Butler High School - Magnet Yearbook (Butler, PA)

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6 r II h: S •; N l O R A G N :' T David a handsome young man. Their dispositions had not changed with the passing years. David had left his freckles behind and Beth was more beautiful than ever before. It was a cool autumn evening, the leaves all red and yellow, lav in heaps or were scattered hither and thither by the chilly breeze. David sat in the library looking over some books, lie glanced up and just at this moment Beth entered the room. “Going any place tonight, Beth? he said. “Yes, to a party with Willis. How do I look?” He studied her for a moment. Her brown curls were piled high, her eyes sparkled like dewdrops, and her dress of blue satin and silver lace, hung in graceful lines about her slender figure. “Wonderful! was the reply, but it would not have been necessary for him to speak, for Beth saw the admiration in his brown eyes and was pleased. “Why don’t you ever take me to any dances or parties, David?” she teased. I don’t care for that sort of life, Beth,” he said smiling, “and besides I’m kept quite busy with my work at the bank.” “Nonsense,” she replied. “You could let that go. 1 don’t think you care as much for me as you once did.” “Beth, you know I— But at this time Willis arrived and whisked Beth off to the party and David was left alone as usual. “What a fool I am,” he mused, “Always sitting back and letting that sap-head take Beth. How much happied this life of mine would be if Beth loved me. I guess I’m too serious to suit her though, and with these thoughts running through his mind, he sat until suddenly startled by the ringing of the phone. “Hello! yes this is Beaumont’s residence. What! in an accident? Yes, I’ll tell her. Hurling the receiver down, he rushed into the drawing room where he found Mrs. Beaumont. “Mother dear, dad has met with an accident; was struck by an automobile and is at the Penn Hospital. Hurry! Put your wraps on and I’ll drive you over.” Quicker than it takes to tell, they were on their way and soon the hospital was reached. Mrs. Beaumont rushed into the room where her husband lay dying on the hed. She went over and knelt bv his side. Placing his outstretched hand on hers, he whispered— “Katharine, I guess it’s all up with me. Give my love to our dear daughter and tell her that it is my wish that she marry David. May God bless you, my faithful wife, and David 1— But the rest of the words were inaudible as strength was leaving his body and he was sinking fast. His wife softly sobbed while David stood motionless beside her. He tried to speak and comfort her, but the words stuck in his throat and he could not. I he wounded man stirred, then sank back, and all was ended. The life that was so dear to him had departed and he lay cold and still. David, without speaking, led Mrs. Beaumont away and silently they rode home. Long into the hours of the morning, they sat before the once cheerful fire and bore their grief together. Spring had come, the trees were in blossom, and the gay little birds sang merrily as they flew from place to place gathering straw and the necessary materials for their nests, while the blue sky smiled serenely from above. Beth, who had become engaged to Willis despite her mother’s wish that she marry David, was preparing for her marriage, and was packing her belongings, as she was soon to leave her home. Mrs. Beaumont had left for Chicago shortly after the death of her husband and was living with a friend of hers.

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THE SENIOR {MAGNET 5 PRO AGTORE Pauline Schmoker The merry tinkle of the sleighhells echoed in the frosty air of the winter’s night. The snow fell softly without, and the cheerful fire glowed warmly within the beautiful Beaumont home which was situated on the outskirts of New York City. All was peace and contentment in the smiling faces of the inmates. There was good-natured Mr. Beaumont, seated before the fire reading the jokes in the paper to his pretty wife, who enjoyed them exceedingly. Then there was Elizabeth, whom they called Beth, their'only child, the pride and joy of her parents. She was sitting in front of the fire playing with her dolls. Beside her sat David, a very thoughtful, freckled face lad, who had been adopted by the Beaumonts four years ago, thoroughly absorbed in building castles in the air. David, who was about a year older than Beth, worshipped her with all of his young heart. Although she had been pampered and petted, w-as rather unreasonable and spoiled, he liked her all the more, for who could resist the sparkling smile of that fair little face? To David she was a little fairy who had dropped from an enchanted castle, lie was always the Prince Charming and Willis Whitsell, a schoolmate of Beth’s, who ad- mired her greatly, was the wicked enchanter; and so in David’s mind was formed many a wondrous story with these three persons, he, of course, always winning the hand of the fair Beth. But as our dreams are often the opposite of real life, so it was with David’s. Although Beth liked him, she preferred Willis as a playmate instead of David, and David was often left alone while these two romped together. David hated his rival and oft times he would walk home anger raging within him and striving manfully to keep down the sobs that rose in his throat. Beth’s indifference to him cut him deeply and made his hatred for Willis even more intense. Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont loved David as their own and he worshipped them in return. Davit!, when five years old, had been adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont and reared as their own, being the child of friends of theirs who had passed away during the scourge of influenza. Mr. Beaumont, who was a banker, had planned a bright future for his adopted son. David was to be sent to one of the best colleges in the country, after which he was to be employed bv his father in the bank. And so the years fly by with speed until we find Beth a young woman and

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r II •: S E N10 R cM A G N E T 7 Just as Beth was finishing her packing, a letter was brought to her by the maid. Seeing that it was from her mother, she hastily opened it and read— My darling daughter— I suppose bv the time this letter reaches you, you will have your wedding all planned. But, my dear, I wish you would grant the wish of your dead father and marry David. David loves you, Beth, and would make you a much better husband than Willis. I beg you to consider this as I fear you are making a mistake by marrying Willis, and if so, it is one that you will greatly regret. Write and tell me that you’ll marry David and I shall be much happier. With love, Mother. For a moment Beth wavered, but her mind was made up. Marry David? Not she. I le never went to parties and she could never be happy with a man who didn’t travel with her set. She wrote and told her mother that everything was settled, and she was going to marry Willis. This done, she continued with her work until interrupted by David, who had entered unnoticed and stood watching her. “Well! where are you going?” she said as she saw he had his wraps on and a suitcase in each hand. “1 don’t know yet, Beth. I’m just going that’s all. I came in to say goodbye and wish you happiness in your married life.” “Why, David,” she said in surprise, “Surely you’ll not leave New York? I really—why this—that is I thought—” she stammered, not knowing what she wanted to say. “Yes, I think I’ll leave New York,” he replied, “And as I don’t have much time to get to the train, I must hurry.” She stood silent; he bade her farewell and left. Still she did not speak. When he was gone, she threw herself down in a chair and cried as though her heart would break. Then she dried her eyes and wondered why she felt so lonely without him. In the meanwhile in London, a noted stock company is rehearsing a play which is expected to be the best of the season. All London awaits the release of this drama and it is talked of far and wide. The leading man, William Richley, is a much renowned person in this great city, and it is just recently that he has become famous. He is one of the best actors on the London stage and has a very promising career before him. The part that he has in the play is the best he has ever had, and he is eager to appear in this great role. Many weary nights he spends going over his part and finally is ready to portray the character in the story. At last the eventful night arrives. The theater is crowded and impatiently awaits for the curtain to rise. The orchestra has filed in and has began to play. Behind the scenes a few last touches are added here and there. W’m. Richley is in his dressing room taking a last look at his role. All is ready and the signal for the curtain is about to be given, when the door of Richley’s room is thrown open and Mary, the maid of the leading woman, stands before him. “Well?” he said impatiently. “Oh, sir!” replied Mary, “My mistress is sick and it will be impossible for her to go on the stage tonight.” Richley looked dumbfounded for a minute. The leading woman not able to appear? What was to be done? Finally he said: “She must go on. there is no other way; and besides she will only have to come on in the last act.” Mary shook her head. “No, she is too ill and is getting ready to go home this very minute.”