs. Thornton,” I said, I have a con- fession to make——a confession to make and forgiveness to ask.” still roguish, “it isn’t so very necessary to make Light break, but I refused to see. “Perhaps,” she said, with eyes confession.” was beginning to «Tell me why it isn’t necessary,” I de- manded. “Because I know all you care to confess- O, you thought I had no memory!” she added with fine scorn. “Then you recognized me at the Senior Ball?” “T couldn't be sure at first, but it wasn’t lone before you told me all I wanted to know.” 3ut you said —I began. «Yes, IL know, I said that we have never Well had we? didn’t really count.” met. That first meeting “T don’t see why you couldn't have been as frank as I.” “You frank! I thought you exceedingly politic and so I wanted to tease you- besides,” looking down ‘at the fire very demurely, “I wasn’t so very sure— then— that I should ever care to undeceive you.” «You have indeed a wonderful memory,” I remarked rather irrelevantly, when I had partially recovered. “Ts it so much better than yours, then ?” “Certainly,” said I, “for I had but one face to remember, while you had three.” “Then suppose that I didn't try to re- member three ?” I tried hard to eracefully unconcerned, look unhit and seem and would have succeeded pretty wellif my right foot hadn't cot tangled up with the heavy fire tongs. As I stooped to pick them up, and without giving me time to reply, she continued : «And now I have a confession to make.” I was prepared for anything and just let her go on. “Tt begins at the time of our first meet- ing-—which really wasn’t a meeting, you know—in the dining room of that hotel. Well, when I discovered that I could under- stand what you boys were saying to each other, I felt more amused and interested than anything else. I should have been indignant, I know, but I wasn’t a bit—just then—and so in a spirit of pure fun I

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PURPLE AND WHITE. of a waving cluster of pink carnations against a background of pale green, and my Looking at my mutilated and almost forgotten program, I conscience smote me. saw: “11. Waltz—Miss.C. carnations. Green dress—pink In a moment more I had bowed myself away and was gone. When I squeezed Teddy’s hand at the door after the last dance, he insisted on my dining with him on the following Sunday. There was really no need of insisting. “Aunt is staying with us, you know, and you haven't been over since Fritz left for Germany. Besides I want you to meet my uncle.” “ Yes—do come.” I looked at Aunt Charlotte and said I would. It may be as well to confess at this point as at any other, that I was beginning to be—well—very much interested in Teddy’s aunt. And, if I must admit it, I was not so very anxious to meet his uncle. While walking thoughtfully home that night, I tried to reason myself out of this but I soon found my- self arguing more stoutly on the other side, strange fascination: sO gave if up hopelessly, yet—it must be For there the thought that perhaps I had been mistaken after all, confessed—rather cheerfully. came to me, most strongly, and aunt Charlotte was right—perhaps we really had never met before. And in that case — Here my imagination ran riot a full mo- ment, but suddenly became paralyzed and grew cold as the image of a bald-headed gen- tleman arose before me, and the disjointed fragment of an impromptu telegraphic dis- “He All my ardor Eee me. patch flashed sternly before my eyes is my husband!’ Try as I might, I could not scatter the vision. Confound that freshman!” I growled, as I turned out my light a quarter of an hour later. “Why couldn’t the youngster tell me his aunt’s name? Or why,” I muttered after the fourteenth turn, “didn’t I have enough gumption to find out myself?” Fred Parker and I had been classmates and boon companions for the four years of our college life, and I had frequently been a guest at his home. So on the following Sunday, when I was ushered into the large, old-fashioned family library, I was prepared to feel very much at home. Colonel Parker, warm-hearted and impul- sive always, came forward and grasped me cordially by the hand. e “Harry, stranger. youre a perfect Ive half a But he held on to me nevertheless. stranger, a mind to turn you out!” The wind had been in the north all day, and upon the wide hearth blazed a cheerful front of it, genial warmth, sat a gentleman half buried wood fire. In enjoying its in the depths of a large, easy chair. Mr. Thornton—just from the east to enjoy our said the Colonel, Mr. Harwood, my brother-in-law, glorious California climate,” with his cheerful humor. As Mr. Colonel Parker’s introduction, I that he wore a black skulleap, but I knew that underneath there reposed a head as Thornton arose in response to noticed innocent of hair