Nasson College - Nugget Yearbook (Springvale, ME)

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from her companions, she leaped the stone wall into the pasture .and headed for the river. Poor Aunt Hannah lost her footing in a juniper bush and was out of the race. Charlie pursued her over knolls and through spring runs as her course veered to the westward. He came upon her, a crumbled, torn and sobbing figure beside a barbed-wire fence. Tenderly he lifted her in his arms and brought her home. i Aunt Hannah bathed her wounds and put her to bed. Believing her to be asleep, she tip-toed from the room and came down to lunch. They ate in silence. Charlie was so sorry for them all, but it would have hurt them cruelly to have told them so. HI must go onthe four o'clock, he said. HI must be on duty at the lVIingo Cabins tomorrow nightf' Yes, I know, great-aunt Iona answered without knowing at all. Above them came a piercing scream. A body hurtled past the win- dow. It was Aunt Susan. She landed astride the cellar door. Trembling with fear Charlie followed his aunts to where the crushed form lay. Then he picked the unconscious woman up in his arms and carried her to her room. Qld Jem soon fetched the village doctor. He didn't stay long. Charlie opened the door for him, a mute plea in his eyes and an unspoken question on his lips. HShe'll live. The doctor laid his hand on the boy's shoulder, then went out to his car. Charlie brought his valise down from the woodshed-chamber-loft. He wandered around the lower part of the lonely old house. At last he went upstairs and knocked softly on Aunt Susanls door before entering. All three of them were there, the most pathetic family group that he had ever known. VVhen he could speak, he tried to convey in his voice the great love and sympathy he felt for them. Goodbye, dear aunts, he whispered. 'fC1oodbye, they answered quietly, and he knew they understood. ALTA TTXVOMBLEY. I 56 l

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G4 56016 Kldiif PRIZE CGNTEST WINNER During his aimless wanderings Charlie Liggum decided to stop off for the summer with his great-aunt Jona who lived on the old Liffgum estate in Jonesboro. The freight cho-choed to a standstill at theowater-tank south of the junction late at night, and Charlie proceeded to draw his lanky form and the rusty valise from the brake-rods. Uptown he found a ride on a delivery truck that was going to a neighboring farmhouse. The driver sat silent and grim during the long ride. VVhen they Hnally reached the Liggum place, he corked a thumb in the direction of a dark, old, rambling house set far back from the road amid towering trees. Up tharf' he said, 'iQueer folks, them . . . m.m.m.g.m . . . funny works goin' on . . . Hain't any relation, be ye ? Charlie shook his head, and the vehicle departed with an impatient roar. He looked at the threatening clouds scudding across the moon, at the lone light that glimmered through the trees, and with a troubled heart he picked up his valise and went up to his great-aunt's house. Old Jem, the gardener, let him in the back-kitchen door. He was informed that the ladies of the household had retired, but Old Jem offered to fix him a bed in the woodshed-chamber-loft. He followed the servant up endless, creaky stairs and was soon asleep on a corn-husk mattress. His great-aunt woke him next morning. After scolding him politely for not rousing her the night before, she ushered him to a breakfast of bacon and eggs. His hunger finally satisfied, he started up guiltily. Oh, where are my dear aunts?'l he cried. Great-aunt Jona shook her head sadly. Your aunt Susan is very ill,,' she answered gravely. Aunt Hannah is taking care of herf' A The door opened. Aunt Hannah came in leading Aunt Susan. Charlie didn't grasp the situation, but wisely kept his counsel and greeted them heartily. 'df you are going for a walk, he said, l'mayn't I come, too? The old lady would have protested but ceased speaking as Hannah turned away with a sob. Oh, why keep pretending everything is all right? It's no use. Tye can't keep it a secret any longer. He may as well comef' They started down a winding lane that led to the river. The bi1'dS were chirping here and there in the trees, and the sun was shining from a cloudless sky. Suddenly Aunt Susan let forth a breathless, eerie scfeam that came back in echoes from the rolling hills. Throwing herself oose fssl L,

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