Edgerton High School - Edgertonian Yearbook (Edgerton, OH)

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THE SURPRISE. Clarice entered the postoiflce with an air Qf hopelessness. It has been so long since I have received a letter, she complained to Mildred, her com- panion, I'm sure I never would survive the shock if I did get one. The young doctor, who stood in the shadow, looked up from the letter he had been reading, and smiled to himself. He folded the letter carefully and placed it in his pocket as he moved toward the door. Clariee rose on her tiptoes and looked into the mail box. There is one there! she cried, then gasped, for me! In a pretended faint, she staggered backward into the arms of her ehum. A merry laugh from the girl, however, informed her of her mistake, and she hurled around to face-the doctor. O-o-o, she stammered in confusion, I beg your pardon. The pleasure, replied he, was all mine, and passed out of the door. VVell, the nerve-, began Clariee, but the sentence was never finished, probably because she could think of nothing adequate. She almost forgot her letter, but her friend reminded her of it. Then came the fun of reading it. From Emily Davenport, she exclaimed, and an invitation to her house party next week. Gaily the girls hurried off to make preparations. Of course Mildred told her brother of the incident in the postoffice, and he imme- diately informed Clarice's brother, Don. That night at dinner Clarice was much more quiet than usual, for she was a girl full of health and fun. lNhat's bothering you, my dear? her mother asked, but before she could reply her brother spoke: Oh! she's in love, didn't you know? VVith young Doc. Carroll, he went on to explain. XVhy. she even throws herself into his arms in public. Clarice blushed furiously and stared at her plate. Look at her blush, he teased. Aw, come, sis, deny it if you dare. Evidently she didn't dare, for she rose hastily and fled to her room. XVhen she reached that haven, she threw herself upon the bed and began a rigid self-questioning. XVhy didn't she deny it? Wfhy? Xlihy? Dr. Vernon Car- roll had only reeentlv come to Carson. He was young and good looking, and consequently caused quite a flurry among the young girls. Clariee was nine- teen and had been as interested as any. But the doctor was very cool and distant, and so far none of the girls had succeeded in making any impression. Not until this evening had Clariee been aware how deeply interested she had been, but Don's taunts had laid bare the truth. After Clarice had left the table, her father reproved Don, so the next day nothing was said of the affair. She and her mother were busy getting ready for her visit at Riverview with the Davennorts. .Xt the same time. other preparations were being made in Carson. Dr. Carroll, too, had received an invitation. The days Hew by, and Tuesday afternoon saw Clarice ready for her journey. Don accompanied her to the train and saw her comfortably seated, and that she had the necessary supply of fruit and magazines. The train was in motion before she had time to notice her fellow-passenh ger- The bleed left her face an she saw Dr, Carre!! only a few meats distant,

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home and begin teaching, as that was her great aim. This decided answer from Katherine rather startled him, for he was intensely disappointed. His deep love for her had seemingly not been returned-for this reason their friendship was not so strongly' united for a while. But, as Katherine's last year of work was nearing its close, and she was preparing for her part of the recital, she decided to sing the song which had always been Henry's favorite. He was eager to hear her, and he knew,--yes, he felt,-that she was singing it entirely for him, a fact which made it all the more sweet and charming. He hesitated, however, to tell her all he thought, and not until the day of her departure did he whisper to her not to forget him even though the ocean separated them. After bidding her friends farewell, amid pleasure and joy, and expressing her manifold thanks to them for all their kindness, she left Germany. Amidst great rejoicing, just two years and a half after she' left home with her parents, she was within the bounds of her dear old home. Every one was so pleased when Katherine returned, and it was not long until she had a class, and was ready to teach. She was not only successful as a teacher, but often she would cheer those who were in distress or sorrow by her sing- ing. Her services in the church were appreciated to the fullest extent, and after she had spent two years of her life in her chosen work, she had made much progress. just five years from that eventful day when they had left New York harbor, Katherine received a letter from across the ocean, which somehow made her heart beat in excitement before she had time to discover its contents. It read as follows: - I-Iamburg, Germany, May 19, --- My dear Katherine: It has now been two years since I have seen or heard from you. The time has been very long to me, but I thought I would let you reach the height of your ambition, and I would attain mine before confronting you again with the question which you answered me so decidedly. I hope that your love has grown stronger and that you will answer this time in words more consoling. If I say that I will be with you by next Christmas I trust that then you will be ready to take a new scholar in exchange for your class at present. Yours sincerely, HENRY. So it was arranged that I-Ienry's wish should come true, even though it was a year after Henry wrote his first letter that Katherine gave up her class. Although she gave up her teaching, her career as a singer did not end with it. During her entire life she was always ready to do a deed of kindness, and if sorrow befell them, it was always Katherine's voice who brought back the smile of relief. ROSE C. VALET, 'l6. CK

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and then came flooding back again as he caught her eye and smiled. She nodded in return, and a few strides brought him to her side. Are you contemplating fainting again F he asked. Instantly her com- posure returned. NN-'ell, she laughed, I'm not so sure: I've so much ex- citement before me, I probably will. You might tell me about it, he suggested. Then followed a breathless recital of the pleasures she had planned. That's great, he said in reply. I do hope you will be so kind as to let me enjoy some of that fun, for I, too, am going to Riverview. Fm so glad, she breathed. Not nearly so much as I, he said softly, almost inaudibly, as his hand closed over hers. The car door banged as the brakeman entered. Arlington, next stop, he bawled. The doctor and Clarice started guiltily, and began to collect her things, for they were to leave the train at Arlington, where Emily would meet them with ponies and cart. They would then have a drive of tive or six miles to the Davenport country home. As Clarice and Vernon left the train, Stanley Harrison touched Ernily's arm and whispered, just returning from their honeymoong don't they look it ? How happy you two do look, mocked Stanley. XVe are happy, smiled Clariceg just imagine the fun we are going to have. Foiled, sighed Stanley. Sundown found them all gathered on the Davenport veranda. There were Agnes, Polly, Irene, Vera, Clarice and Emily: and Bob, Fritz, Virgil, Dai-mar, Vernon and Stanley. Such fun as they lad planning what they would do on the morrow. They couldn't agree, until Polly called for silence, calmly stating that she wanted to be heard whether anyone else did or not. This is my first visit to Riverview, she announced. I've never been all over the place, and I don't think many of you others have either. S0 I suggest we go O11 an exploring trip. VVhat say you ? She was greeted with a chorus of Fine! XVise head, yours! Leave it to Polly, etc. And so it was decided. The next day dawned clear and cool, with a brisk breeze from the south- east. It's la beautiful day, but I'd wait until tomorrow for that hike if I were you. That wind means rain. was the advice of Mr, Davenport. VVe'll be back long before it rains, Daddy, so don't you worry, con- soled Emily, and trooped away. Soon they began to pair off, each couple taking its own lunch. Clarice and the Doctor wandered far from the rest. XVithout warning, a big drop splashed on Clarice's hand. Two faces were raised wonderingly to the sky. A tossing mass of black clouds met their gaze. They had been too engrossed in their conversation to notice the approach of the storm. Vernon began to look about for shelter, and Clarlce called for the others of the party. The echo of her own voice was the only answer she received, so she did not repeat the shout. The Doctor grasped her arm and pointed tg n wee house n few hundred feet away, almost hidden by the iinderbruah.