Eleanor McMain High School - Echoes Yearbook (New Orleans, LA)

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The Little Hussy Betty Terroy, '42 AMES O'BRIEN, sergeant in the Medical Corps, stood and glared at the retreating figure of a Red Cross nurse, and, as she disappeared into a ward, he addressed the air bitingly in language that would have amazed Colonel Andersen-and the Colonel had been in the army twenty years and was an old hand at using biting language himself. Every hair on O'Brien's head seemed charged with rage and was standing on end, -even his mustache, which was two weeks' old and beginning to look vaguely like a worn-out tooth brush, bristled indignantly. Well, here it was the eighth month he'd known this-this hussy! Eight months and he hadn't gotten any- where with her! Him! James O'Brien! What did Casanova have he didn't have? Nothing! Nothing at all! Yet this little hussy wouldn't-- Ohl Hang! O'Brien was walking slowly down the hall and unconsciously he spoke in a high squeaky voice and wiggled his hips, No, I'm so sorry, but I already have a date for the Military Ball. l'm going with Colonel Ander- sen! A doctor and three nurses watched with amusement and finally burst into laughter as O'Brien uttered an emphatic, Ugh! , in his own voice. He strode back to the barracks viciously kicking the stones in the path till he heard an enraged roar and looked up to see the Colonel, hopping about on one foot, holding his right ankle in his left hand and giving sizzled evidence of his twenty O'Brien saluted years in the army. hastily and hurried on. Well, that him with the definitely queered Colonel, but shoot the colonel, he never had liked the old buzzard and he was going to get even with that uppity Carrie Wellington if it killed him. That evening at eight he entered the ballroom and was somewhat awed when he saw Carrie dance with Colonel Andersen and then Private Holome, then Corporal Tracy and then Colonel Andersen cut in. Really she should be ashamed flirting with all those men. He cut in. Hello, Carrie. E-C-H-0-E-S Good evening, Sergeant O'Brien. Gosh! She was icy, but he'd fix that. He hadn't seen a woman yet who wouldn't melt when he kissed her. Come on out on the terrace, Carrie. Oh! But-well, all right ser- geantf' He seated himself beside her in the moonlight and started in. He told her all about her beautiful red hair but all she said was that she knew it by this time, Colonel Ander- Cut by Mary Mac uowan O'Brien was walking slowly down the hall Home Connie Fleming Home is a place which is jolly and gay, A place to live in day hy day. It is a haven of comfort and rest The dweller, of course, will think it the best. Love and happiness will linger and slay Till the house is weatherbealen and gray. Many people will visit and say, Pd love to come here and live if I may. sen, Private Holome and Corporal Tracy had all volunteered that in- formation. He tried her eyes and hands and was just going to kiss her when Colonel Andersen came out and asked for his dance. He looked daggers at O'Brien and then limped off with Carrie. O'Brien couldn't figure it out. He tried so hard and still she didn't even look interested, and she'd left him to dance with a man old enough to be her father! Suddenly he felt sick, I must have heart trouble, hc decided. He couldn't sleep that night. He counted the legs he had amputated, the shrapnel wounds he had treated, finally the doors of the wards. At last he dozed. Next morning he put on his white coat and rubber gloves and went in- to the operating room. There was that Carrie Wellington handing him his instruments. Gosh! She was cute! But she mustn't have a heart or surely he, James O'Brien, would have found it! At that moment the air raid siren shrilled but work went on in the operating room. The bombs screamed all about the hospital, anti-aircraft barked and the bombing planes darted across the sky like mosquitos, -the kind you'd like to swat but can't. Suddenly the lights went out as a huge explosion shook the build- ing, throwing the doctors and nurses to the floor. After a moment's darkness, light flooded the room. There on the floor lay James O'Brien, Romeo of the 123rd Medical Corp, blood well- ing swiftly from a cut on his head. Carrie's eyes widened. 0h! she screamed, Oh! Jimmy! Kneeling beside him, she stroked his hair and cried until she raised a perfect fog. She was so busy being feminine she didn't hear him mut- ter, She loves me not, she loves me -I hope. All that she knew was that when she returned with some bandages, he had vanished. That night she was on late duty. At eleven she was walking to the nurses' quarters when a six-foot figure loomed up, grabbed her and roared into her ear, Kiss me, you little hussy, kiss me! What else could she do? Twenty-seem

