Houlton High School - North Star Yearbook (Houlton, ME)

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THE FATEFUL SHOT John's telephone rang four consecutive times that morning of December thirty- first. Joan Garcelon wanted him to come to a New Year's celebration at the Mayfair fClub. Just as soon as you and Peggy fin- ish that exhibition dance of yours at the hotel, dear. A different girl desired his company for a New Year's Eve supper. All at the last moment, but I do hope that you haven't planned anything else after your act tonight. A truly unknown voice belonging to a name which he had never even heard-Mary or Marion or This or That said: Hello, John? Listen, I sent you a card for my dance tonight. Did you get it? 'Oh, how awful! Well, I do want you to come very much. I know that you and Peggy are dancing at the hotel tonight at eleven, Johnny, but you can make it so easily afterwards. John Parker, young and blond and un- ulsually handsome in a maroon dressing gown, smiled into the phone and to each of these invitations gave a pleasant sound- ing, but very firm negative reply. Once John had accepted the various thrusts of all women. There had been a time when he had been intensely flattered to attend part- ies by young married women who were both bored and misunderstood, even by women who were marketing for husbands. He had, he knew, been a very 'immature youth then-with a socially prominent father and mother, with plenty of money. He was no longer a youth, nor green either. He had long since known money as a total stranger. His parents had both been killed as the result of an automobile smash-up, and his father was a man who made a great deal of money during life, but left nearly nothing when he so unceremonious- ly left this world. Because of this, John had worked his way through Georgetown University by dancing with Peggy Staple- ton in floor shows at the various hotels and night clubs. He was twenty-five, through law school, and the victor over the law exams. Tonight wouldhe his last exhibition with Peggy, and their he would begin the New Year in the law firm of Howard and Johnson. It was a wonderful experience, a real break! I ought to be feeling on top of the world, thought John as he lit a pipe and walked toward the window. But he dldn't feel anything like a million bucks, and he knew why. Tonight would be the last time that he would dance with Peggy Stapleton, the last time that he would ever hold her in his arms, the last time that the gardenia fragrance of her hair would thrill him-the softness of her slender arms, the firm small waist, the lovable, young face. It must be the last time, because no man could expect 'Peggy to share a tiny flat, to cook, to sew, to wait for him to be some- thing more than a promising young lawyer. Outside, the snow whirling like foamy bubbles of spray at the foot of a waterfall, was in keeping with the perfect crystals frosting the window pane, which were as delicate as the veil of a bride. Bride! John's teeth clinched on the stem of his pipe. He closed his eyes for a moment and visualized Peggy Stapleton as a bride- Reed C'alton's bride. The fragile Veil fall- ing from the thick, lustrous, black hair: the merry, red mouth, and those talkative, brown eyes-all were clear to hlzn. He saw her as Reed Calton's wife, the big brown house on Massachusetts Avenue, the end- less parties, the trips to Florida, to Sun Valley, to Newport-all in season. Peggy belonged to that world. She had grown up in wealth, had been trained to be a rich man's wife. Peggy had made a spectacular debut and had met the right people to find eventually some one like Reed Calton. It was simply following a pattern. She was lPeggy Stapleton, and she could dance with John Parker for his supper, she could sing with orchestras in New York night places. People thought it simply amusing. A so- ciety glrl having fun before settling down to marry Reed Calton. Reed Calton! John despised him. It was something more than jealousy, that hatred of his for Calton, and it wasn't because of Reed's pursuit of Peggy. It went back to Southhampton where the Calton's Es- tate had adjoinded the lParker's. In those summer months John had learned about Reed Calton. He was spoiled by nature, his parents and too much leisure and money. His large, dark complexioned fig- ure, although weak physically as well as morally, the majority of feminlty found charm-ing. John thought of Peggy's loveli- ness ln the twice-married Reed's arms and

