Mechanic Arts High School - M Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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10 'l' H E M JUNE, 1925 The next night was the true twin of the first, another of nature's miracles! On this night, as before, Dame Nature was mistress. All her wiles had been used to make the night wonderful, to madden poor mortals. When the wind with its sigh- ing had been quieted and the stars had taken their places, the moon beamed with satisfac- tion. The stage was set for Act ll. The car which Jack had driven on the night before and which his brother, Jim, now drove, had silently followed the same road as before, like a horse grown used to one trail. Kate was waiting on the lawn when Jim leaped out with a jovial- l-lello, Kate. Hello, Jack, Kate replied. Soon they were moving swiftly along a tree-lined avenue-cooled by fragrant coun- try breezes. When they seemed to have left the heart and congestion of the city the speed changed to a slow glide-an almost imper- ceptible motion. This is great, Kate said. lsn't the sound of the wind through the trees pleas- ant? Jim heard and did not hear. How musical! he said, commenting on her voice. The little stars winked at them between the trees. The stars are bright tonight, she said. Yes, they are quite as beautiful as last night. Ah, was Jim's half spoken reaction to Kate's lovely eyes. How bright the moon is. lt almost seems to set the trees on fire, Kate went on. Yes-yes, Jim burst out entranced. The car narrowly missed one of those pillar-like trees. They talked on, about the night, about each other. When there no longer seemed any good reason for waiting Jim got out with much trepidation: Kate, will you- the words stuck in his throat -Mar-go to the Senior Ball with me? She looked at him and asked: Didn't l tell you this morning that l would? Oh, came from Jim. Why did you ask me again? Jim's recovery was quick. The setting seemed so appropriate, he said. This seemed to satisfy her. They returned home happily, Jim elated, though puzzled, by his success, and Kate glorying in the night. Glancing toward the moon as he turned to go home, Jim saw, or thought he saw it laughing at him. Jack was waiting when Jim reached home. You're a little early tonight, he com- mented. Oh am I? l hadn't noticed. But listen! Kate promised to go to the Senior Ball with me! Jim replied, proudly. To go to the ball with you, Jack re- peated as if he hadn't understood. 'ATO go to the ball with you! this time wrathfully with complete understanding. Why she has promised to go with me. Well, what of it? Jim asked, quietly. You've cheated me, that's what, Jack burst out angrily, and you'l1 fight me for it. 'AWith pleasure, Jim replied politely- ln the morning. And then as an after- thought, Name your weapons. Jim made no answer other than a growl to this bit of intended pleasantry. fs: :sf :sf wk :lc The following morning, which by its grayness promised an unpleasant day, found two disgusted youths on the usual battle ground-a flat plot of ground rather too close to a public road. They fought as only brothers can-without rule or reason. What Jack hoped to gain by fighting is doubtful. Perhaps he wished to keep Jim from the party. lf so, he was succeeding quite admir- ably, for Jim was torn and bleeding. Each fought with diliiculty now because of half- closed eyes. The light was in its last round when over the hill there came the beat of hoofs. So intent were they on their light, that neither noticed the approach until the rider reined in. They turned as one, and saw before them on a spirited horse their mutual friend, Kate. As one they stepped forward, each to de- mand his rights. But Kate spoke not a word. She merely looked at them-with surprise at first-then with scorn. With a gesture almost royal she disdained them completely. Rising in her stirrups, she turned and called to a companon, who had followed at some distance, 'Catch me, Fred! With that she was off-vanishing quickly in a cloud of dust,

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JUNE, 1925 T H E M 9 VV1I'1 I'Ol1lJl9S By ADOLPH JOHNSON It was night-a June night let us say. The moon beamed benignly down on the world below and occasionally seemed to wink roguishly at some very delectable scene. The stars, never brighter, danced like fire- flies over a still brook. The wind sighed a would-that-I-were-young-again sigh. And the night was still. Quietly up the street came an automobile creeping silently Clike one of those ships that pass in the nightj. lt stopped in the shadow, and a youth, banjo-armed, leaped out and took a position under a window. A light song of love, free and happy words intermingled with the strumming on the banjo arose and filled the night. The singer, a youth, stood silhouetted against the dull grey of the house-a figure which ex- pressed youth and freedom and happiness in its every line and movement. The song, spontaneous until now, grew weaker. Moment by moment it faded. Sud- denly it stopped entirely. The serenader dropped his banjo in despair. He stepped back so that he could look into the window above, and in a voice discordant in such a beautiful setting, cried out plaintively: Aw come on down, Kate. l dowanna wait all night. A tantalizing laugh answered him. I wondered how long you'd last? Kate laughed. 