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had seen what an attractive young person the voice belonged to. Pardon me , he said politely, but aren't you-, I mean, do you-. Maureen glanced withering- ly at him and interrupted in her coldest toneg Pardon me, but I am not in the habit of speaking to strangers. Wait a minute, we aren't stran- gers, that is, if you-. And having finished her soda, Maureen rose quickly, glanced at her wrist watch, then turned to the young man. Pm sorry, but I have never laid eyes on you in my life , and, with that, she spun on her heel and marched out. As she left, the brown-haired young man got to his feet, mum- bling, Say, I'm sorry, but- , all to no avail for the girl was already swallowed up in the crowd outside. Oh, well, he argued as he went back to finish his soda, I could have sworn she was kin to O'Reillyg-- those eyes, why they're exactly like his . . . I7 ' 4 4 if It was not until Paula and she were on their way home that she thought again -of the incident. It was about five-thirty when Maureen stepped from the bus to walk the remaining half block home. She had gone only a few steps when she noticed a strange coupe on the drive. Now, who could that be? she thought as she closed the garden gate and came up the walk to the porch. As she entered the hall, her father was saying, There she is now. Oh, Maureen come into the living roomg there's someone I want you to meet. The girl went in, knowing that her Dad's friends were usually middle- aged lawyers who could talk about the most uninteresting things. Mau- reen scarcely heard her father make the introductions, for, after one look at the taller of the two men, she collapsed into a chair, breathless with laughter. The strange, yet familiar young man gazed smilingly down into Mau- reen's eyes, his own sparking with amazement. As she came back to earth again, she heard her father say: You see, dear, Mr. Keith Hud- son has been transferred to our town, I hope you will take care of young Hudson and see that he meets your friends and has a good time. And Keith, I hope you and my daugh- ter will get along-You know, with a wink at Maureen, great grand- mother O'Reilly had quite a temper and I don't believe this generation has outgrown it yet. Almost four minutes later Mau- reen and Keith were seen crossing the fresh green lawn, hand in hand. Where do you two think you're headed for? asked Maureen's Dad from the doorway. As they approached the coupe, Keith answered, Just to get a soda, sir , and then, turning to Maureen with a twinkle in his eye, he grinned, And a chocolate one at that! Blind Date Robin Ahrens, C'42D MOONLIGHT, deep, almost haunt- ing in its beautiful silence, shone through the balcony windows, pat- terning shadows on the floor about two silhouetted figures, bathing them in celestial radiance. Hair shining with splendor, eyes with dew, one raised a starry face, so apart of the -mystery about her, whispering, I long to kill myself for you, to sacri- fice myself, to pour myself out at your feet! Passionately, she cried, I didn't want to love you like this. I felt afraid. But my heart was like a tight little bud of a flower at the first touch of the hot sun. Its petals relaxed and fell apart. Now they are open, Paolo, and dropping, and you may crush me, if you like. You may mush mel May crush me! the other prompt- ed laughingly. Slew slay, plush me-cray mush me-aw . . . ! Her hair shining no longer, but unartistically pinned up with disillusioning hair curlers, she wailed, Oh, Janie, what am I going to do? It's hopeless! I'll never make Twenl y-six the class play. I can't learn these lines! And I've just got to make a good impression! Don't make so much noise or you'll wake everyone, Jane caution- ed patiently. Now, here's your cue: 'Tell me'. I'.m certainly glad I don't want a part. It's too much work! You don't have to be in it to shine, Jane, Pat moaned disconso- lantly. You'll probably be voted the best all around and the prettiest in the class, but I won't get anything if I'm not in the play. I want every- one to know I'm graduating. I want the girls ten years from now to say, 'Oh, yes. I remember her. She graduated with me, starred in our class play. But, Pat, you have the prettiest eyes in the class. I've heard many people say . . . Who for instance? she demand- ed. Well, I don't know. People . . . You've heard no such thing, Jane Martin, and you'll never hear of it either, because . . . She broke off. Oh, Janie, what's the use of having beautiful eyes when nobody can see them through these horrid old thick glasses, she sobbed. That's why no- body wants to take me to the prom. No boy likes a girl with four eyes. Oh, I wish we weren't even having one! You stop that! Jane cried. Of course, you're glad we're having it. Besides, isn't my cousin going to take you? You'll have him in your clutches the minute he sees you. It's no use, Janie. You can't lead a boy into something like that with- out warning him, and as soon as you tell him I wear glasses, he'll get the impression I'm an old maidish prim, and he'll wiggle out of taking me, Pat said hopelessly. And I do look like an old maid, too. If he's as good looking as you say he is, he wouldn't even bother . . . Oh, he's good looking all right, Jane said thoughtfully, if he hasn't changed in a year. He'll be glad to take you, because he doesn't know anyone else down here. And then, Pat, why wear your glasses at all? But-but I can't see without them, Pat said bewilderedly. You can see up close, and that's fContinued on page 341 E-C-H-O-E-S

