Lincoln High School - Lincolnian Yearbook (Tacoma, WA)

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20 THE LINCOLNIAN and, realizing her timidity, aided her in overcoming it. . Boys, Anna ventured, let's get the fire started and boil some water. Buddy, you and Robert gather the chips, and Harry will get the water from the spring. The doctor helped in erecting a device from which the pail was sus- pended, and made the fire. ln an- other minute the little blazes circled into the air. Anna spread a white cloth upon the ground and graced it with tempting eatables. Then when the tea was made the group of chil- dren, Anna and the doctor seated themselves on the grass to partake of the lunch. And even Danny. de- spite the fact that he had not caught the other fish, came in answer to the luncheon call. ' Late afternoon found the picnick- ers homeward bound. Dick Richards on that walk gradually saw and felt that in Anna he had found a girl with whom he might speak freely about the thoughts he loved, for she, too,'loved'nature's fair beauties. The sweet and natural way Anna had with each child that ran to her with some fiower or some grievance impressed him deeply. The youngsters, some of them tired, but all happy, parted in front of Anna's gate. Not one neglected to express his childish pleasure and the hope of another picnic soon. Here at the gate Dick met Anna's mother. Although Mrs. Walters did not resemble his mother in stature or appearance, Dick recognized in her the same charm his mother had possessed-the spirit of motherliness. Dick as he left the Walters home knew that he had met a real friend, one of whose acquaintance he night be proud. A few evenings later an excited and unusual Anna darted into Eli- nor's home. So different and full of life she was, compared with what even she, her chum, had been accus- tomed to seeing her, that Elinor felt powerless for a moment. But it was only for a moment. Joy over this change in Anna immediately took the place of surprise ,and quickly an eagerness to know the cause fol- lowed. Elinorl Oh, Elinor! burst -out Anna. Something wonderful has happened! What is it? breathed Elinor. l am going to the dance. Yes, Elinor put in, coming closer. And who do you suppose is going to take me? who do you think? Anna was vitalized all thru her body. Oh, tell me, quick. Don't keep me guessing, her chum pleaded eagerly. Doctor Richards! Words did not come to Elinor to express her feeling. If they had, she probably would not have used them. Her eyes dilated, her smile became more radiant and she took Anna in her arms. Oh, Anna, you don't know how glad l am. Quickly Anna related the meeting in the woods to Elinor, the picnic, and the walk home. Then he came this afternoon to call, and-asked me to go to the club dance, she explained, and added has- tily, Oh, we'll have to hurry and get my outfit made. The days before the event num- bered five. ln those few days were crowded such preparations that the dressmaker, Anna's mother, and the two girls were kept busy until the night of the dance. The rustic ballroom decorated with bluebells and greenery, a-glimmer with the beautiful gowns of the girls and women, and lighted by bright- hued paper lanterns, presented a pic-

