Lincoln High School - Lincolnian Yearbook (Tacoma, WA)

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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

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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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22 THE LINCOLNIAN showered her with compliments. This was'the Anna they would cherish as a companion, the girl whom they had never known in truth. Introduc- tions, filling out of programs, conver- Anna stepped lightly off to the musi- cal rhythm she was more happy than words can tell. So was Elinor. So were the girls. So was Mrs. Walters. Like the little gray mouse, Anna had before been always timid, but nation, and punch filled up the brief now ,he had blossomed out into B period of intermission, and when brilliant flower. 0350 Fishing By ARGEWA DUNLAP UNSHINE, 5 wide lake Clear, smooth water, perfectly still, Blue in the middle, blue as tame violets, Fish elusive, graceful, just a hint of silver, A darkening of the water beneath a log. Stately trees, squatty trees, Happy green or sombre. A sloping bank just the place, You throw your line and wait, You cast again, again no bite. How inviting that bank! You sit down and gaze dreamily across the lakeg The sun is warm, and the fish are not biting. You succumb, and lie clown, Rod on the ground, your hands clasped under your head. How still it isl . How warm the sun on your elbow. Your eyes close. A bee buzzes near: never mind, he goes off. A leaf rustles, a voice sounds far off. The sun is hotter on your elbow. The world recedes, you are asleep. No fish today.