Rockland High School - Cauldron Yearbook (Rockland, ME)

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16 THE CAULDRON Fireflies appeared and a soft breeze stirred the trees bringing with it the drifting fragrance of the Wisteria to add to the beauty. It was while gazing upon this star spanglecl night of beauty that he began to think of the many things that were yet within his grasp. He looked at his watch. June had telephoned that she would arrive about ten. It was only nine now. He still had an hour before June arrived--june who had freed herself of sorrow and the past. She was stepping forward to meet the adven- tures which awaited her. Couldnlt he, too, reach for life in all its brightness and beauty? He was sure he could with June's understanding and sympathy. They two together would venture forth into a new future. He rose and gazed Heavenward. The breeze made a choir of the pines. The maples bent in prayer. For a moment he knelt and offered thanks for such a worldl such a place, such a companion as June. Then he went into the house with a new light in his eyes and thankfulness in his heart. Margaret Meldrum 'KSLOWVLYD Slowly, I opened my eyesf, sang the girl in a lilting, haunting voice as Duncan listened. Faster and faster turned the wheels of his black convertible coupe as he heard tlie girlis charming voice come over the radio in his fashionable ca1'. Anyone meeting Duncan for the first tfme would notice his immaculate clothes and well-groomed appearance. 'Ihey would also notice his unsteady eyes and weak chin. Duncan was not a good person to know. He was one of the smart 400', of Riverview who always had his own way and his difliculties were always straightened out for him by his uncle, Judge Adler. But tonight he was running away because his uncle was dead. . . murdered by Duncan. He could no longer straighten out Duncan's troubles for him. The young man winced as he remembered Uncle Homer's anger at him the other day and how he had said: No, I will not give you any more money and I refuse to pay your racing debts for youf, The older man did not often lose his temper, but this time he pounded his fist on the desk in his study and shouted: ,nl have tried to bring you up in a Way that I thought best and you wouldn't pay any attention to me, but now, he continued in a towering rage, I am through, absolutely through! You will have to earn money for yourselff' With these last words he had slammed out of the room and

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THE CAULDHON 15 driver and the roads were icy that December day. But she had only laughed. Then, a short time later, the car had skidded and crashed. Bill had been killed, and jean had been dragged from the wreckage more dead than alive. The shock had left her half paralyzed. I-Ier speech was only a mumble. When she recovered she was told she would never walk again. After this she never ceased to rebel against the fate which bound her. She just lay on her pillows with tears coursing down her cheeks, her eyes begging him to understand. The days dragged by and he gave up his business that he might be with her more. Gradually the people of the town came to understand him and his tragedy. Wise old Dr. Ross, who had watched his slow retreat, suggested to him that he adopt a child of about seven or eight, preferably a girl. . It was by some curious act of Providence that a short time later his brother, driving from the north to visit him, met with an accident. Both he and his wife were killed, but his daughter, june, was thrown from the car unhurt. Arriving in answer to a telegram, he took her home with misgivings. jeaifs joy was unmistakable from the start. She clasped the child in her arms and kissed her gently. Her great blue eyes filled with tears, a rush of mumbled sounds fell from her lips. For the time being she was happy. Time passed and as june matured, jean changed. Perhaps it was her long ill- ness or jealousy of -Iune's increasing beauty. He never knew. She would let neither of them touch her or do anything for her. Her eyes burned with hate and anger and triumph over these two chained by pity to her. She became more and more revengeful toward june. One morning when june brought her breakfast she seized her wrist and bit her until blood came. After this he had always been there to guard and shield june like a glass flower that would break at touch. It had all ended suddenly one evening in an unexpected way. june was about to mount the stairs to jean's room. But before she could do so a cry was heard overhead. It was like an animalis cry of hurt or fury. He looked up with a cold fear in his heart. He commanded june to remain Where she was. jean stood above them swaying uncertainly. She lifted an arm high in the air and hurled a large vase with all her strength down the stairs straight at june. It missed its aim, and before anyone could catch her, she lost her balance and crashed down at their feet. A moment later she was dead. He was awakened from his unpleasant dreams by Busty, june,s dog, chasing a stray cat across the lawn. It was now twilight. The sky burned 1'ed and then faded into a glow like a great pink jewel set in gold. Then came the darkness like a cloak wrapped around him. Trains of radiant white stars appeared followed by a large orange moon, which rose high into the deep velvet sky. The world was bathed in a golden splendor.

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THE CAULDHON 17 gone to his law ollice. Duncan had been trying to borrow money from his would-be friends for two days, but to no avail. Finally, in desperation, he had returned to his uncle's home Friday night. As no one was home he decided to open the safe and take the money that he needed. Yes, steal the money, or do anything to get it in his urgent need. We interrupt this program, and Duncan was snapped back to the present as he listened, to bring you the startling news that Iudge Homer Adler was found dead in the study of his home--- Hearing this, a train of reminiscences went through Duncan's mind. Yes, as Duncan had been t1'ying to open the safe, Judge Adler had come into his study and barked, What are you doing here? I am going to call the policef' As he started to the telephone Duncan remembered the gun in the left hand drawer of the desk, Leaping to the drawer he pulled it open and, grabbing the gun, pointed it at his uncle. If you telephone the policef he screamed, 'Tll shoot. Watching his uncle advance toward the telephone, he pulled the trigger. He heard the explosion and watched his uncle fall to the floor. Without stopping to examine the fallen body, Duncan threw the gun at his uncleis side, dashed out of the house, into his car, and drove away. Now, as the wheels turned faster and faster, Duncan thought of his uncle lying on the floor and what would happen to him if he were caught. He was trying to think of some explanation or some place to hide, as the speedometer went from 50 to 60 to 70. Finally coming back to his surroundings he heard the news announcer say - and evidently the judge had the intention of taking his life as a gun was found by his body with one shell gone. This afternoon the judge's personal physician had told him that his days were numbered because of a weak heart. The shot was merely a blank catridge and it was the shock that killed him. Hearing this, Duncan's heart leaped with joy and anticipation. Now he could pay his racing debts, and take the trip to Bermuda he had planned. Why, he was on easy street. No, he was not sorry for his dead uncle, only sorry that it had not been done befo1'e. Realizing that it was getting late and wishing to hurry back and inquire about collecting the money, Duncan drew his eyes back to the road. Suddenly a look of intense horror appeared on his face. In front of him was a sharp curve with a sheer drop below. Duncan was too terrified to try to prevent the inevitable, and with a shudder the car plunged through the rail to the ledges fifty feet below. When the police got there Duncan had died of a broken neck. Still the soft, haunting voice of a girl could be heard singing her theme song, Slowly, I opened my eyes -- . Betty Gray