Castle School - Drawbridge Yearbook (Tarrytown, NY)

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Tia 12 D R A w is R 1 D G F ' 4 N i H af I cf v n - T re lf n I y placed on a carved stand of ancient design. Timidly and with awe I approached. For a moment it dazzled me, then I began to see it more clearly. 'fls there not someone you would like to ask about? she queried. Yes, my classmates. XVhere are they? I man- aged to gasp, still hardly believing such a thing could lie true. 'I'here was blacl She placed her two delicate white hands on either side of the globe and peered at it for several moments, then in a low voice she began: I see Florida, the land of sunshine and flowers. People are strolling about. I see a large building, it is a school of gymnastics. Your classmate, bliss Katherine McDonald, is principal and is working diligently to interest everyone in athletics, so that even that enervating climate will not lessen their energetic activity. Yes, I see her approaching. She is tall and stately and moves with a graceful tread. 'lOh -unconsciously slipped from my lips, and what is Peggy doing ? I see a brilliantly lighted ballroom. One of the leading events of the social year in San Francisco is in progress. bIiss NIargaret Parrish is giving her annual reception. A host of admirers is hovering near. Although she is smiling graciously at all of them I fear she is a bit worried. She seems to be wondering to which one she will eventually give her heart. It will be such a diiiicult question for her to decide she may have to remain a spinster to the end of her days. 'KNOW did any of us ever dream this would be the case? YVhat queer things time brings forth. And where is Lotto ? In a moment she went on. UI-Iow happy your friend is. She is now bfIrs. IVillis McGerald Peirce. IVhat a sweet attractive little bungalow in Pennsylvania-roses are encircling the windows. They are sitting out on the veranda in the twilight, talking as interestedly as if they had just met. Of course this bit of information was not in the least surprising. Isn't it just what we all expected? Next I inquired about Yirgia. I knew live years must have placed her high on the ladder of success, so I was quite prepared for what followed. Miss Yirgia Stark I see in a high position of trust and responsibility, She is vitally alive on all the issues ofthe day, having taken a leading part in all measures pertaining to the betterment of little children. :Xside from serving on many committees she has found the time to write a novel, which, al- though recently published has caused quite a stir in literary circles. Irler well ordered home is a credit to any woman. Wliell me about Iidithf' UI see an Army Post in the Philippines. A jolly gathering of army oflicers with their wives are danc- ing to the slow dreamy Hawaiian music. In the midst of them I see your friend who is now the popu- lar wife of the favorite captain of the Post. She was formerly Nliss Edith Strongf' Ive all wondered what Polly would do. Can you tell me ? I see a business oliice and bending over a desk, busily occupied, is bfIiss Orton. She graduated from college after leaving the Castle and is now advancing rapidly in her business career. If she does not soon succumb to cupid's darts she will go far in the busi- ness world. One young man is very persistent. Soon wedding bells will ringfl f'Yes, and I-Iildaf' I see an Italian villa and in the beautiful formal gardens a man and woman are strolling arm in arm. I-Ie is pointing out the beauty of the sunset. Yes, she is the beautiful American girl, your friend, who mar- ried an Italian count. He is proud of his attractive American wife. There was quite a bit of romance attached to the marriage. After leaving Spain we plan to go to Italy so I shall certainly make a point of seeing I-Iilda. Tell me about Alma?'I

