Eastern High School - Echo Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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A Dectstiue Moment BEATRICE WITTEKINDT '29 ff 0 LOSE and lose fairly is better than to have won and won falsely. Bravest is the man who always is honestf, Thus Dr. Walsh ended his talk to Vernon High School. It had been an impressive talk which had claimed everyone's attention. In the audience a young girl of seventeen years had listened intently. She was Kathryn Wells, the captain of the school's basketball team. Queer thing, she thought, a person who is always honest, to be the bravest. I wonder if he includes white lies in that, too. That night at eight o'clock the game for the championship was to be played between Vernon and Palen high school. A deep undercurrent of excitement had prevailed in Vernon High all day. Would their team carry off the honors as in former games? Palen High was reputed to have one of the best teams in the city so it was understood that there was going to be a strong battle on each side for the championship. The Vernon High team was gathered in a small ante-room. Kathryn, their captain, was flushed with excitement. To-night the final game! Would it be victory or defeat? No! Not defeat! That surely could not be the climax of their trium- phant basketball season. The whistle blew, sum- moning the two teams to the floor. Girls,,' said Kathryn hurriedly, don,t forget the signals, and remember-we want to bring victory to Vernon High. Fight! Fight to the finish. As the players appeared on the floor cheer after cheer rose from the throng on Vernon's side. Suddenly it quieted a bit and then the cheer lead- ers led the cheer for their alma mater: V-E-R-N-O-N-V-E-R-N-O-N ! Vernon High-Vernon High! Cheer after cheer and yell after yell rang out from both sides, when suddenly the whistle blew. The gym became still. The girls took their po- sitions on the floor. The game had begun! A few minutes of passing took place. Sud- denly Palen made the basket. What a cheer arose from Palen's ranks! Then silence again! All eyes were fixed on the players. Kathryn had the ball! She passed it to a forward, who fum- bled. Palen grabbed the ball. Again passing took place, when a foul on Palen's side gave Ver- non a free shot. One of Vernon's forwards shot for the basket. She made it! The score was 2-1. The whistle again! The first quarter was up! Palen was leading! Page I3 Both sides gave their yells lustily, each sure of the other's defeat. The time was up. The game again was on. There! The right guard on Ver- non's team had the ball. She passed it to a forward who, attempting to pass it to Kathryn, who played center, slipped. A fumble was the result! Palen had the ball! Vernonis defense, fortunately, was strong and the girl who had the ball and was passing, was made to pivot and then was closed in on. Ex- cited playing took place. Vernon made a bas- ket. At the end of the second quarter the score was 6-2 in favor of Vernon. Kathryn was breathing hard when she sat down. Her guard was a tall, fast girl who guarded her entirely too well, Kathryn thought. Gee, they sure can play, remarked Kathryn. They're livingi up to their rep, all right. The intermission was soon up and again the players took their places. The last half! The next quarter, full of exciting plays, left the score 10-6 in favor of Palen. Girls, said Kathryn, we've got to do some- thing. We're sure not going to be defeated in our last game. Please, please play your hardest andv-there went the whistle. Don,t forget-Vernon's rep's at stake. With renewed hope the team went into the tussle. Lady Luck again favored them and soon the score was 12-ll for Vernon, and only three more min- utes to play. Suddenly the ball came towards Kathryn. She and her guard both ran for it, and both Went down claiming the ball. The referee blew her whistle and declared a foul on Kathryn's guard, giving Vernon a free shot. But Kathryn knew that her guard was not to blame. She was the one who had fouled. Should she keep still? Suddenly Dr. Walsh's words, To lose and lose fairly is better than to have won and won falsely flashed thru her mind. Should she own her error? Plague my conscience, she thought. Then all at once she heard herself saying, Referee, she didn't foul, I did. The referee took the ball and gave it to Palen's forward. She measured the distance with her eye, she took careful aim. The crowd waited breathlessly. The ball flew toward the basket-and went in. The whistle blew. The game was over-with the score 12-12. , Tears smarted in Kathryn's eyes while she

