Lincoln High School - Lincolnian Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

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the LINCOLNIAN Miss Brown’s she told her of Harold’s call. Great was Evelyn’s joy to know that Harold had returned, and just when she needed him most. She combed her lustrous hair and put on a beautiful clinging white dress, thinking perhaps he would call that evening. Evelyn was indeed a vision of loveliness, when she descended the stairs to await Harold’s looked for arrival. While she waited she glanced aimlessly over the paper. Her eyes fell upon the ac- count of the outing party and of the pros- pect of a wedding soon. She was shocked. Was it possible, could it be true that Harold was going to marry Theresa, and that he was only going to offer her charity? Why had she been so foolish? Not until now did it dawn upon her that Harold was not serious. She had thought him so different from the rest. She was on the verge of tears when she thought, why should she despair at the news? Disappointed and worn she sought her room and sat late in the moonlight in unhappy thought. It was now the third day of the outing trip. During these days Theresa tried to work her charms upon Harold, to no effect. She de- termined that he should go insane about her and ask her to marry him, and then she would show him how she would refuse him and tell him of her engagement to the Frenchman, which was her secret. Then she could picture him going back to ask Evelyn, whom he had scorned. So to start her plan she arranged to have Evelyn Rich Marri- age” announced in the paper. She knew this was the name of Harold’s sweetheart; she was determined to win Harold. She saw this was the only way. That evening when she and Harold were out walking she showed him the announcement and laughingly said, “What do you think of that and to think she use to love you ?” “Theresa it cannot be so!” “It is not my Evelyn.” “I must go and get it from her lips,” objected Harold. “You think it is not so, well take my word for it, all women are alike.” Theresa knew that when he. went to Evelyn and told her of the announcement, she would be too astonished to deny or say anything; think- ing that he doubted her that much. The following day Harold went to see Eve- lyn. The minute she saw him she was all smiles and greeted him with joy, but she thought that he acted strangely. “So it must be true,” he thought. “She is not working.” “How lucky it is that you caught me home. It was so good of the manager to give me a week off,” said Evelyn. “So it is true that you are married? I never would have thought you could disap- point me, Evelyn,” said Harold. “I, married !” exclaimed Evelyn. “That is indeed a very funny way to start.” ' “Ah, I suppose you think I ought to con- gratulate you, but I am not to be fooled with and I curse you.” “Harold, I do not know what you mean. You know I am not married!” “1 knew you would try to dissemble about it; but you will rue it. I hate and despise you I” With these frenzied words he left her. She was too shocked and crushed for connected thought She wept because he doubted her. She was hurt because Theresa, whom she knew had shown him the announcement of her namesake’s marrigae, had plotted against her. Thinking of her deep wrongs, she flung herself across the couch and cried bitterly. Miss Brown hearing her sobs ran in the parlor. But Evelyn was too hysterical for self-control. Miss Brown called some of the other boarders and they carried the distracted girl to her room. “That’s what I say about these men,” de- ( 11 )

