Bloomington High School - Aepix Yearbook (Bloomington, IL)

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.. QAEGIS .. t'Oh, we have relegated Tabby to the barn, for though she may be pic- turesque, she is not sanitary, replied Phyllis with an appreciative laugh. But what do you think of Father's strawberry beds? Phyllis thought it time to turn the conversation to business. They are remarkable, I have never seen berries of such size and flavor. They should bring you a good price. We have a standing order with several Boston Firms. Then she added impulsively, Those strawberry beds were all that Father had to leave us and somehow we look on them as a trust, because you see, he loved them. , Phyllis found herself wondering why she should be telling all this to a stranger. When she had finished sealing the last crimson jar of jam, she glanced up and met the eyes of this astonishing young man. There could be no doubt of the genuine interest a.nd sympathy in them. Miss Graham, he said earnestly, I realize that I am a perfect stranger to you, but won't you permit me to share in the responsibility of this trust? At this interesting moment, Ted made his appearance with his usual abrupt- ness and his usual cry of Say, Phil, when do we eat? Then catching sight of the young man at the door, Come on in Dave. I want to show you my new jack knife. It 's got three blades. And sis you ought to see how he fixed up that fence. I'll bet Brindle doesn't get through there again. Did sl1e do much damage? inquired Phyllis anxiously. t'Just a little in one place. It takes her so long to travel, he exclaimed off-handedly. Ted will you undertake to show Mr. Porter to his room? she whisked a pan of biscuits from the oven. 'tCome right. down again, won't you, because lunch will be ready in a minute? You must think us a dreadfully unsystematic family, she added, turn- ing to the obviously interested young man. No, Miss Graham, he replied seriously, But a very delightful, satis- fying family, one whom it is rarely one's fortune to meet. The conversation was interrupted by the appearance of Mrs. Graham, flushed and laughing. Mercy children, she exclaimed, What will Barbara think of next? I found her out in the hen-house, dyeing the old white hen with shoe-blackingf' Why Mr. Porter, she added apologetically, Haven't you found your room yet? Come on, I will take you up myself ! And so, with that lack of ceremony which had a great deal to do with their charm, the Grahams made David Porter one of them, giving him their friend- ship without measure or question. They simply took him at his face value, and found that entirely satisfactory. Mrs. Graham mothered him, and noted with satisfaction that his pallor was replaced by a rich coat of tan: Ted had a severe attack of hero-worship: Alice and Barbara found an older brother in him: and there could be no doubt that he enjoyed Phyllis, society. Occasionally they would take long tramps' over the hills, exulting in the zest of the wind from the salt-marshes. Sometimes they would go for miles without exchanging a word, for the bond of sympathy and understanding be- tween them, sufficed. But most of those golden June days were spent in harvesting the abundant, yield of strawberries. It was amazing how much knowledge David had gleaned from the taciturn John. But it was supplemented by a seemingly inexhaustible fund of cheerful- 27 -DICDZ3 Q'