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THE EASTERN ECHO came a feeling of approaching trouble, an unac- countable premonition of evil. But even a trou- bled soul cannot resist the lure of whispering trees. murmuring breeze and sweet-scented flowers for long, and Ali was soon asleep. How long he slept, he never knew. He was only aware of some horrible nightmare which invaded his dreams, rendering him powerless to any action or outcry. For in his mind there grew a threatening shadow, which resolved itself into the figure of some huge and repulsive beast, with immense wings as black as a bird of prey. In its head there shone, not the customary two eyes, but one glittering red orb which scintillated fire- like flashes. Most curious of all, the beast walked upright with the bearing of a man. Then as he visioned the beast, it seemed to Ali that the eye dimmed, glowing now strong, and now weak, but steadily fading. And as it faded there came to Ali the feeling that he was losing something dear and close to him. With this feeling came a growing strength and return to consciousness. The next instant Ali found himself on his feet, staring wildly about the familiar garden. Even as he looked there fell a shadow across the face of the lagoon, and, looking up, Ali beheld the vulture, circling now but a stonels throw above his head. Without volition Ali felt himself mov- ing toward the vault. Mounting to the entrance, he stepped over the threshold. There, within the light of the swinging lantern. crouched the stranger. It did not occur to Ali to ask how he came there when the grounds were supposedly closedg there was only the realization that the reason was one of deep concern to him. The man's back was, fortunately, turned toward Ali, who began stealthily to approach the un- suspecting figure. As he came nearer, Ali real- ized that his troubled spirit had found its an- swer, for the man was working at the mounting of the Jamshid jewel! Hot, resentful rage filled the heart of Ali. That a mere white mortal should attempt to steal the sacred jewel was incredible to him. By a strong effort of will, he refrained from uttering the cry that sounded in his throat, intending to take the thief unaware. But the invader must have sensed trouble, for he turned at that instant, star- ing into the eyes of Ali with terror written on his face. With a sudden movement, a gun ap- peared in his hand and a blinding flash and a roar followed. Ali felt the sting of a bullet as it nicked his arm. The following action was sudden and furious. Forward Ali leaped, grasping the gun as it flashed again, this time harmlessly. The stranger dis- played mighty strength, but Alils skill proved su- perior as he threw his opponent crashingly to the floor, where the man lay limp and senseless. The arrival of several other guards attracted by the shots relieved Ali, who stood beside the tombs and triumphantly watched the unresisting thief led forth, to be dealt with suddenly and surely. And then what of Ali? It must suffice to say that he had indeed proved himself worthy of the hand of the lovely maid from whom rank, in the ordinary course of events, would have forever sep- arated him. at ak wk Pk 4- ak And so there was little wonder why Ali, gazing into the lily pond, was but dimly conscious of the Huffy white clouds mirrored in its shimmery surface, Floating against the blue of the sky, for his eyes were fixed upon the image of the beau- tiful temple which was reflected before him in the quiet pool and his thoughts were intent upon the great happiness which had come to him. lu. , five .- fi? 7 amz ,,.,. MAH ,355 I X. 3 b-'ull 5 Q 7 'T-'16, 4 '11-3 m. . ,Page 12

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THE EASTERN ECHO dressed. But for her Vernon would have won. Miss Oliver's room. She was not crying now. Now they wouldn't win the championship. Still- Oh no! She was happy because Miss Oliver had Kathie, Miss Oliver wants to see you when told her that she had proved her worth to Ver- you're dressed, a sympathetic voice announced. non. She had helped Vernon to lose fairly. Yes, Fifteen minutes later Kathryn came out of that was better than to have won falsely. I I wandered on a lonely road And inet a gypsy lad In ragged blouse and scarlet sash And yellow jerkin clad. II And so I asked, Don't you get Of wandering on the down, And don't you ever find yourself A-longing for the town? III He sniiled at nie, a dusky sinile, And shook his curly head, No, no, we sons of Roinany To this were born and bred. --o-o-o-- A Romany Lad Lois ANKEWITZ '30 tired V IV We love the wind against our cheeks, The rain upon our hair, VV e love the suininer starlit sky, The biting winter air. V We love each tree, each blade of grass, Each singing brook that gleanis And, bubbling over hidden rocks, Reflects the sun's bright beams. VI We love the hills in surnrner green, Each nook and fragrant dell, And so, within a town, we'd be Within a prison cell. He smiled at nie, a dusky sinile, And huinined a pagan lay, And while I watched hiin wistfully, He trudged upon his way. Page I 4