Central Intermediate School - Memories Yearbook (Ottawa, IL)

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'gnggef Z- PDLYSCDWPE E :-113262 52301 Ruth giggled nervously. And I fell into the creek on the Way and got my clothes all wet. I was afraid to come home. Yes, I remember. Grandpa chuckled to himself, but peered at her intently from the cor- ner of his eyes. I'll never forget the Way you looked when you slipped into my room- wet and scared as a little white kitten. But we fixed it up, didn't we, Ruthie ? The girl's answer was low and thoughtful. That was the afternoon you made mother go calling with you, wasn't it, and you bribed old Belle to press up my clothes while you were gone. You were a brick, grandpa-more than once I Yeh. We used to have some great times, didn't we, Ruthie '? Ruth looked up quickly and met the old man's eyes with a keen flash of understanding. She laughed rather awkwardly. You might just as well say 'Out with it!' as you used to, grandpa, 'cause I know that's what you mean. She stopped. Well ? the tone was confidential, encouraging. Oh, it's no use trying to keep anything from you, is it? I've tried to do it quite a bit lately, but you always see right through me. The words came out in short, reluctant jerks, excited and almost hysterical. Then she Went on quietly, Wayne and I were married last Saturday in Eau Claire. There was a long silence. Ruth winced at the look of pain on her grandfather's face. It hurt her to know she had caused it, yet it was a re- lief to tell him. We've weathered lots of storms, my girl. The husky voice was full of sympathy. Let's have it all. Ruth Harmon shrugged her shoulders helplessly. You know about all of it. You know how mother and dad have talked and acted about Wayne. They forbid my going with him, but-well, that didn't stop us! She tossed her head rebelliously. I've been seeing almost as much of him as before. Oh, I know it wasn't right, and I suffered over it, too, let me tell you. Then we decided the best way was not to wait any longer, but to get married so we'd have a right to be together. He's been promoted to a position in Eau Claire now. He goes next month-I'm going, too. We'll miss you, Ruthie. Ruth reached up and covered one of his hands with her own. I know it, grandpa. You've been one peach to me. I'll miss you, too. And now what's to be done? I'm going, that's certain. I'll have graduated by that time, so that's one worry we won't have. She paused. Then went on impulsively: Oh, grandpa, I had to do it. Don't you see that I did? All the folks have against him is that he spends every cent he lays his hands on. I know he does, but I trust him enough to know he'll get over that. I haven't said much because I don't Want him to think I'm nagging at him. I wish the folks would see my side of it, but they won't even try. Well, it's done, and it'll stay done V' Ruth looked up at the old man coaxingly, Won't it ? He only smiled and pressed her hand. Wayne's a fine fellow, Ruthie. I'Ve poked around and found out that much about him. Now you run over to Madge's with your studying, but-say, come back in time to help a lot

