Berea High School - Prima Luce Yearbook (Berea, NC)

Page 61 text:

P RIM A LUCE never to utter a. word about your desertion T , , death. Why should I dishonor his memory? T uT n0t , Cared for life since his weakness of his mother. Why should T ,s .! 5e ' oncl m y power to reveal the They have had me up for causing the littIe L cillc? never seen. Flossie, if you ever return ® i th pe ?P le , some of whom I have that you would do two things— give Ludllfm V 0 f° f y ° Ur deeds ’ 1 wish remains placed beside those of little William ™ b6St ° f Care and have my The last word from your disappointed husband, John Mahoney. tried to recollecMhJ dTcuminces under which T nCar the shanty? 1 to my mind— there was a sand hill Just tr t 1 them ' 1 wo facts came skulls were not well developed— then ' came theT V™ tbe forehe ads of the Dune— the bones of Paleolithic men.” 4 ternble realization— A Moving the slapping of the ropes ' ha ’ceas d C andToh 6 ' 1 ' wu 6 Wi ' ld had moderated and Prophesyed, “I believe to-morrow will be a goodday for dTcSg ’ CaPtain — Orlando Stone. sl eep into the Heart CHARACTERS Humphry Harrison. Grandfather A Grandson Lettie Talmage A Old Englishman Servant A Poor Little Orphan TIME — Past PLACE— In England: a park belonging to an old Englishman . CURTAIN RISES ( An old ma , 11 dressed, with whitr hr , „ • „ , , , , enters from right, and walks very slowly H ’ mkles about hls forehead, From the left Humphry Harrison n Lw l carr S n 9 a golden-headed cane, briskly in. Humphry has a short black mult stout mt f n of about forty, walks a wrinkled brow. The two men meet near right ) wukci Poking eyes, and Humphry Good morning, Grandfather. Whv nre t „ by the Southern (Takes out watch and looks It it) 1 S ° ear y? 11 1S scarce nrae Grandfather Oh! I just came out for a little w-dl- t a all of .he time. Besides I though, i, best to gef fceMoSed t ' h ' h ° S ' f Page 68 ]

Page 60 text:

PRIM A LUCE over a lover; but I, for my part, will forever believe that that scoundrel, Mahoney, was responsible for her disappearance.’ With this remark he passed on. “One afternoon the following September, as I was sitting in my office, the postman shoved a letter through the slit in the door. Its contents were : Dear Mr. Humphry : Mrs. Webster and I were overjoyed to learn yesterday that our daughter is alive and living happily with her husband in South Carolina. Thanking you for your former services, we beg to remain, Your affectionate friends, Mr. and Mrs. John Webster. “As I was re-reading the note the bell rang. “ ‘Come in,’ I answered. “At this word the slender form of a woman, deeply veiled, entered the room. “Ms this Mr. Humphrey?’ she inquired. “I replied in the affirmative. “ ‘Have a seat,’ I continued. ‘Thank you. but I haven’t time,’ the visitor responded. ‘I understand that you were connected with Mahoney’s case.’ “ ‘Yes, I was given charge of the preliminaries,’ I assented. “Briefly I gave her the synopsis of the proceedings and of Mahoney’s end. “ ‘Do you know where his children are?’ she inquired. “ ‘He had but one child, did he? Oh, yes, one of them, the boy, is buried on the Banks, the other one is in the orphanage, or was until recently. Really, I don’t know where she is now.’ “ ‘I thank you,’ the woman returned in an almost inaudible voice. “ ‘But why are you so interested ?’ I queried. “ ‘I am related to his people and would like to care for the child. Mahoney was buried in Wilkes cemetery, was he not?’ “ ‘ Yes,’ I answered. “The lady left my office without revealing her identity and her sad appearance and reticence excited my curiosity. “ ‘I wonder who she is,’ I mused to myself. “Before I had time to collect my thoughts, I was called to investigate a shooting scrape in the city. The following morning the body of a woman, which was identified as that of Mrs. Mahoney, was found on the grave of her husband. Her hands were pressed tightly on her bosom holding this letter : Dear Flossie : May Lucille give you this letter. Some day you’ll return and regret your treatment of me. I know that lizard will desert you, as you deserted me. I’ve tried to bate you again and again, but I cannot. The remembrance of our early childhood days when we used to play together at school remains with me. I remember the long hours you sat beside me when I had the fever and the cooling effects of your caressing hands. The few happy days I have had were spent in your company. Flossie, Remembrance says Love; Judgment, Hate. You have been the destruction of my home. When little William died last year I promised him [ Page 67 ]

Page 62 text:

Humphry What! You are not going to leave us? I say you shall not, you have only been with us six months, and you stayed with brother Richard at least nine. Why, it seems hut yesterday that you came. Have you not been well cared for ? By my word, it shall go hard with . . . Grandfather Yes! yes! I have everything I desire. I just felt cooped up. Humphry But I fear you tax your strength. Well, I’ll see you later. (Kisses Grand- father’s hand, with the air of one zvho feels well pleased with himself.) I shall send a servant to attend to you. (Exits from right, Grandfather looks after him, then slozvly walks down right talking to himself.) Grandfather I wonder if he really cares for me; he and Richard are my only kindred. Could they play foul with me? If I only knew that it was not my money that they care for. But how am I to know ? (He sinks dozvn on a park bench, takes out the morning paper from his pocket and begins to read. Presently he starts and looks pleased.) A ship sails tomorrow for unknown parts. (Scratches his head) I have it, I’ll just leave on that ship. (Takes out a piece of paper, writes a few lines on it, and addresses an envelope, thrusts it in his pocket and hobbles off.) Humphry ( Carelessly dressed and looks as if he were made at the whole world ) The deuce! I don’t see why it isn’t interest. ng here as well as at Richard’s, 1 suppose the tight wad will make his will while he is there. I bet five dollars the old miser has gone to Richard’s, for he didn’t come in last night. ( Enters servant ) Servant Hyars yer mail, Marster. Misses say why don’t you’s come to you’s breakfast? Humphry (Taking the mail) Say to your Mistress that I shall not be present at break- fast. (Exits servant) Humphry (In deep thought) If I only knew what to do with all of his junk. (Slowly opening a letter) Why — why. It’s from the old man. (Reads aloud) “Humphry, I am sailing at six o’clock, on a ship for unknown parts. Some day I shall come back to your ever- welcomed fireside, and to your heart that has always welcomed me. Your Grandfather.” (With set jaws) Well, there’s just one thing to be done and that is to wait. Why, what is the matter, Kid? (A child of about eight years of age, is, lying on the ground not far from Hum-