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THE I N C 0 L N I A N HAROLD’S LOVE AFFAIR. Mamie Lewis, T4. Theresa and Evelyn had been considered the beauties of their class. Theresa was a blond with blue eyes and golden hair, while Evelyn had raven locks and black eyes. It had been four years since they had graduated from school. In that time circumstances for the two girls had changed. Theresa had be- come the leading society girl, but Evelyn, having been left an orphan, worked in a store. It was the eve of the return of Harold White, who had alternated his affections be- tween the girls in school days. Everyone in the little village was wondering whether Theresa or Evelyn would be fortunate enough to win him. The evening of his arrival a welcome home dinner was given for Harold by Mrs. Coles. Theresa looked her very best as she smiled her greetings to the guests. All through it was a delightful affair and Harold was highly entertained. But remem- bering the spirit of comradship which had existed between Theresa and Evelyn, he won- dered where Evelyn was and why she was not with Theresa that evening. After the dinner Harold went home thoughtfully. Still wondering, he asked his mother when they were seated upon the front porch watching the clouds in the sum- mer sky. “Mother, dear, I didn’t see .Evelyn Walton at the dinner. How was that?” “Why Harold White,” she exclaimed. “Surely you don’t expect the best of society to invite paupers, to meet what they expected to be their foremost man?” “If you call Evelyn a pauper because she works for her living, I must say I did expect her. “Haloid, I hope you are not going to renew that old friendship. There is Theresa, who is the leading young girl of society.” “To be sure, I will renew my love, not to say friendship, with Evelyn. I always loved her, and love her yet; as for Theresa, I liked her as a friend only.” “And this is the way you are to bring shame upon the head of your mother, by lov- ing a common working girl, simply because you think your former love is binding.” “I am sorry, indeed, mother, if I bring shame, but I must find Evelyn.” And with these words he left his mother. Mrs. White, having been left alone, brooded upon the shame which would surely be brought to her by her son’s contemplated action. Then she thought of a plan, know- ing that Evelyn was not in town then, to bring Harold and Theresa together and en- kindle the former friendship, which she be- lieved to be love. Her plan was to have an outing party to Glendale, a place about fif- teen miles: from Ruthford. When Harold left his mother he went di- rectly to Miss Brown and inquired for Eve- lyn. She told him that she had been called away on account of the death of a distant uncle. So, not finding her, be returned home, to be fronted the first thing with the plans of the outing party. And what depressed him more, Theresa was entrusted to him. Not that he disliked Theresa, but he doubted him- self and feared that he might be bewitched by this wondrous beauty. He was deter- mined to be strong, and he never doubted the promise Evelyn had made to him in then- school days. He realized that, though Theresa had thousands in wealth and was surrounded by luxury, and his mother favored her for his wife, he knew that Evelyn most needed him and he needed her. Three days had passed and it was Thurs- day evening when Evelyn returned. Only that morning had the outing party started on its trip to Glendale. When Evelyn reached 1

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THE LINCOLNIAN dared Miss Brown. “They win the love of innocent dear girls, then break their hearts No man for me!” It was some time before Evelyn gained her composure. When she did she was told it would be a long time before she would be allowed to leave her bed, as her heart was weak. After Harold left Evelyn he returned to the camp and went to his mother. He told her that she was right about him going to bring her fame now. That evening when he went out with Theresa he was gay and happy. Theresa was lovely in her outing frock and was happy, for she knew her plans were going to work. They had not gone far when Harold turned to Theresa, seized her hand and said, “Theresa I have been blind. I loved Evelyn and thought ■die loved me, but I was blind. I cannot love you as I have cherished Evelyn, but I need you.” “Ah, you think you want me now. You do not see yet ; you are blind. I care not for you. “I am engaged and will marry in the spring. Neither my father nor my mother know of my engagement. “Take my advice and go to Evelyn. You men doubt women too soon. Evelyn is too true. She has not married. It was her namesake who married. She loved you. I hate you and because of that hate I planned this outrage.” “0, Theresa, how could you?” “Yes, how could I? Well how could you doubt such a pure girl as Evelyn ? “I tell you to go to her — Ah, you are not worthy of her.” With these words and a scornful laugh she left him. All while Theresa rebuked him, Harold hung his head. Not until he was sure she had gone did he stir. Then he sat down on a log, bowed his head and said: “She is right. How could I have doubted Evelyn. I should never have agreed to go on the party without seeing Evelyn. “Mother was blind too. But not so blind as I. “Ah! I cursed the one I love! “I want Evelyn now, but dare not ask her again. I doubt her still.” “She is not like others. She will forgive me. “But, oh 1 the agony she has gone through. “She said she loved me and I told her she lied. “Ah ! wretched me 1” These last words were uttered from the very depth of Harold’s soul for he realized the predicament in which he had placed him- self. That evening - Harold told his mother how they had wronged Evelyn through the trickery of Theresa Coles. Mrs. While told him to have courage and confess his wrong to Evelyn. If she loved him as he believed, she would forgive him. He agreed to go the next day. It was -known that the party was to break up the next day. Already had Mr. and Mrs. Coles and their daughter Theresa left, because of illness of latter. The next day Harold called at Miss Brown’s and asked for Evelyn. He was drenched in grief when told he could not see her. “Ah God! must she die on my account. It must not be. My good woman I implore you to let me see her. I have wronged her.” I love her and she must not die.” Miss Brown was overwhelmed by the plead- ing. She could restrain him no longer Gently she led the grief-stricken man to Evelyn’s room. There he fell down by her bed and went, Evelyn rested her hand tremblingly on his head and let him weep his heart’s content. At length he was able to speak in coherent and imploring words begging for forgiveness. She told him to arise and forget the past and live in the present for their love.