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Sewer Pmpfzeq Somewhere in Spain, June I, 1925. Dearest Friend: Have been here in Spain a month now and I had my first real exciting adventure yesterday afternoon. I just had to sit down and write you immediately for I know you will be interested. You remember how we used to wonder where we would all be five years after graduation. Let me tell you all the news. I was out in the Lark,'l my little flyabout, explor- ing the countryside, when the 'fI.ark wavered for a moment in mid-air, went on a short distance, then fluttered to the ground. Instantly I knew what the trouble was. I had failed to have her needs looked after before starting and there I was alone in the woods and no gas. Gloomily I looked about for signs of life and seeing none I started off toward a hillrwhich struck me as being the most promising looking direction. Why? I don't know. Kind old Fate must have been leading me. I had not gone far when I stopped short and sniffed-yes, actually sniffed the air. The air was heavy with a delightful and familiar odor. I sniffed again, then came recognition. It was the fragrance of wisteria I was inhaling. Like a Hash memories of the lovely lavender clusters which each Spring clung tenaciously to the grey stone porte-cochere of our Castle rushed back to me. As I walked on more slowly I dreamed of the happy days that were no more and wondered whither our different paths had led and what we were all doing, ' Presently just over the brow of the hill I detected a grey tower. I quickened my speed to find out what sort of place I was approaching, I even ran, and bit by bit as I could make out more of it I recog- nized the building. It was The Castle, our Castle. All thought of Spain was forgotten, then I began to think more clearly. Ifvhy it couldnlt be. I was thousands of miles away from the region of Sleepy Hollow. What could it mean? Finally it came to me. I-Iad I not been told that our Castle had been modelled after a lovely one in the Pyrenees? Timidly I approached and hardly realizing what I was doing I had let fall the heavy bronze knocker, and, still a bit dazed I slowly entered the familiar entrance hall and was ushered by the unquestioning servant into the study. As I passed the stairs I thought I almost heard the sound of IQIS Victrola playing 'fDardanella.l' I was left alone. What could my explanation to my unknown hostess be? I-Iow 'could I explain my presence there? Such har- rowing thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of a lovely little old lady clad ina garment of soft gray. Her lovely head was crowned with white hair and as she approached she smiled, held out her hand and greeted me cordially. I could not speak. She did not seem to notice this omission on my part and went on: I felt I was to have a caller today. VVon't you sit down ?l' I sank limply on the nearest chair. 'KI have been looking forward to your coming. You see I saw you in my crystal yesterday. Although I remain here all the time away from the excitement of the world I keep track of all that is happening through my crystal in which I am able to see many things others never dream ,are possiblef' Your crystalf' I gasped. 'gYou knew I was coming? Yes-it has been preserved here for many cen- turies by my family. Few know of its existence. You look rather doubtful. Would you care to see it ? fOh, yes indeedf' Slowly and with a graceful gesture she drew back some velvet hangingsu disclosing a dark alcove, dark except for a glistening, wonderful crystal globe

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THE DRAWBRIDGE Nineteen-Twenty She paused for a moment, then spoke, her gaze still firmly fixed on the crystal: I see a crowded theatre. They are waiting for the speaker to begin. There Alma Shore is now. She is speaking on Socialism and is forcibly announc- ing her views 'on how the weak and oppressed should be looked afterf' To think Alma has come to this! Giving up all pleasure to arouse interest in Socialism. What can Helen be doing? How plainly I see her. She is dressed for even- ing in a gown of white satin. She is one of the most admired society matrons in Arkansas and is spon- soring at the Charity Ball to which she has devoted so much'of her time of latef' y HAre you tired?'l l asked, fearing to tax her strength with so much questioning. l am certain you wish to hear about the others. I am never tired when doing thisf, i Oh, do you see Ethel? I Yes, l see a class room where a psychology class is in progress. Miss Burnell, head of the psychology department, is instructing the students in the incon- sistency and perversity of human nature. They are all listening attentivelyf, Where is Marue? What do you see her doing ? I see a ballroom. Only one couple on the floor. bliss Cobb has gained much success as one of the most graceful exponents of modern social dancing. Tonight she is giving an exhibition of the latest steps which she has devised. There were so many things Florence wanted to do. Please tell me which she finally did? I see a slum district of New York. ln a dingy, poorly furnished room a group of children of vari- ous ages are sitting listening to a story being read to them. VVhy, it is Florence lVlartin who is enter- taining them. She is in the uniform of a social worker. What a picture she makes as she sits there surrounded by their happy faces. For the time at least they are living in a wonderful fairylandf' Laura Norton-l haven't heard about her yet. The little lady smiled a kindly smile as she looked into the crystal and then up at me., 'fThere! There she is, sitting under a lovely tree in the grounds of a beautiful Southern home. She looks happy. ,And her husband, that handsome man at her side, looks happy. too. She is reading poetry to him, pausing for a smile between linesf' l remembered what a clever pupil of Nliss Beatty Laura had been, so l didn't wonder that her hus- band found such contentment in the diversion. l was glad that Laura had turned her art tosuch prac- tical, or would you say romantic, ends. l thanked the little old lady and left the Castle as in a dream, thankful that l had had the pleasure and the privilege of seeing the Lucky Thirteen as they were after five years. ANY 1920 SENIOR. 3 l viii' 1