Humberside Collegiate Institute - Hermes Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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T THE Hrgrarwgfn J '-: - wr . . --. Q 242 .W R definite melody. Shuri felt something stir in her heart that had never been moved before. The music seemed to weave about her a spell so strange and new that it frightened her into quivering. Down the lane she saw the music- maker, a dark, slender form, moving slowly along, his head laid lovingly against the violin, dreamily playing a song that seemed to rise from the very centre of his being. High in her tree, Shuri waited, entranced, for the boy to come nearer. By the pale light of the waning moon, her keen eyes dis- cerned how dark he was, that his dress was different. Leaning forward and peering more closely at him, she instantly recognized Kazan of the fair. He was close to the tree now and would have passed. At the same time the voice of the violin suddenly burst forth into stronger rising tones. and Shuri. unbalanced by the tumult of the emotions thus awakened, dropped the apple which she still held in her hand, barely saving herself from a similar fate by a quick jerk backwards. Like a cry the music broke off abruptly on a soaring note. Kazan turned towards the shaking tree to investigate. What he saw-scarcely what he expected-was Shuri the dancing girl, of whom he knew little, though she belonged to his tribe, look- ing down at him with frightened grey eyes. What in the world are you doing up there now ? he queried in a rather surprised but peremptory tone. Now that the spell had passed, Shuri became herself by assuming a hostile attitude, for she was angry at being discovered. What in the world are you doing, playing a violin along the lane at night like a crazy fool ? she retorted. Instantly his face softened and he smiled gently. W7e are both silly people, arenlt we ?,' Shuri moved uncomfortably. This wasn't the kind of reply she had expected at all. Kazan leaned nearer the fence. But won't you really tell me why you are up there? I always play at night when the world is silent and listening. yet I'm sure you can't always climb apple trees by the light of the moon. Shuri was silent. She was not going to tell him. Anyway, he was just another person who would spread her bad reputation before her, call her Amazon, ne'er-do-well, thief. She looked at his kind and pleading eyes. felt her cold heart melting, and decided to tell him. I was stealing apples, she said and gazed at him with unquailing eyes. VVere they nice P Yes, she nodded in surprise at his question. Let me lift you down to talk to me, and he put out the arm that was not holding the violin. Thank you, I can get down myself. Followed a hasty scramble on to the low fence, a graceful leap, and she was before him. Kazan laid his violin and his bow carefully on the fence, and turned towards her, looking down seriously into her face as he placed two hands gently but firmly on her shoulders. Shuri, why did you steal those apples ? She merely looked steadily into his eyes, standing as straight as a rod in front of him. Didn't you know it was wrong? Again only a wide stare answered him, this time her smooth rounded chin settling into resolute lines. Kazan was secretly delighted with his fas-

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3 TH E H gram tif l R W - A g g g c - WEB! 22.1 D .0 qw' V sign W 'Eg Q! A zfff' . J 5' , f -' ff g 7 ,f 1 1- J V ' I. f A A , ,- f ff J Y gi O 1. A: : A q I ,f PA !Qyl .4 5' I l 1 IF' , e 1 A-Jfl L 1 ' I 'Q I I I fflf N V, l A lil A i-'11-i f ' 'W' fe Q df I' Q i v og' i I x A few minutes later, she stood eat ravenously, the biggest and juiciest beneath the spreading branches of an ancient apple tree, gazing up in antici- pation at the globes of shiny red fruit. She seemed to be revelling in the very sight of the apples which to her were symbols of the greatest luxury. A whole tree to herself! A hooting owl from the thicket across the lane which marked the boundary of the farm, broke the spell and warned her to hurry. Putting one dainty foot into the crotch of the tree, she swung her slim young body on to the first branch, paused lightly, then scrambled to a higher bough where, after perching herself comfort- ably with the trunk as a 'back-rest, Shuri, sighing ecstatically, began to apples. Une apple followed another, each more slowly than the last. Her hunger somewhat appeased, Shuri stood up to gather more. It was foolish not to get as much as she could while she had the chance. She reached up a brown hand into the leaves above her, broke off an apple and let it drop as gently as she could to the green grass below. Another was about to follow, when she lifted her head and listened intently. Borne on the fragrant summer breeze, the faint far-away strains of a violin lloated to her ears. As she hearlcened, Shuri realized that the sound was coming nearer, growing louder, for gradually she could make out some 27

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THE 1-irgrawlgfn N cinating Eve. Such eloquent silence, such clear, wide-set eyes! He moved aside resolutely, picked up his precious violin, and said sober-ly, yet with a twinkle in his eyes: Listen, With his bow he struck a harsh, ugly sound that startled Shuri's serene gaze. The other chords were all just as hateful as the first, cold, clumsy, hard, like the face of the chief as he lashed her with his leather Whip. Shuri closed her eyes, wincing at the remembrance. Unable to bear the sounds longer, she stamped her feet childishly and clapped her hands over her ears. Kazan ,stopped and moved towards her, smiling slightly. You don't like it? V But that's just how ugly you are inside, he added as her eyes flashed fire at him. You'd be ugly if you hadn,t eaten anything all day, she returned defiantly, and the reason I didn't was because I kicked Toni for laughing at my new dance. Now you know everything. Cho, young Amazon, such spirit! Then it's your own fault, Kazan re- plied, but in such a playful manner that Shuri could not be angry at him 'for calling her names. He didn't even reprove her. After a brief silence, Kazan started suddenly and glanced up at the sky. 'KLook! he said. Shuri instantly realized that it was no longer dark, and that a thin, opalescent haze, spreading over the heavens in the east, foretold dawn. Come, you must let me take you home. Shuri looked at his finely-cut features slowly and asked hesitatingly, VVill you play for me again Pl' Kazan felt his heart rush up into his throat. Had his music moved her so soon? Inside, he felt confused and quivering with eagerness, but out- wardly he nodded and smiled very slowly, as he tucked his violin under his chin. Wallqing down the lane beside him, Shuri watched his dark, handsome face which filled her with a strangely sweet feeling. Never before had she known what it was to like a person. Kazan was so different, he treated .her gently and the music he made thrilled her in an alarming manner. Beneath an ancient finger-post they parted, Kazan promising to play for her again, Shuri nodding delightedly. Then she fled for the caravan, happy. The changes that had come about in wicked little Shuri were evident enough to provoke the chief's com- ment, though he admitted he didn't know why she had so suddenly changed for the better. Even Shuri herself did not kno-w the reason. But Kazan knew. You were a hungry little soul, craving beauty and getting only ugli- ness. That is why you felt so happy when I played for you, he explained one evening, long after the fair. Shuri nodded. They were sitting on a stile together in the twilight of a summer evening. It's so wonderful, this new feel- ing, Shuri said softly, turning her head to stare up at Kazan. Your music was like the rain that blesses the thirsty ground and fills our earthen jars. Before, when people jeered at me, I hated them and said now Csigh- worse things back. But ingl I feel sorry that they should have such ugly thoughts and I want to tell them all the lovely things I can about you and the beautiful music you make. Kazan smiled tenderly. only one thing left, he There is said slowly,