Ferndale Union High School - Tomahawk Yearbook (Ferndale, CA)

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Ghz lbnlunteer Maren Skow, 317. YOUNG man lounged upon the wind swept turf of the cliff overlooking Lone Reef. His brows knitted as his glance wan- dered up and down the shore. Far out over the ocean he could see the fog slowly drifting landward and his frown hardened as he looked. A moment later his frown became a welcoming smile. as turning, he saw, climbing down the slope, a girl. She waved her hand and ran the last few steps before she flung herself panting at his side. Her cheeks glowed, little curls, unsettled by her running and by the wind, nodded over her brow. He leaned down and kissed her. VVhen she could get her breath she cried, Oh, jack, I am so glad you were appointed captain of the crewf' So as I, my darlingf, he answered. I wonder how long it will be before we have another wreck and you will be forced to go out ? she asked. I donlt know, but if there's a ship anywhere near here and it gets lost in this fog, I shall have to go out tonight, he answered. There's one whistling now, she said. Hut if you should be called out you will have to get an extra man, for Craig is sick. Srick! VVhy, no one has reported to me. Who told you? His wife told me this morning, answered Elaine. Well, if that's the case I must leave you. There's not another man I can get to Hll his place. Hut something must be done. Are you going now P she asked as he got up. Yes, You had better come, too. The fog is drifting in fast and the wind is increasing every minute. No. I am going to stay here for a while and watch the fog. VVell, then, I will have to say good-by, sweetheart, he replied as, bending, he kissed her. I V The next moment he was Hying down the slope at top speed. Elaine watched him until he was out of sight and then turned her gaze oceanward. The fog had settled in a thick blanket over the sea and the little village be-'ow her. The sun was fast sinking into the fog and its rich red glow on the snowy whiteness fascinated her. She sat there for an hour or so, then rose to her feet and walked down the slope until she too was enveloped in the fog. VVhen she reached the village a fierce gale was blowing, the breakers were dashing against the cliffs and spouting foam and spray high in the air. Elaine was buffeted by the fierce gusts of wind, her hair flew about her face and into her eyes so that at times she was nearly blinded and her dress wrapped about her, almost tripping her. She bought a few things and then went on down the little street past the life saving station, where she stopped to ask Jack Sinclair if he had found his extra man. To her question he answered No, She climbed the little cliff on the other side and then picked her way slowly along the top to the point, where stood the lighthouse and the small cottage of 27

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lingered and wandered among the mountain villages, and always he carried upon his mind his great sorrow. At last, in leaving a village he took the wrong trail and became lost. Gne night a fewr days later, a young girl opened her door to say good night to the great stars above and found an unconscious man lying upon her doorstep, with his suit case upon the ground. She hurriedly summoned the old lady, with whom she lived, and with her aid got the old man into the little hut. That night, as the girl sat by the bedside studying the haggard features of the sick man, he muttered something. She leaned over to catch the words. They came slowly and almost inaudibly. Valise,-oh,-donlt-let them-take itf' Then he was quiet again. The frightened girl crept away to the suit case. She was about to open it when she recalled herself. Would it be honest to do so? She ought to know his trouble so that she could help him if possible, she argued. So she opened it, drew out a small photograph, and with a cry sank upon the floor. When she recovered she exclaimed, He has found me at last, now I am not alone. The man, Mr. Wayne, stirred, and she arose and went to him. He asked for his valise and she gave it to him. He took the little picture and looked at it, and then at her. But she had her arms around his neck, telling him how glad she was because God had let her own dear father find her. When the old man could speak he told her how he had broken up the engagement of his son and a girl of exactly the same name as hers. So when he had finished she under- stood all. The next day the father and true daughter began their journey to the moun- tain home of the other girl. It was a long and dusty ride over the mountain trails. Mr. Wayne grew uneasy and urged the horses along. His uneasiness increased so rapidly as they moved along, that at last he broke the silence. Oh, if he should be gone we could never overtake the poor boy l But I don't think he will be gone. At any rate we will see when we get there, answered his daughter. So they rode on in silence. At last they arrived and met Dick Wayne, who was just leaving. The girl sprang out of the buggy and ran to meet her new found brother. The father hurried after her and Dick's broken-hearted sweetheart came out of the house to joinain the strange scene. Soon all the tangled threads of their lives were unraveled. Dick caught the girl he was now free to love, in his arms. And among the joyful things the now radiant Myrtle kept exclaiming softly was the one sentence, Oh, Dick, everything's just in time. just in time! ' I jilencz Lola McGlaughlin, '16. Twilight was descending upon the plain. The last rays of the southern sun had faded behind the distant hills. The lowing herds had been driven from the pastures, the sturdy farmers plowed no more, and the noisy chattering of blue jays and squirrels was hushed. In the center of the plain sat a dreary little cabin. Inside all was dark and still. Ah, yes, it would seem so to the careless listener, but up in the lonely attic knelt a curly headed little boy, whispering Now I lay me down to sleep. But he too would soon be as silent as all nature around him, leaving the Good Shep- herd to guard his fold alone. 26

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her grandfather, who was the lighthouse keeper. When she reached the door old Captain Hendrix met her. I . Why, Elaine, where have you been? I thought you were lost.', Oh, no. I am all right. But Grandfather, why haven't you lighted the lamp P she asked. HI was just going up when I heard you coming,', he answered. Well,-you go now and I will soon have supper ready. Elaine took off her cloak and hood and then started to prepare supper. The wind grew fiercer and the shrill whistle of a ship could be heard now and then whenever there was a lull in the storm. just as she was putting the meal on the table her grandfather ran down the stairs crying, Shipwreck on the Reef! Wrecked l cried Elaine, dropping the dish of potatoes she was about to put on the table. Yes. I am going to the station. You stay here and take care of the light,'l said the captain as he reached for his hat and coat. i All right l Elaine called after him as he shut the door. VVho will go? Who will take Craig's place? Some one volunteer, Cap- tain Sinclair was crying as the old lighthouse keeper came up. I will go.'l said he. No, you shall not: you are too old,,' exclaimed Sinclair. I must and willfl was the answer. No, think of E.laine,', said Sinclair as he lightly pushed the old man aside. Let me. I am young and strong, called a young man who came running up. All right. All aboard! cried Sinclair. A dozen men fought through the throng of women and children to his side and within five minutes the lifeboat was afloat. It was tossed like a cork among the great waves and soon, only a second it seemed to the watchers on shore, and she was broken to pieces on the rocks and her crew thrown into the mighty waters. Helpless, with smashed boats, with her masts overboard and her rudder in splinters, lay the ship. The wind was relentlessly bearing her toward the great blade of rock. Half an hour, perhaps twenty minutes, perhaps fifteen, would suffice to see the end. The only thing left for the watchers to do now was to shoot a line to the doomed vessel. Again and again they tried, but all in vain, each time the rope fell short of its mark. She lasted just twenty minutes and then all was over: she had parted in the middle. - All night the rescuers tried to save the drowning passengers, crew of the ship and lifesaving crew. As streaks of light began to appear in the east the wind slowly died and by seven o'clock not a trace of fog was left. The sun shone down on the peaceful sea. There was hardly a ripple, when the night before the waves had been mountain high. All along the shore were strewn pieces of wreckage and many searching parties were out looking for the dead and injured. Captain Hendrix was among them and had not been home all night. About eight o'clock some one asked him why the light was still burning. The old man turned and looked at the tower. lVlly God, he exclaimed at last, what has is u ' 28