Shortridge High School - Annual Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

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ummm . WILL IT BE ROSES? shouted after Evelyn, Have you any traits of character today, Miss Stuck- up?n Strangers and new students were usually attracted by the slim, fair-hair- ed girl with the small, petulant mouth, but her own class had learned to tolerate her with easy contempt, long before they had reached their senior year in high school. That is, she was tolerated by all except Jim Rostron, whom Evelyn had taken a special delight in teasing ever since she had discovered his special point of weakness. Jim had startling bright red hair, and with it a sensitive, artistic temperament that instinctively rebelled against colors that failed to blend with his crowning glory. It was not surprising that he should dislike the girl who constantly irritated him on the subject. But Evelyn dressed well, danced well, and occasionally gave parties that no one cared to miss, so she did not find herself entirely an outcast. As senior vice-president, Tru Edgerton was especially anxious that her class should look Well on its final appearance. The boys had already decided on their graduation dress, when the girls, with very little opposition, voted to wear white. Evelyn was conspicuous for her absence at this meeting, and Tru later approached her with fear and trembling to deliver the decision. Oh, is that so? Evelyn remarked carelessly. Well, we'll look like a long line of uniformed children in an industrial home, but don't let that worry you. I have an absolutely sweet creation, all sparkling brilliants, that I can wear. Tru had sighed and let the matter rest. It was too much to hope that Evelyn would be content with the soft comparatively simple white that the other girls would wear. And now, two weeks before commencement, they were considering the flowers they would carry. The whole school was mildly interested. Roses had become almost an established custom, but this year Sue Taylor was cham- pioning the cause of sweet peas, and a certain other group favored bouquets of mixed varieties. But whatever we chose, Tru confided with a certain complacency to Dave, I know they'l1 all be game and stick by it. I only wish I could be sure of Evelyn, she continued wistfully. That orchid idea of hers may be just a grand gesture, but we don't know. And there's no use appealing to Mrs. Strat- ton, she would only 'dislike to curb Evelyn's individuality? Dave grinned reminiscently. That struck me as one swell phrase. And Evelyn's been busy living up to it ever since. Why, she doesn't even act hu- man, except when she's teasing Jim Rostron about his red hair. She seems to get a kick out of that, somewayf' Itis merely cruelty to dumb animals. That's not a good sign, said Tru mischievously. Jim had just appeared on the scene,

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tx flmmullum MM WILL IT BE ROSES? 'I - OSES, or not roses: that is the question, paraphras- ed Dave Harris, lazily. And if so, worried Jim, carefully removing his carrot-colored locks from their clashing proximity to Dave's scarlet sweater, will they be pink? Because if they are, he continued with awful solemnity, I say, if those girls insist on carrying bright pink flow- ers at commencement, why I-I might not even come! Trust old Jim to be all wrapped up in his auburn tressesj' hooted Charlie. Now I've got to root for sweet peas, because Sue says they'd be 'perfectly , preciousj and roses would be positively putrid'. ' Dave looked up. Lorraine and Mary Jo and Helen want mixed bouquets, and I heard somebody say that Evelyn Stratton 'in- tends to get special permission to carry orchids'. Well, exactly why is she an exception? Jim had a special antipathy to Evelyn, who insisted on wearing a tangerine-colored dress and sitting next to him in history class. Tru Edgerton came out of the high-school building in time to hear his question. Perching herself on the low balustrade around which the boys lounged, she said, Oh, Evelyn says that roses are entirely too common, and that sweet peas with her lace and silver formal would be like a Rolls-Royce with a trailer. Personally, I can't see it, but- She shrugged her shoulders with a willingness to end the subject, but Dave said, Thought you girls all decided to wear white. We did, said Tru resignedly, but of course you have to leave it partly up to the girls' willingness to co-operate,-and silver is practically white. I'm only thankful she doesn't insist on her 'perfect right, to wear royal blue. Or bright red, suggested Jim pessimistically. Evelyn Stratton was neither the richest girl in town, nor the traditionally spoiled only child, but from earliest childhood she had zealously guarded her personal rights exclusive of the interests of the group. Evelyn has such remarkably distinct traits of character for a child of her age, that we dislike to curb her individuality in any way, Mrs. Stratton had somewhat cooly informed the grade school teacher who had suggested that Evelyn conform a trifle more to the school regulations. Little Jimmie Rostron, who was 'fstaying after school, had been an ap- preciative listener. But he looked very innocent the next day when his gang

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murmur 1ll!!JEx WILL IT BE ROSES? 1 f .1.,. -... . i ilwii , J. L I S, . 1L,. . ,I mil? A ' l - c h WAX ...jk fd I I ilta A , v 3 . 1 ll.. ..A., V M 'A f I P I 'I it '.- 2 iii:-if-'f ' 'i ' Y -' M -ffziigi X fl ' f , 1 :Eh , . W f K 'x , N A W ISS, yfffUsp,.7m,, X ' j Wonder how far she'd go to make you uncomfortable, Jim? mused Dave. I can't say. You remember when we were in the eighth grade, and her father was on the school board, she got him to take it up with the principal that all the fellows on the traffic squad should wear red caps. Of all the nerve! Then and there Dave broached his plan. I bet that'll hold her, he said when he had finished. Tru was openly enthusiastic, and Jim was sceptical, but willing. The next day the senior girls held a meeting, and, true to custom, the ma- jority wanted roses-yellow roses. Even Jim was pleased. 'iBut if you had chosen red- he said to Tru, threat- eningly. Be sure to keep it dark that you like yellow, she admonished. f'All right. I'm starting on my lavender shirt campaign tomorrow, he promised. Later the same afternoon Tru ran up the hall after Evelyn, who was start- ing home. They've just posted the list of how we're going to march in at graduationj' she said excitedly. Come and see where youill be, Evelyn. ' ' ' J' Rostron, reported Evelyn joyously. 'iWon't I I ll walk right behind im