Bloomington High School - Aepix Yearbook (Bloomington, IL)

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THE AEGIS Grant watched the passing people. He saw the rich limousines trace their way through the trafiic-filled street, and at last speed out of sight. Wealthy men in elegant carriages also passed by, going-always going. Then he saw frightened, bewildered, poor women and children try to pass through the streets with self- important people brushing against them on all sides. The heat oppressed him, and he clung to the friendly walls of the great build- ing. Friendly ! Was it friendly? Grant gazed at it, and his eyes traveled upwards until he saw the window with the glittering gold letters on it-W. R. Bennett. No, it was not friendly. Besides, this was not earning the thousand dollars. So, Grant Richards started up the street, and was soon lost to view in the passing pop-- ulation of New York. CHAPTER II. Three months later, after a noon meal, Grant was sitting on the porch of his western home, resting from work. He had left New York at once, and bought 21 small piece of land in southern California with his savings. He had enough left to buy the material for a little house, which he built himself. The land consisted of only twenty acres. He had a truck farm, and also raised poultry. He found a ready market in San Diego where garden produce and poultry sold at extremely high prices. After awhile Grant arose and stepped inside of his house. It consisted of one room. There was a cot in one corner, a small table in the center, a gasoline stove in another corner and other furnishings scattered around. The condition of affairs showed sadly the lack of a housekeeper. Yet he was happy. As he was standing there, Jack Reynolds, a friend of his, came in. A Why, hello, Grant, why are you so sober today ?7' Grant laughed, Sober, he answered, A person can't be jolly all the time, I was only thinking of New Yorkf' Say, will you ever forget New York ? Jack inquired. Never,,' positively declared Grant, I have good reasons not to. Oh, but you would if there were only a girl in the case. UA-girl Pi' Yes! Say, by the way, Grant, an old gentleman from Boston is coming here with his daughter, and is to live in the new house tha.t's just finished over there on the hill. Grant sighed, and asked, Why should a Boston gentleman come here ? Heis broken down in health, and I suppose he's heard about our climate, and so on. Well, we have a iine climate, replied Grant. And-say Grant, old man, he-the Boston man-has a daughter? A daughter? How old? About fourteen-or forty ?', VVhy no, not that old. She is about twenty or twenty-one. Is that so? That's interesting, remarked Grant. Anyway, I have to be off. I heard they might cometoday. Good-by. Grant smiled and walked to the gasoline stove to prepare his evening meal. Jackis worked up, he thought. ':But I am twenty-three and never was in love with a girl, and I suppose I never will be. 19

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T H E A E GIS EVENTIDE NINA TAPPE. The soft, dim, gray of twilight, With the yellow after-glow Of a sun that has gone to slumber, Where the Western sky sinks low Behind the tall' dark steeple, O'ershadows the woodland trees, Which wave and toss their branches, In the frolicking evening breeze. The birds have ceased their singing, And the flowers nod their heads, While the dimming clouds are soaring In floating azure beds. Then the moon in soft dim splendor, Through a hazy atmosphere, Casts phantom shapes on the hillside, Where the violet blooms each year. THE GIRL AND THE TRUTH EARL EWERT. Chapter I. Grant Richards, bending his hea.d, walked slowly out of the room. To be accused was bad enough, but to be accused falsely! He recollected his past With Mr. Bennett-how he had steadily risen until he was this man's confidential sec- retary, and now-the climax of it all! That miserable Clayton! Richards shivered as he thought. Yes, he left Clayton alone in his room. And Clayton was his friend. But Clayton stole the money which Richards had neglected to put in the bank, stole it and lost it! And then the worst came. Mr. Bennett accused him of taking the money, and Grant would not tell on Clayton. But Mr. Bennett was kind in his way, he only dis- charged him and gave him one year to pay the one thousand dollars back. One year! And Mr. Bennett said, One year from today, at precisely half-past two, the money must be here. And if it is not, you suffer the penalty. Good-day. ' Grant went swiftlyvto the elevator. After he had descended to the ground floor, he pushed open the big, bronze doors of the massive building, and walked out. Instantly he felt the intense heat. The day was hot-maddening. The heat, radiating from the shining, glaring walks, filled the air with its awful op- pressiveness. And no one could stop it. Man can do many things, but he cannot stop this. Yet the streets were crowded, as they always are in New York. 18

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THE AEGIS Chapter III. Why, why did I awaken! I thought I was in New York. I heard music. Grant raised himself from his cot and listened. t'I,m sure I must have heard something. There-a violin! I wonder where that exquisite music comes from. It Heats in the air so dreamily and softly and seems to soothe the spirit. I must go and find thc source of such musicf' Grant arose. Walking to the window, he opened it and looked out. The morning sun shone upon his clear face. A f'Why, it comes from the house over on the hill. There! the daughter is on the porch playing. Gee, but I'd like to see her-wait till I get my field-glasses! What a beauty! No wonder that she can play. She is the picture of my ideal. I wonder what her name is. I will go and see her. I must and I will. Ah, the music has stopped, but the player remains. ' Chapter IV. Five months later. Grantfs heart beat quicker, and he stood still. Still holding in his hand a scrap of paper, he took one last look at it. It contained only seven words, which read: Telegram from New York at station. Call.'7 Grant got control of him- self at last, and decided to go. Of course, he knew what the telegram contained. Undoubtedly it was a summons from New York saying that he was wanted. in the courts. Ah, what would Genevieve think of it. Grant took hold of a small, square, pasteboard box in his coa.t pocket, a box that contained a diamond ring. It had just come from San Francisco in the morning, and he was going over to the house on the hill to see Genevieve that evening. True, he had told them all and they believed him. Her father had told him that he would provide for the thousand if he had to have it, but Grant said he would rather work for it, and if he could not get it, then he would borrow the necessary amount. So he began walking towards the station. When he had walked about a quarter of a mile, he heard a light step behind him and a girlish laugh. Turning 'round, he exclaimed, Genevieve . I saw you walking, and I wondered where you were goingf, said she. Grant gulped. I--I thought-I-was going to the station, he managed to say. To the station? Why! are you going away Pi' Grant nervously lingered the square pasteboard box in his coat pocket. Well, Ifll tell you, he said, There is a telegram for me at the station? I don't see why you arc so worried about that,', replied Genevieve. I thought it might be a. summons from the policef! Grant answered. Why, I 'really think you are a desperate character! said Genevieve. An innocent man is not afraid if he is judged guilty. Grant looked at her, then dropped his gaze from her eyes and said: Genevieve itls not that, that is worrying me. It's thisf' Grant produced the pasteboard box. Genevieve, he continued, MI have told you all, and you have accepted me. The ring came today, and I hoped that there would be no more trouble, and I would 20