Phillips High School - Phillipian Yearbook (Phillips, ME)

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THE PHILLIPIAN 17 dollars, on the condition that he spend, for one week, only pennies, no other coins or bills to be used for anything he may pur- chasef! jerry smiled. He believed his conditions to be the simplest yet read. The four waited breathlessly for Virginia's. It was: To my great-niece, Virginia Carring- ton, I bequeath five hundred thousand dollars, to be left in the hands of my law- yer, until she reaches the age of twenty- one, when she shall receive the whole amount, on the condition that she spend a week at my home at Shadow Falls. The whole house is at her disposal for six nights, but on the seventh she must, at midnight, go to my bedroom in the east wing, and spend the remainder of the night there, all lights to be turned off. .linny shivered. She knew what a lonely, gloomy place Shadow Falls was, and her aunt's bedroom-why, that was where the old lady had died! The remainder of the will read that in case the family did not comply with the conditions as stated, the money would go to a charitable institution. The lawyer lin- ished and looked out over his glasses which were perched on his nose at an angle, where Virginia always watched -them for fear they would drop off. Well - he said expectantly. Mrs. Carrington spoke coldly, Aunt Sara -could not have been in her right mind. She decidedly wasf' Mr. Trent replied. You would have no grounds if you tried to contest the will, and you would simply be cut off altogether. Preposterous! Mr. Carrington de- clared, utterly so. 4' Think it over, Mr. Trent advised. Two million dollars is nothing to laugh at. But-may I have your decision to- night, as soon as possible? You, if you ac- cept, will have to begin to fulfill the con- ditions at twelve o'clock tonight, you know. Virginia will have to go to Shadow Falls, and Mrs. Carrington to the cottage. I be- lieve you may see each other during the day, so long as you do not help in any way. I shall rely upon you all to comply with the conditions, if you do accept. Mr. Carrington stiffened, If you will have dinner with us in an hour, Mr. Trent, you may have our decision then. The lawyer left the room, and an hour later, when the five sat down to dinner, the answer was, Yes . II Jerry offered to take Virginia to Shadow Falls, and, as the car entered the driveway Virginia looked at her watch. Five min- utes of twelve. At midnight she would be alone, with only the servants, in the op- posite wing. In a panic of terror she clung to her brother. I can? do it, Jerry! I'm so fright- ened! Take me back! UAW jinny, be a sport! jerry patted her consolingly. It won't be half-bad. You can stay in the library and read, ex- cept for Saturday night and you can see Mother at the cottage, and I'll come out after this week. Buck up, Sis! They entered the house and Jerry switched on the lights in the library. A fire had been built in the fireplace, but the corners of the room were dark and gloomy. The grandfather clock ticked loudly, and Jerry, with the parting words of: H Say, Sis, if you get lonesome, think of what a figure I'll cut with my pennies. Darn Aunt Sara anyhow! was gone, and -Iinny was left alone as the clock chimed twelve. The next noon Jerry was passing through the hall when the telephone rang. He answered and heard a familiar feminine voice. That you, jerry dear? Uh huh, he replied, thinking, 'I Sylvia Carr, of all people! It is Sylvia, came the voice at the other end of the wire. Don't you want to take me out to lunch? Jerry hesitated. Th-ose pennies! He 'd feel like a fool. Sylvia wouldn't, of

