Central High School - Cog N Pen Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

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work, and Roxie to continue her wanderings о ег the country-side. Like a flitting bird she sped away over trickling brooks and fallen leaves, racing with the Like this she roamed the whole day, stopping in one place to eat some berries and drink from a brook. At length when the day began to wane, Roxie, tired but happy, with her for her darling Lights had already begun to appear in some houses—crickets chirped and the frogs croaked and splashed in the distant swamp, the moon peeked forth from behind a fast disappearing cloud—a myriad of stars shone brightly against the dark blue of the tranquil heavens while down by the old mill the wild roses cast a delicate scent over the entire neighborhood—an owl hooted mournfully іп a nearby tree—nightfall. Roxie came into the house, received a mild scold- twittering birds and bees. arms full of sweet wild flowers mother, tramped slowly into the village. ing from her mother as was usual, which she kissed away as usual, put the flowers in a vase and went to her room. Not much later she reappeared in a quaint little gown, her hair surrounded by a ribbon while tiny feet peeped forth from beneath her exceedingly Came supper—the prayer and then the cattle of dishes. Pere and Mere Valtier beamed proudly upon their loving daughter and felt devoutly thankful to the Almighty for having blessed them with such a dainty piece of femininity. After supper, the dishes washed and. put away, Roxie sat down to wait for Raoul. Mother sat busily knitting, while great, big father puffed contentedly on his briar and read the news of the day. Suddenly came a knock on the door. Roxie sprang up, went to the door and admitted the expected one. He came in, entirely at ease, bowed to her parents and began to talk of what was going on. Yes, the Revolutionists were stirring up trouble. War was inevitable. The people must have liberty and. be freed from the oppression and tyranny vf the Nobility. If the opportunity came, he himself would go. It was his pledge. His pledge to his dead parents. Roxie shuddered, and with a forced laugh said, “Соте, stop this talk of war and disaster. Come Raoul, we will out and play with the moonbeams. See, they beckon. And with this they went out together leaving the Valtiers to speak in a troubled fa-hion of this cloud that hovered on the horizon. wide dress. It unnerves me. My God, muttered Valtier. “If this war should come, I dread to think what would happen to us. Mon dieu, the Four Horsemen would ride on faster than ever. Mme. Valtier sighed but made no comment. Meanwhile Roxie and Raoul had th rown aside trouble and were now only concerned in one another. They walked arm in arm towards the Inn, whispering softly. On the way, they paused at the head of the lake and gazed out on the clear expanse of water Save for the droning insects and the soft lapping of the waters on Raoul and Roxie, however, At length they arrived The cheery lights and laughter beckoned to All was merry. squeaky fiddlers in the corner played while the people that was now as smooth as a mirror. the shore, all was quiet. soon continued on to the Inn. there. them, so in they went. The two danced until, in a great burst of applause the dance Raoul and Roxie quietly went to a comer It was ended. table and began to sip wine and eat cake. a cheerful atmosphere. No one dreamed of the hor- rors that were soon to come. Suddenly, the door burst open and a crowd of noblemen (probably bound for some castle) entered and demanded wine in boisterous tones, disdainfully gazing at the same time, at the hushed people. Roxie and Raoul paid no attention to them but continued to whisper to one another. So the hours flew. It was time to go, so they both arose and started for the door. The noblemen, in the meantime had been drinking heavily and as Raoul and Roxie passed them, they all glanced at the belle of the town and ad- mired her refined beauty and lithe figure in audible tones. One nobleman, L’Estrange, by name, stag- gered noisily after them and clumsily stretched put his hand to detain Roxie. Stay, my doll, he spoke, stay awhile longer. Raoul, who had been :tand- ing near, took a step forward until he stood between Roxie and L'Estrange. Then with a sudden move- ment he brought his hand with a sudden slap to the cheek of L'Estrange. The room grew painfully sil- ent. L'Estrange sobered a bit. Не was white and the imprint of Raoul’s hand was still on his cheek. Raoul, a step away, was trembling with passion, while Roxie, holding his arm was very much afraid. I want you to kiss me.”