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.. QAEGIS .. Mrs. Graham drew out a chair. VVon't you sit down? We are very glad indeed that you have come, she said cordially. Did John explain about the work? Her tone was a little doubtful, for he did not seem to be the sort of man to do farm work. Yet she thought, If I am not mistaken, he would go through with anything he undertook. Score one for David! Just then Ted dashed up, crying excitedly, Oh mother, the fence is down on the north side and Brindle's in the berry patch! Then we had better show her out, the young man said quickly. Hlllay Ted and I go to the rescue? Oh if you will, Mrs. Graham replied anxiously. John must have forgotten to repair that fence. In another moment, Ted and the tall young man had disappeared around the barn. Well this is really too much excitement for such a peaceful family, laughed Phyllis. He doesn't look a bit like a hired man Phil, said Barbara swinging her feet over the veranda railing. 'iJoe Trumbull eats with his knife and says 'ain't,l but I know he wouldn't. I-Ie's so polite and his voice is sort of warm and friendly. Phyllis and her mother exchanged amused glances. f'Barbara, said Alice reproachfully, You know it isn't nice to discuss people. Well lct me say just this,' begged Barbara, 'the isn't exactly hand- some, but I'll bet he is awfully nice. That's more important 'cause my Sun- day-school teacher said so! At any rate, said Mrs. Grahamfserenely, I am glad we have obtained such a dependable looking person. He is very likely working his Way through college. Have you noticed that foreign air he has about him, Phyllis? What an idea, mother! Still his clothes did seem to have a different cut from Joe Trumbull's for instance, she finished with a laugh. But as I was saying when the curtain rose on this comedy, what will we have for lunch? 'tDc:ir me, yesln exclaimed Mrs. Graham. I am glad I baked a meat loaf this morning. That boy looks as if he needed plenty of good plain food. He has probably been studying more than was good for him. Barbara will you get some lettuce from the garden? Alice, I wish you would run upstairs and see if Johnls room is in order. Goodness me exclaimed Phyllis to her mother in mock alarm, that boy, as you call him has fairly bewitched the family. You will have him a. prince in disguise or a knight-errant next. Still I admit he is exciting when one is used to Joe Trumbullf' A half-hour later she was filling rows of shining jars with jam, when glancing up she saw the newcomer standing at the kitchen door, which opened on the vine covered porch. She made a pretty picture in her simple gingham dress. Her cheeks were flushed a rose pink from the heat of the stove and her bright hair was charmingly disarranged. Judging from the expression on his face it was not lost on the young man. Do you know, he said boyishly, this is just what I have always thought a real kitchen should be, sort of old-fashioned and homey. That is, all but for one thing, he amended with a twinkle. , And what is that? asked Phyllis making a mental note of the fact that he had line eyes. 'tThere should be a cat by the stove, he said gravely. One of those comfortable, peaceful creatures to whom life is just one long nap. -21923 c- 26

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.. MIEGIS .. ness and kindliness which was his own. It won the good-will of even the slow- moving and slower-thinking Joe Trumbull, who had an inherent grudge against city-fellers. At last the final shipment of berries had been sent and still there was no word from John. That afternoon, Phyllis paused on her way upstairs, at the half-opened door of the little room, which the Grahams laughingly called their Hmusic room. Someone was playing an old Irish folk-song, and with such skill and charm that she caught her breath with delight. Sometimes it was hauntingly sweet and plaintive, then again it sug- gested fairies dancing in the moonlight so gay and sprightly itl was, and Phyllis would be smiling through a mist of tears. Surely it could not be Alice who was creating such wonderful harmony from the old piano. Phyllis had thoughtfully returned to the living room before the young man was aware of her presence. He would have been dis- turbed from his reverie, if he knew that she had been aware of his. Mrs. Graham looked up with a smile at her entrance. Alice was playing unusually well, wasn't she? Your father liked that old song. Phyllis only smiled for answer. The puzzled look in her eyes was replaced by one of certainty, as if she had found the answer to a troublesome question. Oh by the way, Phyllis, said Mrs. Graham, pausing to thread her needle, I heard from Cousin Agatha today. Mm, the family press agent. And what did she have to say? Many things. Among them that David Russel whom we were speaking of just the other day, has returned from abroad. He is quite a musician, I understand. ' ' Indeed, replied Phyllis demurely. I think her news is a little old, however. Her mother looked up with a puzzled expression, but Phyllis had vanished. The next day found Phyllis and David following the narrow woodland path which wound up the side of Tallyho Mountain. He was preoccupied, even grave she noted, and impulsively she laid her hand on his arm. What is troubling you David? she asked gently. You did not even see that little bobolink who was flirting with you from the barberry bush. The shadow lifted from his face for a moment. '4If he was a bird of taste, he had eyes only for you. Perhaps I was mentally registering the fact that soon I shall be homeless, a wanderer on the face of the earth. The strawberries have all gone to market, so I must go too! In his bantering tone Phyllis de- tected a note of sadness. But before I leave I must tell you or rather confess- f'No, no, she interrupted merrily, VVait until we reach the top. It is an ideal place for confessions, with that restful view below. But I must explain - Sometime you may, replied Phyllis calmly. Though comrades don't require explanations. Beside they take away the thrill that comes from the uncertainties. ' ' What a girl you are! cried David with genuine admiration in his eyes. They climbed for a half-hour in silence. The vegetation had become more sparse, because of the high altitude, and when they reached the summit, a few scrubby pines were the only survivors. 0h! cried Phyllis in delight, This glorious view! It makes me feel at peace with the world. Sometimes when I am rather out of tune with it, I come up here, and somehow, all the cobwebs are brushed away from my mind. 28 -531923 KC'