Mary Baldwin College - Bluestocking Yearbook (Staunton, VA)

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answered with her own blood, but she shows not her anguish except by her glorified coun- tenance, as all the purity, earnestness and religion of her short life seem to meet in those flames and to shed a kindly radiance over the motley crowd. Even while tliev gaze some relent, ex- claiming, Truly she was sent of God, why have we destroyed her? Why, indeed ? Except in order that she might be the martyr to her religion, her country, and her kind, this warlike gentle Maid of Orleans. Margaret Hartman Kabi.k.

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ing in the sun, and her consecrated sword hanging by her side, while her holy banner floats above her head. Her long hair streams in the breeze and her blue eyes sparkle with energy, as she gives her commands with a self-respecting, yet withal a modest air. Soon all is ready for the attack. Like Henry of Navarre, in years to come, she urges her men on with the words, ' Follow the white plume in ray helmet till it leads you to vic- tory. On she rushes through the thick of the fray, with missiles flying about her in all directions. See the besiegers are beaten back. But, no, — it is onlv for a moment. She orders a ladder to be raised ; it is brought, but the men refuse to mount. What matter ? She is as agile as any. There she goes, her white plume nodding defiantly to the crowds below. Her soldiers, inspired by the sight, hasten to follow her. Ladders are put all along the wall and mounted, in spite of the desperate efforts of the enemy to prevent their gaining such a vantage ground. But a confused mass suddenly gathers to one spot. The French will flee — the wounds of their leaders cause them to believe that she has been bewitched by the Evil One in order to lead them to destruction. She hears their murmurs and understands the cause and then with one supreme effort stands upright. With the struggle strength seems to come, and after a short prayer for support she is again at the front. Nothing could have been more convincing, if she had been restored to them from the arms of death, surely God must be for them, and if so, what could avail against them ? A violent volley from the walls, then all is quiet ; their ammunition is exhausted. But help is at hand for the beleaguered city ; an- other short struggle, and the English are beaten back. A loud shout goes up to heaven from throats parched from both hunger and powder. Hurrah for the Maid of Orleans ! ,: III. A great crowd is assembling in the market place at Rouen. What can be the excitement ? Ecclesiastic jostles soldier in his wild eagerness to force his way to the front, and when he reaches it, what a sight meets his eyes ! A young girl bound to a stake, her hands clasped, and her eyes raised to heaven in earnest supplication. As the flames begin to play around her, how much does the agonized look of this face resemble the one we saw but a short while ago, pleading for her country and its salvation. Her prayer is being

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Officers of the Literary Society. First Term. Second Term. PRESIDENT : JESSIE LEACHK HAWKS. VICE PRESIDENT : ELSIE DOUGLAS HAMILTON. RECORDING SECRETARY : FLORENCE CORNELL KALKHOFF. CORRESPONDING SECRETARY : ELIZABETH OGLE TREASURER : ALBHRTIS WTLKINS. ASSISTANT TREASURER I CECILIA WOODS. PRESIDENT : NORA BLANTDING FRASER. VICE PRESIDENT : ELIZABETH STOREY. RECORDING SECRETARY : BIRDIE B McCUTCHEON. CORRESPONDING SECRETARY : REBECCA B. GILKESON. TREASURER : ADDIE HORTON. ASSISTANT TREASURER : HELEN MAR SCOTT. i 7 BS ? 7