Bloomington High School - Aepix Yearbook (Bloomington, IL)

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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'

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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 .. Then it is just the medicine I need, said David quietly. It was too bad that Phyllis' face was turned away for he could not see the warm understanding look in her eyes. The next moment she exclaimed joyously, t'The tang of this salt air al- ways makes me want to pack a bag- and go travelling. It suggests the ad- venture and romance of the countries over the sea. David seemed to have been lost in reflection. '4Yes,l' he said gently, Travel is interesting, but after all there is no place as satisfying as the port of home. You see, he added whimsically, my ship has been drifting aim- lessly from one port to another, but when I came to' know your family it found a quiet harbor. Phyllis was gazing out to sea, a little smile on her lips. And then Phil, he continued, It all depends upon having a comrade along who enjoys it too, a real comrade. They are rare, so rare that when you do find one it is hard to give her up! True friendship can never be broken, replied Phyllis, then why must you give her up? But if you have won it under false pretenses, have even used an as- sumed name! VVould it stand the test? He waited, breathless, for her answer. The minutes slipped away before it came. Then Phyllis turned, and her clear eyes met his unwaveringly. David Porter Russell, she said her voice vibrant, I made my decision long ago. She smiled at his evident bewilderment. Did you think I did not know who you were? Then she added demurely, I suppose I should be very angry, but somehow I am not a bit. Maybe it is just because you're you! Study Hall Day Dreams As I sit idly in the study hall, regardless of Miss Monroe, or Miss Inman's violent and pathetic orations upon wasting time and slaughtering minutes, the people in their respective seats take on a new aspect, and I am gently wafted away-living in the year of 193-. Is it possible that I see in my vision the little golden haired girl with curls, that sits to my right in everyday life-and what part might she be playing in my reverie? She is playing a ha.rp before an audience of spell bound listeners, and her name is known from coast to coast as a celebrated harpist. Another figure ilits before me in my fancies. A boy-now famous-a cartoonist-known throughout the country-in the New York Herald, The Sun, and The Tribune, his name countersigns the most laughable of all caricatures. And to think I sat with him in Study Hall-. Then one by one I see my friends. Some have become great authors, others engineers, those who used to patter in physics and Chemistry Labs-great Chemists or Physicists, many are famed far and wide as great actors or actresses. I see one in particular, a girl I knew well, whose dark hair and vivacious eyes as well as dramatic ability won her praise and respect from her audiences. Then I am startled. Some one has thrown a penny, and my fancies leave as the keeper of the hall looks as though I had committed one of the seven deadly sins my indulging in a day dream-And I leave all my noted friends behind. Never mind' dear friends, don 't get puffed up over it, cause after all it was only a dream. D0C77 O7DID. 29 -2 192.3 Q-