Catholic High School For Girls - Silver Sands Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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I 42 , HE SMALL house had been closed for ten years. Yet it seemed only yesterday that Kitty had left it, just eighteen and a smiling young graduate of Hallahan. Those ten years had seen the death of her father and mother in a train wreck and an entire new life for her. Stand- ing in the weed-overgrown yard, Kitty could see again the scarlet rosebush, her mother's pride and joy, the green grass young and tender, the white picket fence with the ivy growing over it, and the starched curtains bil- lowing in the breeze. The old apple tree brought many memories flooding back, too. When she was seven she fell out of it g at ten she had a swing from which she might see the world from new heights, at fifteen she re- ceived her first bashful kiss beneath it from the boy next door. You know, Kitty, he had said, I think you are pretty swell. Why, David! I think you're nice too, she had replied. Then came the hesitant kiss, sweet with the blush of youth. Yes, the tree held a great many memories in its leafy boughs. Every nook and cranny of the premises held its own small secrets. I Opening the door, she stepped in- side, half expecting to hear her mo- ther's gay greeting from the kitchen, Is that you, Kitty? I need some things from the store. How many times she had found a million and one excuses not to go 3 now she would have been happy to do the least serv- ice for her. just to see her again! She hurried on, for there was little time left, and she had much to see. In the living room, although bare of superfluous furniture now, she could visualize the wom rug and her old piano. How dusty the staircase was l Yet it was such a short time ago that she had floated down it in a frosty pink gown, ready to go to the prom with Jim, her favorite beau. Mom and Dad were there smiling through misty eyes. What a happy night, the kind to remember for al- waysl A Here are your flowers, Kitty, he had said. You sure look nice! Have a good time, children, and

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. 1-: I . V Q f. . ' i fi f 1 . If A - A , 5? Y I I rx: Ai-.. gl. r ' w K iv, 'tv it in , i M - . Stiff: ' ' f'3 f 4'-j:-T ' , 45 J Nh , Q N4 1 '. 2 1 gif.- ,N 9 : I V - 1 -'NES'-W pi, 1. , , - f it 'x b l W'-5' , , f , p I ,. M I I 5 n 'w- if By Catherine McKenna, '51 Illustrated by Suzanne Mayor,

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THE 1951 Sxnvnn SANDS be careful, came from her father. Take good care of her and watch the hoops in the skirt, had been her mother's advice. Then with a smile they were off. But time yvas speeding on, and she still hadn't been to her room. It was bare, too, but memory was strong enough to make her see the pennants on the wall, the bed with its brightly colored spread, and the bureau with all its beauty aids lined up. The cur- tains of pale blue were bluer and fresher in her mind now that she was back home, if only for a time. Her parents' room still held the old dressing table with the glass mirrors, though they were misty with cobwebs. The closet disclosed one old pair of trousers and an old felt hat. How proud her father had been wearing it, how tall and straight! Write soon and let Dad and me 14 A ve M aria' '- The words Rang clear And sounded Her reply 7 Was thusg Had begun F or us. gf' I n the Virginfr ear. Be it done unto me - And redemption know how you are, darling, and let us know when we can come to see you. 'Bye, honey, take care of yourself. Remember, if you want to come home, just hop the train and we'll be wait- mg. Those were Pop's and 'Mom's last words to her. Sister Teresa would be waiting at the gate for her, waiting to board the train for New York. In the yard the SOLD sign looked forlorn. Soon, though, the old house would know a new life, just as she would. She closed the gate and it wheezed. Then it was over. She did not turn back but took quick steps toward the train station. The next phase of her life was about to begin. Kitty, Sister Margaret Elizabeth, was going to the West Indies as a missionary. This had been goodbye to the tender mem- ories of home. ! i Z .f' xx N w -5 Q1 Hg' 17 KATHLEEN Amnnuso, 'SZ