Eastern High School - Echo Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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6 THE EASTERN ECHO down. Then she realized that she was tired, after all. Bomby stretched out on the ground beside her and fell asleep. She felt drowsy herself so she thought she, too, would take a little nap, then they would go home for, even if they hadn't found adventure, they had had a good time. She lay down on a mossy ledge of rock and before five minutes she slept. Meanwhile, night came from its Eastern cave and took the place of day and the woods were as black as if they had never known the warm rays of the sun. II Marny, half waking, rolled over on her mos- sy bed and her arm touched a sharp rock, near- by. She awoke as the pain stabbed her arm. OW, she cried, then O-o-o-o it's dark! Turn on the light somebody! But as she said it she felt something cold and wet touch her face. Oh, she gasped. Bomby barked, for it had been his nose IVIarny had felt on her face. She realized now where she was. Silly, she said to herself, now it's dark and you'Il never find your way back home. I wish I had never taken that foolish nap. Come here, Bombyln and when she felt Bomby's fur, well, come on we'll start anyway-we can't get lost much more than we are, so taking hold of Bomby's collar she stumbled along. When they had walked what seemed to Mar- ny about fifteen miles, really only two, they came to a steep hill. When we reach the top of this hill, Bomby, I'm going to rest. I'm about all in. This is wonderful adventure, nearly killing yourself falling over tree stumps and roots. I'm bruised all over, I'll bet. It doesn't hurt you walking in the dark because you're used to it, but good- ness-me! Well, here we are at the top. What's that-looks like a fire! and it was. I do believe it's a camp, exclaimed Mai-ny excitedly, maybe some of the campers can tell us the Way home. So without thinking of any danger Nlarny approached the camp with Bomby. III The gypsy camp had just settled for the night. Old Shangham Rue, the commander and leader of the gypsies, had ordered the camp for the night to be made in this spot. All the men were busy ,unpacking while the women were cooking the evening meal. There were fifteen families in Old Shangham Rue's gypsy band. There were about twenty-five able- bodied men, including, of course the younger boys. They were what might be called a rich tribe, having been successful. in all their ran- som deals, and having stolen quite a few val- uable things. There was always plenty of food and they seldom had any serious troublef This gypsy band, an unusually clean band of wan- derers, by the way, was content, but because they were content does not say that they would not take more, for what person, even though he has nearly all, would not Want he all? Such was Old Shangham Rue's gypsy band Whose fire lVIarny had seen. IV As Marny approached the camp fire she smelled a very pleasant odor-meat frying- it seemed to make her feel as if she had not eaten for ages. She walked boldly up to the edge of the camp fire. Good evening, she said to an old woman who sat by the side of the fire, can you tell me the way to the Livingston Estate? I'Iuh? replied the woman, looking up from the pot she was holding over the fire. HI say, can you tell me the way to the Liv- ingston Estate? You see, Bornby-my dog- and I are lost and we'd like to know the way home. Never heard of such a place, responded the woman and looked down again at her work. IVIarny walked to the other side of the fire where there were three women likewise cook- ing. After repeatedly stating her question and repeatedly receiving vacant stares as an an- swers, IVIarny became impatient. Wait a minute, one woman interposed, I'll get Old Shangham Rue. She arose and walked swiftly back to one of the wagons. IVIarny hadn't any idea who Old Shangham Rue was, but she would hail anyone with joy who knew the road home. She scrutinized the camp and she realized what sort of a camp it was. She was just about to run away when the woman came back with an old man. You wish to know the way to the Living- ston Estate? Old Shangham Rue asked. - Yes, do you know? said IVIarny eagerly. Oh, yes, the man replied, 'ibut not at nightg that is I don't know the road at night and I doubt if I could tell you how to go, he concluded, but if you will remain with us to- night I will show you the way home in the morning. We are traveling that way. Oh-er-err I couldn't stay for the night, said IVIarny clutching Bomby's collar tighter and backing away, I er-a I think I had better go now. But what is your hurry, replied Old Rue, you could have a good meal and a nice rest, then in the morning as we go your way we

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THE EASTERN ECHO 5 High Adventure Audrey Noonan '24 HE. spacious home of Mr. Reginald Livingston was situated on the out- skirts of one of the most exclusive suburbs of New York. A brilliant October sun fell upon the stately, colonial veranda, and into the casement win- dows of the luxuriant apartment occupied by Marny, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Liv- ingstone. lVlarny had everything in life that any girl could wish for, but she lacked a contented spirit-a great need. Her father was one of the richest stock bro- kers on Wall Street. Marny and Glynn were his only children, consequently their slightest wishes were, unfortunately, readily granted. They were now at their country home and Marny had nothing to do but ride horseback, swim, play tennis, play golf, drink tea, drive to the country club in her racer, entertain or be entertained. To a girl in moderate circum- stances this would be a feast of enjoyment, but when she has these things again and again, day in and day out as Marny had, they would lose their charm. Marny was seventeen. She had just grad- uated from Mrs. Byer's School for Girls, and sh: was still in the younger set of New York so- ciety. Marny was tall and slim with the grace of a willow wand. Her curly brown hair was bobbed in a boyish fashion, but her dreamy eyes, with the long, black lashes sweeping over them, and her full, red lips gave her a capti- vating expression. But Marny was bored. She was tired to death of the life she was leading. She wanted some'- thing exciting to happen. She lay languidly on a couch beneath the east casement of her beau- tiful room. 