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EIQZBLE 5 PQLYSCQFE 3 :iaszsi 52291 GRANDPA TAKES A HAND By LOUISE MEYER Grandpa Harmon dragged himself slowly across the backyard. His knees were unsteady, and bent under him as though the weight of his shrunken body was growing almost too great for them to carry. Yet, in spite of the uncertainty of his steps, there was a pride and dignity in his bearing which defied offers of assistance, Grandpa Harmon scorned a cane. He gained the bench in the garden at last, and sank into it with a suppressed sigh of relief. Flinging back his head like a spirited young horse, he drew in long breaths of the spring-scented air. The lilacs were in bloom, but were beginning to show signs of the ending of their season. The tips of the blooms were tinged with brown. Grandpa Harmon reached out and picked one and absent-mindedly began plucking it to pieces. His gaze was turned steadfastly toward the street. His shaggy brows grad- ually drew together in a frown. Once he started to his feet impatiently, thought better of it, and sat down again. His fingers drummed on the arm of the bench. A few minutes later a broad smile wrinkled the corners of his eyes. Ruthie! he called softly, and followed the word with a long, low whistle. Ruth Harmon looked up at the sound and waved to the old man. Then slowly, almost unwillingly it seemed, she turned into the yard and came towards him. Her brightly-colored dress, the bright ribbon around her dark bobbed hair, accentuated sharply the lack of color in her mood. The brown eyes which usually sparkled so mischievously looked dull and quiet. Her whole being, always till lately so vibrant and gay, drooped wearily. She tossed her books aside and dropped to the ground. Another day gone, she volunteered, and tried to bring into her voice some of the old-time ring. Uh-huh, grandpa agreed. He waited a moment, then began to hum under his breath. Pulled an 'A' in free-hand drawing again today. Good, Ruthie. Everything else coming along good, too ? Oh-fair, got a 'D' in chemistry quiz, and burned my hand in labora- tory, in the bargain. Bad ? 1 h eldo, not very. Not as bad as the last time. Remember the last burn ad . Grandpa Harmon looked at her keenly and kindly. Did she think she was fooling him by sitting there and making talk ? His heart ached for her. His eyes were dim when he answered. 'Course I remember it, Ruthie. Didn't I wrap it up for you? I've been sitting out here sort of remembering lots of things this afternoon. You used to be a funny little body, honey, always busy, never still a minute. I happened to think of the day you ran away and followed the boys when they went fishing. Remember it? You couldn't have been over five.

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gage-.1-1: 5 PDLYSCOPE 2 -'Li'-19262 52311 with the supper. His eyes twinkled as she hugged him and ran away, al- most her lively old self. For a long time Grandpa Harmon sat on the old garden bench. It was not till he felt the sting of the cool breeze which had sprung up that he roused himself from his thoughts. Then he stooped over, stiffly and feebly, and he picked a handful of small red radishes, which he carried into the house. Here, Margaret, I picked you some radishes-nice radishesf' His daughter-in-law looked at him suspiciously, but said nothing'. She still said nothing when he and Ruth started off for a turn around the block, after the evening meal was over and the dishes washed. Two blocks from home they stepped into a waiting car-a handsome car of an expensive make. The ride was not long, but the conversation was terse and to the point. The next morning while Ruth was at school, Grandpa Harmon man- aged to corner Ruth's mother as she bent over the ironing board in the basement. I hear Wayne Faber has been promoted to be assistant manager of the branch office at Eau Claire, he observed conversationally. Oh, he has, has he? I wonder who he got to pull for him ? Nobody that I know of. Seems he's been doing some pretty g'ood work lately-he's selling his car, too, he added, innocently, and as an after- thought. Mrs. Harmon set the i1'on down with a loud thump and gazed at her father-in-law as though questioning his reason. Wayne Faber sold his car! You'll be telling me next he's saving the money, I suppose ! Well now, it looks that way. He has quite a little pile, I guess. Some old man-oh, left him some, too. He coughed, the words stuck guiltily in his throat. You see, Margaret, it was like this. I-Ie's just crazy over some girl -just plain gone on her. And he's saved this money, 'cause they were married last week. Margaret Harmon stiffened. Her face fiushed darkly, dangerously. So I she snapped fiercely, but he seemed not to mind. Sol He pre- tends to be in love with my Ruth one day, and then the next can fall so far in love with another girl that he's willing to break all the traditions that have grown up about him, so he can marry her. I'd just begun to think that maybe he did amount to something after all-and you add that! As if my Ruth -. She stopped, overcome by her angry indignation. Grandpa rubbed his hands together nervously. Little drops of per- spiration stood on his forehead. His voice was pleading and uncommonly gentle. Well, now Margaret, you see it's like this. He did it out of love for our-your Ruth, Margaret. It's awful hard for two young ones what's in love to-to stay put-when the family separates 'em. I guess all young folks are like that when the old folks don't understand. You-you recollect -you and J im-what you did, don't you ?. Don't you, Margaret ?