Lincoln High School - Lincolnian Yearbook (Tacoma, WA)

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' The Little Gray Mouse PRlNGTlME, the herald of the good old summertime, breathed vibrant life into the winter- chilled world. How the people of the eastern town of Dorset looked forward to its comingl One of its early fresh days brought many people out, on rambles thru the poplar-shad- ed walks and on jaunts into the neighboring countryside. Two girls had been enjoying themselves in this fashion and were now returning to their homes. The girls were chums. Elinor was beautiful in every feature, with cheeks of pink, eyes of blue, and hair slight- ly darker than golden: Anna was slender, and her only claim to beauty lay in her large, dark eyes and heavy, dark hair. As the two were strolling along the street they talked of their various interests. Oh, Anna, l wish you could see my new dress. lt's a perfect dream. Mamma just finished all yesterday ex- cept the collar, and l am going to sew the lace on it tonight. Then l will get my hat and pumps and when everything is completed l will show you how l will look on the evening of the dance. Clee was the keynote of Elinor's voice as she spoke. Then she added: How about it, Anna: aren't you real- ly going to this dance? Why do you always stay at home. when you could be having such a grand time? Come to this one, won't you, please? Anna nervously turned the mat- ter aside. Se did not want Elinor to know why she did not go. But be- cause of her shyness she was not popular with the boys: consequently, although she loved to dance, she was always a wallflower. At this point of the conversation a troop of four girls overtook them. They were a chattering, happy group of ravishing young creatures. They nodded carelessly and smiled to Anna, then burst into exclamation: with Elinor over the coming event, the first country club dance of the sea- son. Elinor, can we see your new dress now? Can we? Oh, please, Elinor. The four girls, arms locked togeth- er, leaned toward Elinor and pleaded. But she would not yield. ' No, girls, not yet, she said, play- fully. You said you wouldn't show me yours, so l won't show you mine. Oh, Elinor! Say, who is going to take you? Bud Fisher? burst in Tot Meredith, questioning Elinor. Elinor shook her head. Now, Tot, why not you tell us the name of your very dear friend? Tot blushed. Then Mary Strath- more broke into an interesting mys- tery. l wonder whom our new Doctor Richards is going to take? He's one fine fellow, l'll tell the world. Y' know, l think that smart Alice Ma- thew thinks he likes her. Her broth- er told my kid brother that Alice pre- tended she was sick and had her mother have him come in and see her. Guess l'll try the same stunt. l got to get my tonsils out, anyhow, giggled Edith Locke. Genial merriment spread over the little company. Well, Elinor, seeing you won't show us your outfit l guess we had better sprint, smiled Christie Thomp- son, in hope that Elinor might weak- en. A babble of voices ensued and then in a chorus of So longs! and Good-byesl the girls tripped gaily off, leaving Anna and Elinor alone. The two girls again resumed their

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14 THE. LINCOLNIAN enough for two-five, I mean: and you will be happy and never have to worry. The widow saw Mr. Bell's glare and his rude behavior. Go home and tell your ma she wants you, Kenney, he said, push- ing Mr. Kenney out the door. Beat it quick! And Kenney did, after uselessly getting on his dignity and refusing to do any such thing, the widow's giggle making his ears burn. Now, you poor kid, l see through you like a piece of tissue paper. What you need is a guardian, so you won't get in trouble trying to be kind to silly fools. What do you mean? l am per- fectly able Oh, yes, you ain't. What I mean is-l'm an old fool, too, but l like your kids, and not having any of my own, l want yours. On the side, l want you. His face beamed and belied the on the side. He awkwardly ex- tended his arms and stood there, look- ing fond and foolish, until the widow made up her mind to accept him. You knew she was going to choose Mr. Bell, didn't you? l did, too, as soon as he neglected to write, for she was Irish and feminine.

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I6 THE LINCOLNIAN walk. The conversation dwelt rriain- ly on the foolish prattle of their friends: then it drifted into a little bit of seriousness. Anna, why don't you join in the conversation more? The girls don't know what good fun you are. Don't be so shy. l don't know what it is, Elinor. that makes me so shy, Anna replied. I suppose they must think l am dreadfully stupid. Oh, Anna, they all know that you are not stupid. If you would get in with the crowd you wouldn't be so bashful. Anna looked up at Elinor with one of her rare smiles, and said: l'll try. Here the two girls parted. Elinor lived a few blocks west of Anna's home. Surely, you'll try. Well. so long, concluded Elinor and left with a cheerful nod. So long, Anna returned, and then walked slowly down the street. thoughtful. The group of girls after they had left the two chums walked to the chocolate shop for their daily supply of sweetmeats. l wonder what Elinor sees in Anna that makes her go with her all the time, Mary Strathmore remark- ed. Anna probably knows some- thing, but she never talks when we meet her. lf you do say something to her she gets fussed and blushes as if she were being introduced to Doug. Fairbanks. But l bet Elinor will be a queen in her new dress, interrupted Tot Meredith, still interested in Elinor's outfit. She liked Anna. All the girls did, for that matter, but Anna was too slow for companionship. So she turned the conversation to a more interesting subject. Elinor looks good in everything shemwearsk We shave got to admit that she has good looks, Christie Thompson added. Now that they had come to the chocolate shop, they placed them- selves on the stools before the foun- tain of youth. Here they always had great fun teasing the red-headed, freckle-faced, giggling soda dispenser. He told them whatever they wanted to know about the village populace, for at least three-fourths of its num- ber visited his place of business once a week. when he had prepared the con- coctions they ordered he began his usual stutter. l g-g-g-got some more news for you! Have you, Brick? the girls said. continuing to eat, not being much concerned in what he might say to- day. Yeah, Brick grinned. Well, let's have it, said Tot, dis- interested. W-w-w-well, a f-f-f-friend of yours has left t-t-t-town, he continued. Who? Tot said, still eating. D-d-d-doctor Richards, he con- cluded, his face wrinkled with a grin from ear ot ear. The four girls ceased eating: they shouted in chorus, Doctor Rich- ardsl lmmediately the four heads looked around to see if anyone was there to hear. But no one had heard them. The only listener in the shop was a little lad who was diligently draining a soda glass, the noise of which was sufficient to distract his attention from anything that might be said. Cone? they questioned, fearfully disappointed. Yea, f-f-f-for a day, Brick re- plied, giggling because he had tricked the girls. The four damsels cast him haughty glances, finished their ice cream. L ggggg T