Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

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THE REFLEC7 OR --l- .1 i1 l- Yes, I--I-- Sylvia was flustrated. But think of father. You know he'll never consent. Even if I were to agree to support him as well as you? Even if you did, the answer'd be the same. Well, we don't have to have his consent. Xve can go off, get m-- Phil, stop. Much as I love you, I couldn't think of leaving father like that. And I know he'd never let you support him, even if we did get married. He'd starve first. She would have said more, but her thoughts were interrupted by a peculiar sound. It seemed all around them. At first it was in front, then on one side of the car, then underneath. A peculiar gurgling, followed by a cough or two and a sigh. But it was no human sound. Mvstified as they might be, both agreed on that. It must be the motor, decided Philip. just then the noise stopped. So did the motor. And so did the car. As it rolled to a halt, Phil jumped out and lifted the hood. Very good advice. Whenever anything goes wrong with your car, be sure to lift the hood, and nine times out of ten funless you're the mechanic at the town garagej you'll say, Hanged if I know. YVhich was just the formula Philip Beeche used. Hanged if I know. An almost new car, but right away it has to get temperamental. Sort of like your father, Sylvia. t Phil, I wish you wouldn't say things like that about my father. But, she added, he doesn't like you and neither does the car, so maybe you're right. XN7ell, let's see, the young fellow muttered. Nothing wrong here-humm -seems all right. Yeppy, everything okay here. Gosh darn you. He thumped the car. What's your secret, anyhow? After so saying he started a thorough examination, in which Sylvia tried to help, giving as much aid as a tooth-pick pinch-hitting for a baseball bat. So busily were the two engaged, that they neither saw nor heard an approach- ing car. Not until it was exactly opposite Beeche's machine did either look up. Then, and only then, did Sylvia peer around one corner of the roadster to see who the newcomer was. She would have fallen backwards except for Phil's support, as he had been standing just behind her. At this moment tl1e other car stopped, and Ebenezer Stiles looked up to see what was the matter. Great was his astonishment, then, when he saw his daughter in the arms of this man. Since his wife had died Eb was very jealous of anyone who made any suspicious advances toward his daughter. Up to now he had suspected nothing, however. This sudden revelation of what had been going on behind his back, came as a jolt. But what made it hurt so was the fact that his daughter had chosen the very man who had ruined her father's business-or at least, so he thought. This was too much for him. Something snapped within. Anger and despair fought for control of his face. Anger won. He descended and approached the couple threateningly. 19

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THE RFFLECTOR , -. l- ruined, and no prospects for the future? Shore now, don't you worry. You'll come through all right. Won't he, Doc? said Slim, turning his head to the waiter at this last. Why sure, Eben. Everything's going to be just fine, was the reply. Eb was silent, except for ordering his 1neal, which was none too big. Already owe Doc eleven-forty, was Ebenezer's explanation. And next week's rent week. That ole store! And that manager! He fairly sobbed those last words. At that particular point in walked-none other than the new chain store manager. Speak of the Devil, and there he is, commented Slim under his breath. Eb jumped off the stool and started for the door. Slim grabbed him. Hey! You ain't leavin', are yuh? 'Course, 'course, I'm goin'-- Where to? Corsica? sallied Phil, the manager. Lissen here, young feller, none o' your lip. You've made me enough trouble already. With that he hurst out the door and made for his store. All afternoon Eben brooded over his misfortunes, so that when evening came he was glad to put his CLOSED FOR THE NIGHT sign in the win- dow and start for home. 1 II At home Sylvia Stiles was left to herself most of the time. This she did not mind, for she had become used to it during the five years after her mother's death, and, at twenty-three, she was capable of caring for herself. In the morning she did the housework, the afternoon was hers. Recently she had been having a visitor. A man visitor. At first he came only occasionally, but now had grown to be as regular as clockwork. His name was Philip Beeche. His occupation-manager of the Slreamline Groceries Sales in Colinsville. Phil worked on a morning shift, and therefore he con- veniently had his P. M.'s free, too. Sometimes he just came and visited. At other times he took Sylvia for a ride. Of all this her father knew nothing. On this particular afternoon: Honk, honk! O Sylvia! Coming, Phil. A slim Hgure ran from house to car. What'll it be this afternoon? A ride, I think. The door slammed, the motor whined, and a cloud of dust curled as the powerful car moved off and quickly gathered momentum. They talked on that ride. Talked a lot. About the scenery, about people, and in particular about themselves. They talked of love-and even of mar- riage. It was Phil who opened up this topic. Sylvia, YesP Why don't you and I get married? Out of a clear sky, mind you. Wha-wha-why, Phil, you're joking! No, I mean every word I say. I love you and you-- he paused, you do love me, don't you? 18

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THE REFLEC TOR 1 i , So, young man, you're not satisfied with breakin' up my business, now you're stealin' my daughter and breakin' my heart! But, Mr. St-- He got no further. Don't 'Mr. Stiles' me. I've heard enough from you, Sylvia. Get in the car. Up to now Sylvia had quietly looked on. But, father, he loves me, she cried. You don't suppose I'm blind, do you? I-I love him, too! What! Yes, we were talking of getting married, Mr. Stiles, said Phil. Sylvia, get in the carl Did you hear me? She obeyed, climbing in the back. Eben got in and started the car going. Where are we going, father? We're goin' home! There was an ominous look in his eyes, and his jaw was set. For the minute Phil was taken aback at what had just occurred, but not for long. Quickly he locked his car. ' Wherever that girl goes, I go too, he said to himself. No telling what the old man's likely to do now. The rattle of fenders and other loose parts, and the roar of the motor drowned out all sounds of Phil's pursuit on foot. Quickly he caught up with the aged machine, for Stile's car never could go very fast. Then with a leap Phil landed on the spare hung on the rear. He climbed over the back and tumbled on the floor beside the startled Sylvia. Shh, don't let him know I'm here. I'll try to help you out of this mess. The girl was too upset to say anything. just then, anyway. So old Ebenezer drove on, unmindful of his extra passenger. Soon he came to a fork in the road. To the left was the dangerous road leading directly home. Eb approached the fork without slackening speed- what speed there was. He took the left fork. At that time both the girl and Phil were crouching on the floorboards. She was helping him get in a comfortable position where he wouldn't be seen. She did not see which way they had gone. Suddenly the car gave a lurch, which sent Sylvia against the left door, and threw it open. She would have rolled out had not Phil grabbed her. ' That was close! she breathed. Then she got the impression that the vehicle was going downgrade. She sat up and looked out. Nine hundred feet ahead the Devil's Slide was charging directly at. her! Father! Father! she screamed, the brakes, the brakes-put on the br-- She got no farther but sank to the floor. The awful realization dawned upon her that the machine was now a mad runaway, hell-bent for destruction! It gathered speed every fleeting moment. The telephone poles seemed like teeth in a comb. The two in the back bounced around, trying to catch hold of something, but every time something came within reach, the car swerved and knocked them away. 20