Butler High School - Magnet Yearbook (Butler, PA)

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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.”

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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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8 TII E SENIOR EM A G N E T She looked thoughtful for a moment, then added— “Why not use the understudy?” Understudy! I forgot about her,” said Richley. “But does she know the part ?” “Yes,” said Mary, “And as you said she will have to appear only in the last act.” “But she’s new and if the play is not a success, 1 shall he badly disappointed after all my trouble and worry.” “Even if she is new, she has talent and has practiced the part under the direction of my mistress. Besides,” Mary added slyly, “She’s a mighty good-looker.” “Very well, Mary, have her get ready at once and I must hurry as it is now past time for beginning.” The audience fussed, twisted about, shuffled its feet: why didn’t that curtain rise? Richley added a few last touches of make-up and rushed out upon the stage. The curtain rose, the audience subsided, and all was still. The first three acts passed without mishap. The play was a success, so far, yet Richley was worried for fear that the new leading woman might spoil it. He had never seen her and was troubled. Nevertheless, the curtain rose for the' last and most important scene. The leading lady was standing in the center of the stage. She gave her lines, then bowed her head. Richley entered and advancing toward her said: “Margaret, mv dearest. I knew that you would return to me some day. You know 1 love you: surely you will not refuse me now. Marry me and make me happy. I le folded her in his arms. She raised her head to reply and he looked down at her. “My God!—Beth”—he quickly checked the words that would have come. “David, she gasped—then stopped and went on with her part. “I’ll marry you now, my dearest friend.” He kissed her and the curtain was lowered. The audience thundered its applause and after many encores the curtain remained down and the people filed out of the theater and were whirled away in their taxies, talking of nothing but the wonderful play. Behind the curtain stood David gazing at Beth as though he could scarcely believe his own eyes. “How did you ever get here?” he asked at length. Then she told him of her life with Willis; how he had squandered her money; gone out with other women, and made life so wretched for her that she was forced to leave. She received word later of his death. He had quarrel with a friend of his and had been killed. After that she had gone on the stage and wandered from place to place, growing more disheartened all the time. Then she had come to London where she had become acquainted with Rosalie Abbott, the leading woman of this company. Miss Abbott seeing that Beth was talented, had taken her as her understudy. David put his arms in the same position in which they had been at the end of the fourth act, and raising her face to his, he softly said: “Dear little girl, you will make a fine actress, and if it is agreeable to you, I would like to sign you up as my leading lady for life.” She smiled and gave him the same answer as she had in the closing scene of the play. £ £