Huntington North High School - Modulus Yearbook (Huntington, IN)

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r- — -MODULUS. Patty Jane fondly stroked the beautifully arched neck of her mount, then swung lightly upon its back and waved farewell to Mammy Lou as she left the grounds. She was to meet her Uncle Waldon at the Bounce Inn, five miles away, and as it was rather late she lightly touched her horse and galloped on, but later, seeing that she would arrive soon enough, she allowed her horse to slow down to a canter and finally to a walk. She had covered about half the distance when she suddenly came up- on a purple envelope, lying face-downward in the middle of the road. Slip- ping from her horse she stooped to pick it up, but as she knelt down, she was seized and after having her arms pinioned behind her, then was jerked to her feet. A large, husky man, bearded and unkempt, turned her face toward him and in his narrow eyes gleamed spite and cunning. Well, Lillian, he exclaimed in a gruff voice, now I guess you ' ll come with us ! Here, Hadley ! A second man, smaller but as shabby as his comrade, stepped from a clump of bushes, and grinned disconcertingly at the bewildered captive. He whistled three high, clear, staccato notes, then waited in silence, and soon a creamy-white and a coal-black horse crashed through the under- growth. I Patty Jane sharply drew her breath. So this was the fate of her j newly purchased steeds! To be certain she again regarded the animals, j only to find that Foam and Scooter were most assuredly these two I beautiful creatures before her. I beg your pardon, but I ' m sure that you are quite mistaken, she I murmured, I am j Yes, you are Lillian Maxwell, snarled the taller one, You got away I with our pay once, now you ' ll come across. • Loosening a coil of rope, which hung to Foam ' s saddle he quickly ' and securely bound her aiTns behind her. Now he lifted her to her horse ; ! the men mounted the other two. and with Hadley leading Pep- I per, they trailed down a narrow lane in single file. I Patty Jane pondered for a moment in wild despair. Should she re- I monstrate or should she allow things to remain as they were, for the pres- ' ent? She decided on the latter, for upon second reflection she saw the ! uselessness of trying to escape. Besides being bound, she was between ! the horses of the two men, so she maintained a silence which remained un- ' broken. Swerving suddenly to the right she soon saw a tiny hut loom before , her. Upon reaching it she was rudely helped from her horse, the three animals were tied to the trunks of some trees, and the two men hurried her into the log cabin. The room in which Patty Jane found herself was simply furnished with a small table, four chairs, and a rocker. A box, standing in one comer of the room, evidently served as a cupboard, while at the farthest side was a large, stone fireplace.

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i 1 proving the character of the American student to be advanced farther in the plan of a four-fold life than the European scholar. And thus, while we are unmercifully criticized for the deficiencies which we suffer, we are waiting for the critics to unveil to us the European country wherein the students have a more sincere and affectionate disposition, a more honor- ' able character, and a greater religious, civic, and political freedom than ' the youthful citizens of the United States of America enjoy. 4 THE HUT IN THE HOLLOW I, , By Orvilla Kruse •- •. Patty Jane slumped into a disconsolate little heap beside a large pil- lar which helped to uphold the roof of the porch. She placed her elbows on her knees, rested her quivering chin in her cupped hands, and although her snow-white forehead was marred by a distracting wrinkle, she present- ed a beautiful picture in a beautiful setting. Her golden hair was bobbed, the curly ringlets an unruly mass of wealth ; her full, red lips were slightly parted, disclosing even rows of dazzling pearls ; and her hazel eyes were opened wide, gazing unseeingly into space. Behind her. on the large, roomy porch, v as every luxurious conveni- ence ; before her the green grass was as beautiful as a carpet of velvet ; while all about the great mansion bloomed flowers. What if the birds did sing and roses perfume the air? I All the sunshine of her life was now transformed by a blow as sudden as a shaft of forked lightning. ' They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place, she cried impetuously, But it ' s not so! First my own lovely mother and daddy were taken from me by that dreadful automobile wreck ten long years ago. Now my poor, dear Don has so mysteriously disappeared and I shall probably never see him again. Now Honeychile, don ' fret, case yo ' mammy ' ll try and help yo ' ef she can, crooned Mammy Lou, suddenly emerging from the hallway. Her head was turbaned by a large, red, cotton bandanna handkerchief and her shiny visage expressed great concern and love for her adorable mis- tress. Mistah Waldon dest telephoned an ' sed ter ax yo ' ef yo ' all won ' t come on a fox-hunt. She had discreetly changed the subject. Patty Jane slowly rose to her feet and sighed, then replied, As it is, I ' ll have to go, for to refuse even once more would show discourtesy on my part and with that she followed her loyal servant into her home. A half of an hour later she again made her appearance, wearing an ; expensive brown riding habit, and as she walked down the stately steps . she abstractedly drew on her gloves. The stable boy now came into view, leading a beautiful horse, whose glossy, brown coat glistened in the sunlight. The saddle upon its back ; was the best to be purchased, and Pepper whinnied for joy as he can- tered up to his owner.

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— .MODULUS- Singular, ho vever, were the decorations. Upon each of the chairs were pruple cushions, at the two windows hung pui-ple curtains, and the material drawn hefore the opening of the cupboard was also purple. Even the tiny woven rug befoi-e the fireplace was carried out in the predomin- ating color-scheme. Suit you? queried the tall one maliciously. Knew that purple letter ' ud ketch yer eye, and a right good reason it should, eh? Patty Jane shrunk from his taunting presence with abhorrence. She could not hope to be rescued, for the road was lonely, and it was very unlikely that anyone should choose that one trail from all the rest, yet she lived in that hope. Well, ye ' ll have time to git used to it, he continued as he crossed the room and opened one of two doors which led from the main quarter. Make yersel ' t ' home, he mocked, as he motioned for the girl to enter, to which she complied, then heard the heavy bolt shot into place. Sinking down upon the cot she pondered over the situation. How could she make them see their mistake ? What could she do ? She looked about her. The same color-scheme was prominent here as it was in the other room. What could the significance be? Only one open space supplied ventilation and that was near the roof. Soon Hadley appeared with a plate of beans, a chunk of dry bread, and a glass of cold spring water. He eyed her in amusement for a mo- ment, then freed her and invited her to partake of the food which he had placed upon the camp-stool. Patty Jane remained motionless until he made his departure, then ruefully plunged her hands in the pockets of her coat. In her right pock- et she felt a hard metallic something which she eagerly pulled out. Her eyes lighted with pleasure as she saw, lying in the palm of her hand, her own tiny pearl handled revolver. She quickly examined it but found to her dismay that only one shot was left. She remembered that but a few days ago she had been wasting her ammunition as she prowled through the woods near her home, but yet it gave her a comforting sense of protection, at least. After an hour had elapsed she heard the men leaving, the gruff voice of the tall one, boisterous and commanding, while that of Hadley was scarcely ever heard. Just his tool, thought Patty Jane as she listened. What can their little game be? She had decided to watch them. Pushing the cot beneath the window she placed the chair and box upon it and climbing to the top of this she found that she was just high enough to peep through the iron bars. The men strode boldly forward, Hadley following the other one until they came to a large tree. Standing motionless for a second they scanned the surrounding territory. To escape observation she quickly stooped down, but when she again sought to spy, she found to her disgust that they had been swallowed alive by the earth. I I j Fiffre...