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THE LINCOLNIAN I9 through more trees: into flowers of brilliant hues, and lastly into a sea of gold, the sky. The mist had now nearly all dispersed and the sunbeams filtering thru the green verdure form- ed golden paths which seemed to lead to heaven. ln and out among the trees, birds circled and twittered, ad- ding glorious life to the scene. How wonderful this magnificence of nature was to Dick Richards! How he wanted to have someone with him to enjoy this beauty! lf only he had his mother to talk to! Girls he had known, but with none had he felt the freedom of expressing his innermost and deeper feelings, for he had a mortal fear of being laughed at. Now he felt lonely and he wanted above everything else a friend. Breaking away from his reverie he took out his pocketknife and cut a twig from a tree, to whittle. Slowly he mean- dered over the road, stopping at in- tervals to look longer at the varying woodland scenes or to watch, per- haps, a woodpecker drill holes in a tree. Once when Dick stopped he thought he heard voices singing. He listened, but he believed it must be some sound his fancy had created, so he wandered on a little farther. More distinctly the voices now' sounded, followed by faint echoes. These were human tones, not fanciful. Thru the trees he saw a pathway leading to a sunlit, open plot: perhaps this was the direction from which they came. Dick, curious, followed the path that, taking him to the light, climbed to a knoll which looked off into a radiant, moss-covered valley. ln that little valley fairies were dancing around their queen and paying her homage with songs. This thought Hashed thru Dick's mind: then he saw a cir- cle of merry children and a young girl, her dark, heavy hair blown by the breeze, dancing in the most grace- ful fashion he had ever seen, the dance of the fairies. At Hrst he did not move, but silently, as if held by magic, he watched the girl. Then quietly and unnoticed he descended the hill and as the girl dropped down onto the grass with the children he expressed his appreciation by a hearty handclap. The children look- ed from the stranger to the girl and back to the stranger again in mute bewilderment. The girl was surprised and with a quick, nervous movement twisted up her hair into a loose knot. My, but that was a beautiful dance, little girl. l hope l have not intruded, but l would appreciate an invitation to this party of yours. , Although the girl did not know this stranger, his sincerity of manner won her confidence in him. Why, we should like to have you, most certainly. l- she began, but was interrupted by a child's voice. Running toward her was a small girl carrying a fish in one hand ,and a pole in the other. Oh, Anna! l gotta fish! l gotta fish! yelled the girl. lt was Patsy Morrison, the tomboy. The children clustered about Patsy as she held her prize aloft. Danny, he caught three, but he says he won't come till he gets an- other and- At this point Patsy noticed that the party had grown since she was present last, and immediately she rec- ognized its new member. Why, hullo, Dic. Richards! l didn't know you was comin'. When did you get here? The name struck Anna speechless. Fortunately Patsy aided her for the moment by entering into the conver- sation with her prattle about the fish. Now, being forced to overcome her shyness, Anna soon became an inter- esting hostess. Dr. Richards noticed the slight Hush come over her face

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THE LINCOLNIAN W 2l turesquei scene. Here again was the same crowd of girls, this time with their boy escorts. They had collect- ed and were engaged in a mile-a- minute chatter when Elinor entered with Bud Fisher. Immediately the conversation turned to her, but at this moment the orchestra began a catchy rhythm which set the dance in motion. Before Tot Meredith be- gan, however, she managed to whis- per in Elinor's ear: .. . . .. Your dress is one winner. At the end of the first number Christie Thompson remarked to Eli- nor: nl see Alice Mathew didn't bring her friend, the Doctor. lt looks as if he isn't'coming. said Edith Locke, because all the girls in town seem to be here al- ready. An amused twinkle lit up Elinor's eyes. The second selection soon started the whirl of dancers gliding over the Hoor. Presently a newly-arrived couple swung into step and mingled with the crowd. Several people nodded to them and then watched them quizzi- cally. But when Christie Thompson caught a glimpse of them she recog- nized one and was mystified at the other. There's Doctor Richards, she said, but who is that girl with him? She could not see distinctly under the dim lights any distinguishing fea- ture in the doctor's partner. But Christie did see that she was a most capable dancer. ln another corner of the ballroom Edith Locke also rested her wonder- ing eyes curiously on the same cou- ple. Say, Ran. look at that fellow dancing with a girl in a yellowish colored dress, Edith mentioned to her partner. Can you see them? They are just passing the main door- way. Who are they? ' Search me. He looks a little fa- miliar, but l don't think l have seen her before. Randall Nicholson re- plied. Oh, she drawled out, I-het it's Doctor Richards. That's just who it is. But who in the world is that with him? And at this moment Tot Meredith stepped on her partner's feet and embarrassed him still more by caus- ing a collision with a dignified old couple who were trying to navigate gracefully ot the punch bowl. Jack, she gulped, and ,then in order to avoid being conspicuous she struggled to get in step again. What is ,the matter? the boy questioned. jack, she said, did you see what l saw? Oh, quit your 'kiddingf Tot. What did you see now? Was-that Doc. Richards and Anna Walters who just swung by? Tot asked incredulously. Where? Jack Porter looked around in startled surprise. Here, as the music of the second selection ended, Mary Strathmore caught Tot by the arm. Did you see Anna with the Doc- tor? she excitedly asked. lt was she, was it? Why, l was so surprised. l step- ped in all directions. Eight young people from several different parts of the hall looked eagerly, as the crowd separated, in search for the doctor and Anna. Fi- nally they saw them. They were standing with Elinor and Bud and gaily talking. What a changed and beautiful girl Anna was, radiantly de- lightful in her new gown! She felt a little shy at first, but she had no time to think of this as the group of happy girls bore down upon her and