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vu, 2 ` | П DT T LL DRUMS OF DOOM By Morris Targer Nestling in among the Raveaux Hills lies р . Aubrey, а tiny French village of some four hundred people. Picture Dawn! The sun, a molten ball of fire creeps slowly up above the waving green meadows, darting forth multicolored streaks of flame. At length with a startling suddenness, Old Sol blazes forth upon a peaceful world, gleaming wondrously in all his dazzling splendor. А new day has come! The sleepy little hamlet begins to awaken. A cock's shrill clarion—the yelp of a dog and a thin line of smoke begins to curl towards the heavens. “hen another and another. Soon Andre Valtier, big of bone and heart is seen walking to his blacksmith chop, singing to himself. Не is at peace with the world. A few minutes later, the clang of the anvil -ings out midst the neighing of many horses. As if by signal immediately all the little shops and booths began to open and the children to appear, walking in merry groups of threes and fours, going to school with their books in their arms. The tinkling of a cowbell, the faint bah-h of a sheep—all chimed in to make this an atmosphere of quiet and serenity. Then from the Mme. Valtiers house, darted a slim, lissome girl of some eighteen summers. Her hair was a deep chestnut brown, that matched Old Sol 8 in radiance, her smooth oval face with just a tinge of red in each cheek was as smooth as а baby’s. Her eyes were big and brown and sparkled mis- He nose was a bit tilted and her full This With a sudden peal of joy, Roxie raced away as light as a chievously. red lips surrounded a set of pearl white teeth. was Roxie Valtier, daughter of the blacksmith. fawn, for walking ahead she espied Raoul Lenisse, her betrothed. When but a few yards distant she raised her voice and said, in a tone of mock severity, He does not Oh!” anger, “So, this is how my beloved one acts. even deign to see his little Roxie. she cried tremulously, “I am mad with and she stamped her tiny foot on the ground. On hearing her voice, Raoul immediately turned around and seeing who it was, walked back hastily and took her in his arms in a bear-like embrace. “Oh,” she cried, looking up into his dark, hand- some face. “І love уош.” And I you,” returned the happy Raoul as he pressed his lips to hers. Then he released her and flushed but glad, they both continued to walk along the road, her ridiculously small hand in his own, each wrapt in silence. So they continued until they came to the crossroads, where they parted, Raoul to go to

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Monsieur, spoke L'Estrange, in a voice entirely sober and deathly cold, this must be avenged. You must fight me tonight, now in fact, as in an hour, we leave. Raoul bowed. Then Roxie burst forth, ‘Raoul, if you love me, do not fight, you will be killed. Her voice rose, I beg of you, my dear betrothed, do not fight. Raoul, tight lipped, spoke: Gentlemen, I zo to bring my beloved home. But I return before the Adieu. Then turning to Roxie, he said, “Соте, dear one, the hour is late. It is high time you were safe in your mother's arms. Allons.” He strode out into the starry night, followed by the tearful Roxie. hour is ten. Flower of flowers, he said to Roxie, “по! even for you can I jeopardize my honor. I will teach this unruly pig of a nobleman to stay where he belongs and to keep his soiled hands away from my lily. Finally they arrived home. In а few terse words, Raoul explained everything. Valtier nodded under- standingly and with a crushing grip of hands wished him luck while Mme. Valtier kissed him. Roxie had gone to bed where she cried herself into a troubled sleep. Raoul immediately went to his sword. rooms for his outside the village, Raoul was one of the best of France's swordmen. Still he knew that he was to face a worthy opponent, for in L'Estrange, he was pitted against Nobility': deadliest sword. Unknown to anyone Soon he arrived at the Inn; every thing had been prepared and cleared away. He burst through the door and, taking off his coat (L'Estrange had his off already) Raoul unsheathed his sword and began to make passes in the air. After a moment or two he was satisfied. His wrist had not lost its flexibility by any means. Raoul approached L'Estrange and smilingly said, I am ready, Jean Jacques yonder, and he pointed to a friend of his, will second me.” L'Estrange bowed coldly. They both went to the center of the room, raised their weapons and the fight was on. Raoul was cautious and played the defensive as he wanted to test L’Estrange’s abilities. He was impressed by the skillful way іп which L'Estrange handled his weapon and knew that his adversary would press him hard. However, L’- Estrange angered that this peasant should give him such a hard battle, doubled the fury of his attack. But, this frenzy was short lived and soon L’Estrange found himself breathing hard. Now Raoul took the the offensive. The clash of stee! resounded through the entire Inn. both Lightning-like thrusts were evident on Feint thrust But it seemed that L'Estrange was getting heavy on his feet. sides. parry and so it was. His eyes were glaring and his tongue was dry: Не seemed to be battling against a resistless Time and again as he would glance at Raoul's eyes, he would become disheartened, for there lurked but “опе kill. Finally Raoul thought that L’Estrange had gone far enough. force. purpose—to And now the spectators were treated to a bit of sword play that made their eyes glisten. Like a flame was Raoul’s glittering here and there and parrying: sword -feinting—thrusting At last with a tremendous thrust he drove his sword through L’Estrange and watched him fall as the death rattle sounded in his throat. [he Nobility, too amazed to do anything, could only gaze awe stricken at their fallen comrade. That he, L'Estrange, the deadliest sword of all France, should have been killed by a mere commoner and killed by superior swordsmanship was quite impos- sible. Raoul quick to grasp his opportunity, ran from the Inn. For he knew that {о Бе caught now by the Nobility would mean death. Already had M. -Guillotine made his appearance with his deadly instrument of destruction. So with the speed of a deer, he ran to Valtier’s home, where he found Valtier waiting ouside for him anxiously with a saddled horse and other necessities. “Сод speed, my boy, he whispered to Raoul, little dreaming that he would never see him again. Now, like a flitting shadow, Roxie appeared, with eyes red from weeping. Raoul took her in his arms. Desire of my heart, he spoke pantingly, “І must gd. But not for long. Не covered her lips nnd cheeks with kisses and then, thrusting her from him, mounted his horse and, with a wave of his hand rode away into the night. Faintly o'er the hills came the threatening beat of rolling drums. Drums of vengeance! They called incessantly, Roxie and her father, hand in hand gazed silently after the fast disappearing figure. At length with a