as a billiard ball. I knew Recognition was quicker the case of his wife. Aunt Charlotte was wrong; we had But somehow that fact didn’t add him at a glance. if anything than in met before. materially to my happiness or comfort. I was sorry now that I had come, but tried hard to ested. Mr. Thornton, although an easterner, had look pleasant and seem inter- traveled extensively throughout the west and was eloquent in his praises of our great The glories of Yosemite in particu- lar, excited his warm admiration. Yosemite. The name seemed familiar. I could feel the cold chills thrilling down my spine, and I felt about as comfortable as a man with the toothache. His Mine sank lower with every word. state. enthusiasm mounted higher. “But pshaw!” the midst of a really powerful description, “itis folly to paint Yosemite to one who her he exclaimed, stopping in undoubtedly has himself witnessed beauties many times.” “ Why—oh—ah—yes,” I stammered in re-

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PURPLE AND WHITE. answered. wicked, but it was a great temptation.” Here she paused and became intently IT suppose it was very absorbed in the mosaic work in the hearth at her feet. For my part, I was well con- tent to listen and to talked. slowly— watch her as she Presently she continued, but more “Of course I wanted to punish you as severely deserved, and to do it effectively I had to convert a very innocent and harmless-looking brother into a formid- able, The effect was magical as you know, and even more as you awe-inspiring husband. so than I desired. In fact, I was so over- come that I had to leave the after, The sight of those three empty chairs was more than I could stand!” table shortly myself. Light was coming in now on all sides in perfect streams and floods, and for the time I was dazzled. “Well, sir, what have you to say to my confession? Do you understand now why you were laughed at? “Miss Thornton,” last found my And am I forgiven ? I said, when I had tongue. “I was just won- dering whether I could ever forgive myself for having been such a fool.” “QO, that should be easy. for you.” Was she looked up quickly into her face, but she had turned Let me do it mocking me? £ away. «You have evidently forgotten my first exhibition of folly,’ “By no means, and I hope I never shall. It was too funny to forget. But I it long I think now that I must fone forgiven you from the very first.” “From the first? What could have made your heart so charitable ?” are rash to undertake it. You I said humbly. [ forgave ago. “I am sure I don’t know—do Ours I thought I did. And when we were all seated around the table a little later, I unburdened my soul and told them the whole story, just as it occurred. though not, perhaps, as fully as I have told you. Whereat there arose great mirth and wonderment. at the dinner, And somehow— But what further happened and what other interestine events subsequently took place, seem to have no direct concern with this story need not be related here. However, it might be mentioned in con- clusion, that Charlotte—I shoulda say Aint Charlotte—decided to postpone her eastern trip indefinitely, and went to Yosemite Valley We talked and talked of many other places, but she voted Yosemite every time, and I finally gave in thereby establishing a very bad precedent, I feat It is hardly necessary to add that we went by way cf Wawona. But this time Aunt Charlotte and T sat on the same side of the table. and instead. ea Sg ES MISS BOVARD’S RECEPTION. BY HELEN HOSLER. LSS BOVARD, Principal of Madera e High Se hool, entertained her pupils f the Yosemite Hotel, beautiful moonlight evening in May. in the parlors of one The rooms were tastefully and artistically deco- With the every member rated with choice roses. excep- of the High School accepted the kiud invitation and spent a very pleasant evening. tion of two or three, A ie gressive game oce upied the greater part « the evenine. In this Miss Gertrude ah Many other games wards was awarded the prize. interesting and aAMUSsIN were in- dulged in and last, but not least. there was music. Some of the girls favored us with plano solos, while Mr. Howell kindly sented, after much coaxing, to render several con- solos. These were sung in his usual charm- ing manner and were very much appreciated. Miss J ning voice, pleased the audience with music. Dainty served about 11 o’clock,after which the whole Imma Casey, with her sweet and win- and delicious vefreshments were party joined in singing the popular airs of the day, and sweet refrains could be heard floating through the air for several blocks away. As the hour was growing late all de- parted for their homes, pronouncing their teacher a pleasing and erateful hostess, and were more charmed—if possible—with her than ever before.