Saint Ursula Academy - Scroll Yearbook (Toledo, OH)

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As I Have loved You . .. HILE the snowflakes were pull- ing their blanket over the earth, Sandra, walking aimlessly along the dark road, reviewed the events that had taken place in the past few months. It had all started when the Germans en- tered the town, bringing with them only death, suffering and destruction. Then for days on end airplanes had thundered overhead. Despite all odds, however, the Russians had beaten them off. During all this strife there had been plenty of work to be done. Never be- fore had Sandra seen so many dying, wounded and hungry souls since she had arrived from America two months be- fore. All her efforts had gone toward helping these. lfngrossed thus in he-r thoughts, she was suddenly jolted from her musings by stumbling over some- thing in the snow. Imagine her horror and surprise when she discovered the something to be the body of a man, half frozen and wounded. She began to say something reassuring to him. Then, in a tongue which she recognized as that of the enemy, he mumbled some- thing in delirium. She started in con- tempt to retrace her steps. Thought of the enemy brought only hate to her mind. Her profession as a nurse, how- ever, demanded charity toward all, so she knew all thought of revenge must be quickly drowned in immediate serv- ice. Speedily she went to the hospital, reported the case to the supe-rintendent, and returned to duty. Several days later, while working in the prisoners' ward, Sandra, who was not only young but also romantic, kept hoping that perhaps she had been mis- taken about the new patientls accent. Perhaps he would turn out to be some hero. How romantic that would be! But her head told her what her heart would not, that he was a Nazi, and that was that. Oh why, oh why, must he be a Nazi? I-Iow handsome he looked -LORETTA BARRY '43 lying there with his blond hair, blue eyes and powerful frame. His coming marked a decided change in the ordi- narily gloomy ward. When he was happy, all were happy. When he was sad or showed his serious side, all were depressed. He was a natural born leader. He was more than a little moved when he was told that Sandra was re- sponsible for his rescue. The next time she passed he called, Nurse',, and when Sandra came: HPerhaps an introduction is the appropriate thing. I am Franz von Steuben, and though I am not very good at making speeches, I would like to express my thanks to you for saving my lifef, What else could I do?U she an- swered sarcastically, and turning, con- tinued her rounds. Lying in bed, Franz found himself thinking often and long of this Ameri- can nurse. He should have known she could do nothing but hate him. To her he represented the enemy. And though he had felt from the first a natural inclination toward her, he convinced himself that it was only nonsense, and he must try to forget her. But how could he when she was always floating around? Sandra, too, was undergoing a civil war. She saw buried in him all the characteristics of her hero, her knight. But there was always his other side- the Nazi in him which she detested. She, too, had felt deeply drawn to him from the first, but wasn't she strong enough to subdue it? As time went on, it did not prove an easy task for either. lVIany times Franz, letting his gaze linger too long on San- dra, would find her brown eyes meet- ing his, and then for an instant tender thoughts would communicate themselves. Both came to realize the futility of their 16 THE SCROLL

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A Name fins Anken . . . TOP ROW: P. Palmer, P. Schoen, P. lVIcCarthy, P. Brunner, P. Nlattson, P. Ursuline.', MIDDLE ROW: P. Stalder, P. Carstensen, P. Hanlon, P. Kennedy, P. St. Arnaud, P. Roller, P. Sanders, P. Carroll, P. Feak, P. lVIcDermott, P. Robie, P. hiauter, P. Mclxitosh. BOTTOM Row: P. Celusta, P. Resch, P. Surtman, P. Blake, P. Glennon, P. Fox, P. Pie-ree, P. Wilde. MISSING: P. King, P. Fritter. Out of the depths of the four classes of St. Ursula's a name that a few years ago was practically unknown has become most popular. In fact, ten per cent of the student body is called by this illustrious name - Patricia. The Seniors, heading the list, have eight in their class alone. Evenly divided, there are four in each home room. The Seniors, naturally, are the leaders of the school, the Freshmen, the new- comers. The Juniors and Sophomores, being neither green nor tops, believe in sticking together. Both have seven Pats apiece, five in Junior B and only two in Junior A. The Sophomores, more evenly, have four in Sophomore A with three in Sophomore B. Freshman B is very proud of its four Pats, but poor Freshman A has none at all. And last, but not least, comes the one Pat not yet mentionedg the Pat who outshines and overshadows every other one, the Pat who is a friend of all the teachers and studentsg the Pat who is envied by all because of her luscious black curly hair-is our precious Kerry Blue dog, Pat. -FRANCES STRAUB '43 THE SCROLL 15

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attempts. Both were too proud to aC- knowledge seeming defeat. Only the light of the brilliant star broke the darkness of the hospital chapel when, on Christmas Eve, Sandra stole up to the crib. 'lDear Godf' she prayed, 'inever before have I loved anyone as I do Franz. I love him with all my heart and soul. No words can express how I feel toward him. But how can I love him when I despise him? He is a Nazi. I hate Naziism. And why shouldnyt I? Isnlt it the cause of all this destruction and misery? Oh, my Jesus, what am I going to do? bIy soul is torn between love of Franz and the dictates of my conscience. VVhat am I to do ?,' No longer could she hold back her tears. She cried as though her heart was breaking. Then it seemed that she heard a Voice in her heart say, Remember always, my child, that I created Franz. I love him with such a boundless love no human heart can know. If I can, regardless of creed or nationality, love him, cannot you ?', At these words it was as if a miracu- lous peace and calm pervaded the whole atmosphere. Her soul was pacifiedg her tears were stayed, her heart was healed with a sweet, comforting solace. Gazing lovingly on the image of her God, lying in the straw, she poured out her humble thanksgiving. Once more Christian charity held the reins of her spirit. It was only when she arose to leave the chapel that she noticed a kneeling figure beside her. I-Ier heart leaped for joy. It was Franz! How long had he been there? As she moved along the aisle, something in her heart told her he was there behind her. She had hardly gained the outside entrance when his voice caught up with her. UDO not detest me so, Sandra, I am not a Nazi-I am a German. Reasons beyond my control forced me into the Nazi army. I despise everything it stands for. The real German people do not want war. They love peace above every- thing else. They are waiting for time when a new Germany 'will arise, one in which the principles of the New Born King will reign once moref' Here he paused and for a while they enjoyed the peace and tranquillity which are the especial gifts of the Christ Child. Franz broke the silence. Sandra,', he whispered, 'lwhen the time comes that Germany is again free, will you let me take you there and make you my wife? His answer he found in the love in her eyes. So it happened that, as the- angels were chanting their Gloria in Excelsis Deon, the Christmas peace came over these two souls, as, united in the spirit of love, the spirit of the Prince of Peace, they prayed for the time when 'fthe lights go on again all over the world. FN, at 0 K . r I l , , I Q I , Q THE SCROLL 17