'Tm not going to stay another minute in this tiresome old place, l'm nearly dead and this book is unpardonably sil-ly. --Bangl the book went to the floor. Marny was not always gentle. She jumped up and ran upstairs to her room and after slamming the door, Hung herself on the bed. There isn't a thing to do-nothing, she sobbedg it's a mean trick for everybody to leave me home by myself, -but it really was her own fault for the family had gone to the country club and of course had asked her to go. She had preferred to read a promising novel. l l F fxfvfiffj A sudden idea struck her-yes-she would do it. She jumped up from the bed, ran to the closet and pulled down some clothes. ln about fifteen minutes she was dressed. She had on a pongee blouse with a red tie at the open neck, a pair of tan, tweed knickers, woolen hose and sport shoes. She flung her bobbed hair back and put on a soft, felt hat. Catching up her jacket, she ran out of the house. She was just going down the steps when Glynn, her brother, stopped his car in front of the house. He jumped out and as he passed her he asked, VVhere are you going, Sis? Never you mind, she Hung back and pro- ceeded down the steps. Glynn shrugged his shoulders and went into the house. As Marny went around the house and past the garage, her Belgium hound, Bomby, came bounding after her. Do you want to go on an adventure, Bom- by? she asked. The dog wagged his tail and jumped up on her, as if to give her eager as- sent. Come along doggie, dear, but you must be good, she said, patting his silky head. They walked on down the road to the woods, Bomby marched sedately by lVlarny's side. When they reached the woods Marny sat down on a large boulder, and drawing Bomby to her proceeded to tell him of her plans. Now listen, Bomby, l'm tired of this life and you're tired of it, so we're going out to look for adventure together, understand? The dog assented with a wag of his tail. We're going to have some fun for one day, at least, she de- clared. Come on Bomby, old top, maybe we can find a pleasant surprise. For two hours they walked on the road through the woods. Marny enjoyed just walk- ing along whistling and throwing sticks for Bomby to bring back. This soon grew tire- some, however, accordingly they left the road and wandered into the woods. It was much more fun walking there, lVlarny thought. Birds flitted here and there, wild flowers grew all around and sometimes a rabbit or some other little wood creature would skim past. On and on they trudged. Marny didn't feel a bit tired. It was summer, she was young and carefree, altogether it was good to be alive. It grew darker in the woods but Marny didn't even no- tice it, she was too eager watching the busy life around her. At last she came to a pile of stones and sat

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THE EASTERN ECHO 7 could drop you off home. lsn't that better than going without food and sleeping on the damp ground then still. be lost in the morning? Marny realized that the former plan was bet- ter. She agreed to stay. She and Bomby both ate heartily and then were shown to their beds inside one of the wagons. Marny did not bother to undress but lay down and was soon asleep with Bomby keeping watch. V Marny was awakened by a jolt which nearly knocked her out of bed. She got up and looked out the window at the back of the wagon and saw other wagons, and men on horseback. All were moving along the road, her wagon in- cluded. We must be on the way home, thought Marny. She opened the door and beckoned to the nearest man, who happened to be the same one whom she had talked to the preceding night, Old Shangham Rue. . Are we on the road to the Livingston Es- tate? she asked when he had come up to the wagon. Yes, replied the man, only a few more miles, now. Would you like some breakfast? I'll send it to you in a minute, and he rode ahead of the. caravan. Marny sat down on the steps of the wagon and watched the road slip away beneath her. She was in th-e midst of thinking how the folks at home would feel about her night outing when a youth on horseback rode up. He was carry- ing her breakfast. He handed herthe tray, say- ing: Old Rue says you are to eat all. l will ride beside you until you have finished, to take the tray back to the kitchen cart. Marny tried to eat but found she wasn't very hungry. She looked up, once or twice, when the youth wasn't looking and studied him care- fully. He was handsomely built, his square shoul- ders thrown back. He had a strong chin, a straight nose, eyes that were like shining black pools and black, glossy hair which fairly shone. He had on khaki pants with leggings, a gray flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up ex- posing his almost brown skin. You are to eat all of that, for we have many miles to travel before dinner and you will be hungry. What! cried Marny, many milesibut the Livingston Estate is not-cannot be many miles from here. Livingston Estate? asked the fellgw. Who said anything about Livingston Estate? l did, she responded haughtily, that's where l'm going. He laughed outright at her commanding air. Marny was thoroughly angry now and she flashed him a scornful look which he must have felt, for he straightened up an-d explained the joke to her. 'ils that where they told you you were go- ing? he asked, trying to hide a smile. She explained her experience to him, then he continued. ' Oh, but you were foolish to think they would take you home. They know you are of a wealthy family and they are holding you for ransom. Didn't you think of that? No, I never knew there were such mean people in the world-of course l have read about them in books but never have l met any. Oh why was l so foolish! She wanted to cry but she wasn't going to give this boy a chance to laugh at her again. She frankly told him that she would wait her chance to run away and went into the wagon and shut the door. VI All morning Marny sat in the wagon as it rolled roughly over the road. At times she would look out of the back, but on seeing the same youth on horseback nearby, she would turn around and sulk again. ' She tried to think of some way to let her parents know of her whereabouts or of some plan to escape, but no sensible plan came to her. Once she thought of tying a note around Bomby's neck and sending him home, but he wouldn't know the way home. And besides she had not writing material. She had to give up that plan. She decided that surely when her parents missed her they would send out search- ing partiesi. Accordingly she would make the best of her plight. At noon the troup came to a halt. There was a clatter and chatter and a great excitement over the preparing of the noon meal. Marny thought she would go out and get a little exer- cise. She opened the door and went out. She found the same youth standing by the door. You wish something? he asked. l am going to walk, was her haughty reply. May l not accompany you on your walk? he requested, you may get lost in these woods. . I don't get lost, l'm not a baby. I shall take my walk alone. Pardon, but were you not lost last night? he asked, his eyes twinkling. He evidently liked to tease. No, l was not lost last night. l just strayed