Albany High School - Prisms Yearbook (Albany, NY)

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8 THE GARNET AND GRAY down the rocky road. All were on foot except the grizzled Lord Laufrane, who rode at the head, stern and unmoved even in his grief. Six men bore the carved oaken coffin, emblazoned with the arms of Laufrane, within which lay the fair-haired daughter of the Lord. The white drapery of the bier testified to the maiden's virginity, for she had died even as she was to become a bride. True, it was rumored her love had not been for the Nor- man knight her father had chosen, but for a young rnan Theobold, the Saxon, yet none dared whisper that she might have died of a broken heart. Now, murmured the peasants, she would be the bride of no earthly mortal, but would lie cold and alone, in the holy ground about the monastery, on the farther side of Eldric Wood. A few there were who felt for Theobold and wondered how he would bear his grief, but great would have been their amazement could they have seen him at that moment. Deep in the forest and hidden from the road by a thicket clump sat Theobold mounted on a fleet stallion, surrounded by a score of his henchmen. There seemed to be no concern in the attitude of the Saxon as he chatted with his companions. Suddenly the funeral procession rounded a bend in the road, and as it drew abreast the hidden knights, Theobold uttered a loud cry and spurred into the middle of the road, followed by his men who surrounded the pro- cession. The startled mourners offered no resistance as they were no match for the mounted men, and the bearers lowered the coffin awaiting the demands of their captors. Young Theobold sprang to the ground and tearing aside the pall, pried oii' the coffin lid with his battle axe. As the on- lookers gasped at this sacrilege, he leaned over the coffin and lifted Lord Laufrane's daughter to her feet. Holding her with one hand he lifted her eyelids with the other. A clear gaze, with perhaps the slightest trace of a smile met him from the blue eyes. Then with a wave of the hand at the raging Lord Laufrane, and at scornful glance at his former rival, young Theobold swung his sweetheart to the saddle and with his henchmen close at his back disappeared among the trees. MAX S. KAUFMAN, '23 - FAMOUS AMERICAN ANIMALS The horse are a very peculiar animal. He have four legs, one in each corner. He have a head that much resemble that of a gavel. He wear his hairs on one side of his neck. There are not much more to say about a horse these days because he are making himselves so scarce. The American gold fish terrier are a very extinguished looking dog. He wears wiskers. These dog are very extravagant, or expensive in other words. He are like to some of our antique politician, first, he always need a hair cut, two, he have a very even disposition-he are always mad. He are a good watch dogg i.e., he watch the tramp come in and take what he want, and then these dog watch him go out. The Australian Whimpus are becoming more common in these country

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THE GARNET AND GRAY 7 which age had not perceptibly diminished, while he carved, softly murmuring his prayers. As the light streaming through the square aperture near the ceiling grew dim the old monk increased his speed, but his eyes were helpless in the disappearing twilight and with a sigh he decided that the completion of the statue must be left for the morrow. As he contemplated the figure held in his outstretched palm his head began to nod and in the midst of his study drooped forward on his chest and he aroused himself with a start when he realized that sleep had nearly overtaken him before the completion of his daily tasks. Since the death of Brother Francis, it had been his duty to light the tapers in the chapel as he passed on his way to the evening meal served in the great hall of the monastery, for this was one of the lighter tasks assigned to the oldest mem- bers of the order. With a last regretful glance he placed the miniature of the Virgin on a low, broad shelf, and picking up the bundle of tapers he was about to leave the room, when he noticed that he had not put away his tools. Bend- ing over to pick up one of them he felt a sharp twinge of pain and sat down on his bench, thinking that it would pass away before he must begin his task. With his head in his hands he thought of the physical trials of an in- creasing age and the handicap of years. The tolling of a bell in the distance warned him of work yet to be per- formed, but a sense of comfort and a feeling of drowsiness had fallen over him. He assured himself that there was time enough and then uncon- sciously relaxed, and fell asleep. Faintly pealing chimes and a bird caroling sweetly, as a shining ray of light crept over the monk's kindly old face, brought back consciousness and in the vision of the aged priest appeared the saddest sight' oni eartih. In the far distance a group of monks with sorrowful mien were assembled in a chapel gathered about the bier of one of their brethren. As they intoned the funeral service a veil was drawn shutting out all earthly vision, and there burst upon Father Dominic all the joy of heaven. MARY HARRIS, '23 WHEN KNIGHTS WERE BOLD I The warm morning sun had hardly dispelled the grey mists of the low-lands, when the stolid peasants in the hamlet below the grey walls of Nordwick Castle heard the peremptory blast of a bugle-horn, followed by the clatter of chains as the great draw-bridge was lowered. These sounds were usually followed by the appearance either of a grim, war-like band of knights, clad in glinting armor, bound for some foray, or a merry hunt- ing party, with gay-colored, waving plumes and pennants, galloping by with a jingle of spurs and a clatter of quivers. But today, a strange sight greeted them. Slowly without a sound of horn or voice a funeral procession wound T

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THE GARNET AND GRAY 9 all time. He will soon be so common that he won't be preferred. These animal are very gallient, and resemble the Knights of the Round Tabile except that they has no steel overcoat. These animal are also very ill bread. They never ask for meat twice-they take it. The most popular dog in these part of the country are the Toy Poodle. These dog are like some members of the League of Nations, except that he has no plug hat or cane. These dog are very pretty, he wear a white fur overcoat, with cap to match it. His nose are generally dirty. These dogs are very useful. Ladies use them to have their pictures taken with, and children misuse them by pulling the fur off their coats. A It is said every dog has his day, but the cats still have the nights. GEORGE B. GILDERSLEEVE, '23 THE MAELSTROM OF FEAR The afternoon had just begun to lengthen when Red Gallager stopped in front of the old deserted farmhouse. It was just the place he wanted to stop overnight. They'll never get me, he chuckled. I'm too clever for 'em. He sat down on the dilapidated doorstep and drew some lunch from his pocket. Events had crowded in rather fast on Red for the last, few days. New York had become too hot to hold him, so he caught a freight train going west. He had jumped off at a small town and hadn't troubled him- self to ask its name. A saloon looked inviting so he entered and sat in on a card game. He was sure he saw that fellow cheat. He grabbed his money, shot, and was away before they realized what had happened. Red was sure he had killed himg he couldn't have missed at so short a distance. Red chuckled again at the clever way he had outwitted his pursuers. Ugh ! He drew back as a small garter snake slipped under the house. 'He shuddered. If there was anything Red Gallager hated, it was a snake. The sun had gone down behind a mass of inky clouds. It was growing dark rapidly and now a few drops of rain ,began to fall, so he opened the door and entered. The door opened on a good sized room, which smelled damp and musty. There was another room beyond and he looked in there, but it was so dark he couldn't see anything. He struck a match, but the room was empty. Returning to the first room, he stretched out on the hard floor, doubling up his coat for a pillow. He would get a good sleep and start out early the next day to increase by as much as possible the distance between him and the scene of his crime. But somehow, Red couldn't sleep 5 perhaps it was the steady patter of the rain, or the thunder that fol- lowed the lightning which split the blackness from time to timeg perhaps it was his conscience. A board squeaked. He started. The door blew shut with a bang. His heart rose in his throat. Red's nerves were on edge. He wished