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16 THE PHILLIPIAN LITERARY THE GRIT OF THE CARRINGTONS 1 SlLENCE hung over the library of the Carrington house as the family lawyer, Mr. Trent, read the terms of the will. ' Mr. Carrington, a pompous-looking gen- tleman, was ensconced in an easy chair. He loved the little luxuries of life, indeed, his -desire for them was second only to his love of speech. His children were wont to say that he must spend his spare time in studying the dictionary that he might im- pr-ess people with the long words that rolled so easily off his tongue. just now he was leaning back, pulhng at a cigar, in silence. The will was that of his aunt who had just died, leaving several million dollars. Of course, since the Carringtons were her only living relatives they would be well-situated. His wife, a haughty, aristocratic lady, was seated near the lawyer. Their son, a youth who bore the unmis- takable stamp of college, was swinging his legs carelessly as he balanced on the edge of a chair where his sister, Virginia, was curled up cosily. jerry was listening. Aunt Sara was such a queer old duck, ran his thoughts, that her will was sure to be interesting. Virginia was the least interested of the little group. Her inheritance, since she was only seventeen, would probably be left in the hands of her father, who already gave her a liberal allowance, so why worry? The droning voice of the lawyer went on: K' To my nephew, james A. Carrington, I bequeath five hundred thousand dollars, on the condition that he speak neither to his family nor to any other person or dumb animal, for one week, the week to begin the Sunday after my deceasef' The lawyer's eyes twinkled as he heard the man gasp, but con-tinued: 6' To my niece, Harriet L. Carrington, I bequeath five hundred thousand dollars, on the condition that she live at the gardener's cottage, on my estate, for one week, doing all of the work which may be necessary for her living. The lady lifted her head, but as the rest looked up to see how she was taking it, she said nothing, and he read: To my great-nephew, Iereld Carring- ton, I bequeath live hundred thousand

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18 THE PH course, be openly amused, but he had a vision of her smile when she saw him pay the check in pennies! A' Oh, you needn't if you 'd rather not, she told him. But I do! 'i Jerry insisted. H I'd love to! I 'll drive around for you. An hour later they 'sat at a cozy little table. Jerry had prolonged the meal as muc-h as possible. They 'd have to leave sometime. He glanced at the check, and frowned. Sylvia smiled 'as she drew her furs closer around her n-eck. jerry tried, Sylvia, I have a little busi- ness with the manager. Why don't you wait in the car? But I don't mind waiting here! Not at all ! . Sylvia would be like thiat, jerry thought furiously. The next few moments seemed like ages, as he, with his face very red, counted out the pennies. He dared not look at Sylvia. She tucked her 'arm in his as they went out. Jerry, dear, how unique! was all she said. As he left her she told him she was go- ing away for a while. jerry feigned dis- appointment, but in reality he decided it was the best news he 'd heard for years. Sylvia was so persistent. With her gone, maybe he could keep away from the rest of his friends. He drove home where he found his father fuming silently. Jerry -grinned as he went upstairs. Poor old Dad. Maybe the pennies aren't so bad, after all l Meanwhile Mrs. 'Carrington had eaten her lunch-the first meal she had ever prepared. The meat was burned, the vegetables only half-cooked, the dessert which she had tried to make from a recipe in a cook-book she had found, was a com- plete failure. Virginlia found her trying to wash dishes, and then jerry came. They talked over their troubles. Virginia had slept on the couch in -the library, the night before, and she told them -her part wasn't ILLIPIAN half-bad, while Jerry related his experience with Sylvia. Mrs. Carrington had been terribly humil- iated by a visitor. The Mrs. Van Derick, it seemed, had called, while she was sweep- ing the floor, to ask about a club meeting. She had had on an apron, not exactly clean, and later .had discovered that there were two smudges on her nose. She could never meet that woman again, and feel completely at her ease. The week was drawing to a close. Vir- ginia had had little to frighten her at the old house, but today was Saturday. That evening she went into the library and picked out a book. Oblivious to everything she read it through. When Hnally she tin- ished, the grandfather's clock struck a quarter of twelve. Virginia felt that it had an ominous sound. In another quarter-hour! That fifteen minutes was like years! At 'two minutes of twelve Virginia bravely turned off the lights and started upstairs. It was so dark! Her imagination made the harmless curtains, the stair-rail, the very doors, take on a ghostly aspect. But-as she paused before the door of her aunt's bedroom, her hand on the knob, it swung open. A shriek caught in her throat. She entered-the room was in utter darkness. Virginia., feeling ther way, edged toward a chair and sank down into it. Terror seized her. She prayed for unconsciousness, but it did not come. An eerie, long-drawn wail li-lled the room. For hours she sat there. At intervals ghostly forms seemed hover- ing about the bed. Then came the wait like that of a lost soul. Would morning never come? Suddenly her eyes were blinded by 3 Hash of light. A familiar voice told her, 'K You 've certainly earned your money. Mr. Trent stood before her, smiling. Virginia shuddered as she glanced about the room, which the sunlight stripped of all its horrors. Is it really over? It really is. Mr. Trent smiled. There wasn't anything to frighten you,