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Memories Batya Mallet, '41 NOT long ago this house on Pine Street was dreary and sad look- ing. The glass in almost every win- down was broken and the shutters slammed back and forth on windy nights. What used to bc a garden was now nothing but a patch of weeds. A few weeks ago, a new family moved in. The house thought to it- self, How nice it will be to be clean and orderly again, and be surround- ed by a beautiful garden. But best of all was the thought of having children's laughter within its walls again. One night after everyone was asleep, the house began to reminisce about the wonderful old colonial days when she was in her glory with parties, barbecues, and was always filled with beautiful ladies and hand- some gentlemen. How could she for- get the night when Miss Nancy said goodbye to Mr. Robert? They were walking in a garden that was lovely with roses and evergreens but they did not see ,a thing but each other. Suddenly Robert broke the silence. Oh, Nancy, how can I leave you for four long years? You must, darling, for your sake and mine. I would rather lose everything that is worthwhile to me than go. Studying in Europe means nothing to me now, for, you see, you won't be with me. Nancy sighed and spoke softly. Four years won't seem very long be- cause we are so young and we already have so many pleasant memories. When we are lonely or down-hearted, we can remember the long summer days, that drive through the country yesterday and so many other things dear to us. How sweet and dear you are! I never realized there was such a per- son-always unselfish, always loyal. Before we go back into the house say, I love you, Robert. Nancy looked at him with all her love in her eyes and tenderly said, I love you, Robert. A few days later, Robert was ready to leave for Europe with four years of study ahead of him. Twent y-vig hi Nancy did not go with him to the ship but they parted in the familiar surroundings of the garden. The next dawn was the time for the sailing. With a heavy heart Robert boarded the ship, The Em- press. Just before the signal to leave was given, Robert was tempted to turn back, but he controlled him- self, for he knew he was doing the riht thing, they were both so young. The following days were hard ones for Robert. Shortly after leaving port, a blinding storm came up, toss- ing the vessel around like a leaf on the water. On the second night out, the storm had reached the peak of Cut by Robin Ahrens They were walking in cz. gardcw that was lovlely- its fury. Because of this rough voyage, the ship sprang two large leaks. Everything possible was done to keep her afloat, but nothing seemed to help. Despair was in everyone's heart. The boat was slowly sinking. Robert tried to help everyone as much as he could. Luckily, there were not many women or children aboard. When these were all ac- counted for, Robert and a few other men jumped overboard and caught hold of some timber which had de- tached itself from the boat. It was a wonder that they could hold on. The storm was raging-sending forth lightning, thunder, and tor- rents of rain. The next dawn everything was calm and quiet, but nothing could be seen of The Empress, or her pass- engers. Meanwhile, at home Nancy was do- ing the same things she had always done, but now there seemed to be something missing. Everywhere she looked she saw Robert's face, his dark hair, and smiling eyes. It happened that on the same night that The Empress sank, Nancy had a terrible nightmare. She dreamed that Robert was drowning and was calling- Nancy! Nancy! Nancy! With her name ringing in her ears, she awoke, shivering and screaming. Her mother, hearing her screams, rushed into her room. She took Nancy into her arms and gradually she calmed her. Nancy told her mother of her terrible dream. Tenderly her mother said, Don't worry about Robert. He can take care of himself. I have a feeling that he is safe. lVith that thought in her mind, Nancy finally fell asleep. But I wonder how it was that Nancy could feel that Robert was in danger? Maybe there was mental telepathy between these two who loved each other so dearly. A week later when Nancy was sitting on the porch with her mother, a negro came rushing up the long avenue calling, Miss Nancy, Miss Nancy ! When he reached the steps, he blurted out the story he had heard in town while buying some equipment. A tragic story-of a boat sinking and only three known survivors. Nancy gasped, The Empress? Yes, mam, said the darky, cast- ing his eyes to the ground, for he was ashamed to be the one to bring the bad news. Nancy just sat there, too dumb- founded to cry. She couldn't believe that the strong vigorous, laughing boy she loved so dearly could now be dead. Oh! How could this be true? After this heartbreaking news, Nancy changed. Instead of finding her a happy, laughing girl, we find her a quiet, reserved, mature wom- an. She stayed in her room most of the time, coming downstairs only in the early morning for a walk in the garden. QContinued on page 301 E-C-H-O-E-S