'Tll be down in a minute, Jack. Jack threw himself in the grass in disgust. Girls--and twin brothers-. Jim, his twin brother, was to have the car on the next night, and now Kate-he contemplated the window with mingled anger and joy--was wasting this night for him. Women he con- cluded, sagely chewing a bit of grass-and twin brothers-were the bane of his exist- ence. Contrary to all the rules which govern feminine actions Kate soon appeared. Within two hours Jack and Kate were seated in that big silent car, gliding slowly along the banks of a still, cool lake. For a time neither spoke. Then Kate, just like a woman, broke the almost sacred silence. Jack was too awed to speak. lsn't the night wonderfull lt's great to be alive. And all Jack could answer was a long, Ah-h-hi How bright the stars are? Wonderfull Jack gasped, intent on her starry, eyes. Just look at that reflection in the water! lVlarvelousl answered Jack now glory- ing in the beauty of her gleaming black hair. See how happy the moon looks. fThe moon winked at thisl. Isn't the night just too wonderful for words? A'You're right, Jack exclaimed, now too thrilled to contain himself- You are beau- tiful-just too beautiful for words. They talked on and on, for who can re- sist the charm of a June night? Jack couldn't. Overcome by Kate's beauty and by the irresistible spell of the night and of the June moon, he burst out with much feel- ing: Kate-I-I-lo-will you go to the Senior Ball with me? He sighed inaudibly. He had done the deed and now his fate Clt meant life to himj was in the hands of the gods. Would she never answer. Why had the moon encouraged him? Kate thought-appeared to think-for some years. Once she looked at Jack. The slowly moving machine veered sharply. Kate turned to hide a smile. Finally, after an eternity or two, she spoke very deliberately. Jack -CHis name was music on her lipsj-'Tll tell you --and then was a long pause- TomorrowI she Hnished dramatic- ally. Jack looked as if she had said In ten years. Still he took it remarkably well. The stars were sinking, when with a prayer in his heart he left Kate at her door. The moon, now a little pale, still smiled, a little idiotically, Jack thought. S

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JUNE, 1925 T H E :AMN The Precipice By NEIL BoARDMAN On the Island of Cheng, just off the coast of China, there is a thousand-foot cliff, mak- ing a sheer drop from a smooth and spacious tableland, to the snarling sea below. On this tableland, which, like the rest of the island, belongs to the Emperor, the foremost troops of His Majesty's army train, So famous are these troops for their bravery, virtue, and obedience, that they have be- come an institution of themselves in China, and it is the ambition of every young soldier in the empire to some day become one of them. It is happened that a brave but cunning oflicer named Wo Lo, who led a body a mainlanders, was appointed Commander of the Island of Meng. He had double cause to rejoice. Not only was he highly honored by the appointment, but he now felt that the father of the maid of his choice would consent to their mar- riage, overruling a wealthy but titleless rival. But the father had a strain of Solomon in him, and he invited the two contestants for his daughter's hand to visit him on the tenth of April-the day of Wo I.o's departure for Meng. Upon arriving at the father's house on the appointed day, the two rivals found many people present, clad in their brightest attire. Welcome, Wo Lo, and welcomey Jo Sing, said the senior, your wedding guests are here: here is the bride, for the winner, and here is a glass of the best Wine in China for the loser. Come, let us choose between you. The two men stood forth. Wo Lo, newly appointed Commander of the Island of Meng, and descendant of the great prince Wu Kura, bowed low to the father. Then he stood still, his head high, his small eyes gleaming, his thin, pale lips drawn into a straight line, and his whole body motionless. Jo Sing, private in Wo Lo's erstwhile troops, and son of a wealthy merchant, also bowed low to the father, and then he stood by, trembling and hopeful. We will concede victory by points, be- gan his reverence, now, Wo Lo, speak: What right have you to claim my daughter's hand? I love her,- began Wo Lo, the cun- ning in his voice replaced with sincerity. 'iOne point, said the father. MI am of noble birth. Two points, said the father. I am now commander of the great troops of Meng! Three excellent points! Is that all? 'AThat is all, sir. 'ANow Jo Sing, let us hear from you. I love your daughter, began the young private. One point. I am wealthy. 'A'Two points. Jo Sing blushed under his yellow skin, and glanced at the bride-to-be. With her eyes she urged him on, She loves mel Wo Lo bit his lip, and his face darkened. His reverence gazed at his daughter, and he knew that the words were true. That, was the reply, is worth two points of itself. You have four points, Jo Sing: let me embrace you as my son. Here, Wo Lo, drink this glass of wineY .Io Sing smiled, and the bride smiled, and all the guests smiled. But Wo Lo did not smile. He dashed the glass to the floor, and without a word, departed. Upon arriving at Meng, the first thing that greeted Wo Lo's eyes was the stunning sight of the Meng troops in motion. Almost as numerous as the sands on the beach, the men moved before him, a mighty sea of mili- tary perfection. His eyes blazed with pride. These men were his! He turned to Lee Ka- kokaki, the resigning commander, and said, I believe these men would end their lives if so commanded! They have done so in the past: but the present emperor forbids the making of any such a test. Wo Lo was silent for a moment. Then again the narrow eyes grew narrower, and the thin lips parted, showing the yellow teeth beneath.