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us on our ride. The ride wasn't half long enough, but we decided to come back a- gain later. Next we saw a man with some ice cream-big double dug into my pocket, --I can still taste hungry, so Georgie and sat down. We cones! Again my hand and I had an ice cream. that! I was tired and and me went to a tent ordered hot dogs, pop, ice cream, and some kind of pie. I felt better after the meal, so off we started again. Georgie suddenly tugged at my shirt- tail-now hanging out-and he shouted 'Lookl Over there!' I looked! Holy Smoke! There stood the biggest woman I ever saw. She had on a little, short dress. I guess they couldn't find enough cloth for the rest of her. I couldn't speak: I just stood and looked! We finally wandered away from the fat lady to a'tent that had a sign 'See The wild Man' on it. I hurriedly gave the man our money and Georgie and me went in. Bcv! Did I hurry out of there. I was so scared it made me hungry. Well, Georgie and me went and got some lemonade, pop corn, and some choc- olate ice cream. I just couldn't seem to get filled up! After we ate, we went for a ride in an airplane, rode on the ferris-wheel twice, the merry-go-'round again, the whip, and had a couple of rides on a. pony. We ate a lot more stuff and then went up into the grand stand to watch the fire works. They were swell, the fireworks, but so were the peanuts and chocolate bars. 'Bout nine my father found Georgie and me, and I went home. When I got home I was nearly starved. So, I made some sandwiches and drank some milk. I felt better, so I went to bed. This morning-oh! I didn't feel so good. Gosh! I kept feelin' worse and worser. Gee! I can't figure out what made me sick. Can you? VENGEANCE by Goldie Weaver Characters: Helen, Aneas, Venus Scene of action takes place at Helen's home in her shrine. Aneas, wandering through the streets, comes upon the open door that leads to the shrine where Helen is. With shield before him and spear in hand, he enters. Helen, hearing footsteps and the clanging of armor, crouches on the steps behind the shrine. Helen: Who dareth trespass into my pri- vate abode, oh, stranger? ,Aneas: Art one so deep in crime, trying to chastise one, who tries to rid the city of such traitors? Helen: Dost thou, oh, so brave warrior, know who I am? Aneas: Cspeaking disgustedlyy Who would be so ignorant as not to know thee, traitor, and woman of unsurpassed beauty? Helen: fin dispalrj Oh, mighty warrior, can'st thou be so cruel as to accuse me of things which thou knowest not of? Come, fpleadinglyj rest thou beside me. Aneas: lin retort! With you? lasidel T'would be honorable to rid others of this woman. Is she not from Sparta? What of her fatherland? She seeks only the safety of her sanctuary. I shall strike to end this conspiracy of hers, hateful woman. lTo herj Thou ought to be put out of people's way. Even here am I tempted. fAneas rises his hand as if to strike.J , 1Venus enters in Godllke beautyl She speaks: Stay thy hand, my son. What cruel heart prompts thee to do such a dishonor- able deed? Is not Paris to blame as well as this defenseless woman? My son, it was the will of the gods that she appear as a woman blamed for this thing that has happened. Blame her not, I beg thee. Helen: Listen to thy mother, oh, god- dess born. Venus: Both of you, go: flee for your lives, for Troy is doomed. I can do no more to save you. My son, beg forgiveness of this one that thou so hastily accused. fExit Venus, waving her hands as if asking a blessing.J Aneas: fTurns to Helen and speaks thuszj If thou will forgive one, who in a strange sudden wrathful impulse-tHe is interrupted here by Helen.D Helen: Go, thou brave warrior: seek the safety of your wife, your son, and your aged father. All is forgiven. CAneas leaves, after he leans gently forward, touches Helen's brow lightly with his lips, in a sign that he is sorry for what he has sald.J

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,. ce, sf.-sfs ' ' .V J, 5 E fb? N JUNIOR DIVISION ORCHESTRA the muscles of his determined-loking jaw tightened perceptibly. He uttered an oath and then, conscious of someone behind him, wheeled sharply around. Peggy iStapleton stood there gigg- ling at him. She said gaily, All you need, John Parker, is a good casket, and you could do an excellent fadeout! What are! she cocked an ilntpudent eye-brow at him, you so tragic and blasphemous about? And don't look at me as though I were Marley's ghost. John smiled down his pipe stem and came toward her. He said, Come on in, Nut. l am in, Dope! iShe skinned off her little hat and put it on the sofa with a. large package. As John helped her off with her mink coat, she said, .I've brought the pistol and a lot of blank cartridges to go with our new record. We ought to wow 'em tonight. John. At least, John grinned. I hope we give the management a hundred bucks' worth. That's what they're paying us. Did I tell you? He untied the long package and handed a new record to Peggy. He stood there, juggling the small, shiny pistol as Peggy adjusted the record on the radio. Peggy said, This record is swell, John. It's going to fit our routine wonderfully. VVell. put it on and let's get started. NVe'll only need to go through it a couple of times, l think. He slipped the pistol into his pocket, waited for the first slow, fascinating notes of the music and held out his arms. The dance began. Languidly. d1'ea1nily, they circled the room in a series of fas- cinating turns and then they speeded lt up with breath-taking whirls. Peggy's small heels clicked together and drew apart, gradually slowing downg Peggy's slim body swayed like a flower in a summer breeze. John's heart began to poundg he was think- ing of the part to follow-the moment when he crushed her to him and made the audi- ence think that he was really kissing her with passion. It was always a stage kiss, his mouth never quite touched hers, but he thought desperately. Vin going to kiss her. It will be the last time. so I must. He didn't, although her mouth was there. close to his. red and inviting. Then he flung her from him, sent her reeling across the floor. The dance was approaching its spectacular climax. He made a movement toward her which she evaded by a neat hip movement. He reached for the revolver and brought it forth into the bright morn- ing sunlight. tContinued on page 493