Newport News High School - Anchor Yearbook (Newport News, VA)

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96 THE BEACON caring when he sank beneath the waves which closed over them. Now no more a spirit dances in the moonlight, no more a warrior travels endless paths in search of his lost one. Her spirit had only waited for his; together they have gone to their Maker. At night when the wind softly stirs, and the moon shines clear and bright, the pines murmur quietly, but for ever sadly the legend of Dancing Point. Hn Unexpected Christmas Gift Lillian Williamson June, ’22 “Peace on earth, good will toward men,” was the line that Dr. James Montgomery had been saying to him- self ever since he had heard the choir in the big church practicing the song that aftexmoon. Why he had picked out this particular line he could not tell, but he tried to figure it out as he sat alone in his den. A door was opened silently, a laugh floated in from the next room, as two soft arms were placed around his neck. An equally soft voice whispered in his ear, “You are late, Jim dear. Have you been working all this time?” James Montgomery stood up and faced his wife, Marie. There was something about this unaccustomed gentleness that he did not under- stand, nevertheless he answered: “I was called out unexpectedly to a bedside.” “I’m having a dinner party,” she said, as another laugh floated into the room in answer to the questioning look on his face. “I’m terribly dis- appointed that you didn’t come earlier.” “I was called to see Mrs. Harmon,” he answered, gazing to the fire. “She is seriously ill, there is no hope for her. What’s to become of the child is more than I can say, unless — ” he faltered, looking at her steadily. “Yes?” she asked, knowing what he indicated but fearing to hear it in plain English. “Sit down, Marie, please, I would like to discuss this with you.” “Besides not wanting to hear it, I haven’t the time,” she said as she obediently sat down. “It’s two weeks until Christmas, little Peggy Harmon’s mother is dying and Peggy will be left alone.” “Hasn’t she any relatives?” asked Marie as she rose again.” “No. We have a good home and no children. We could easily help her forget this great sorrow.” “Not this Christmas; I have too much to do,” she said selfishly. “I don’t know anything about children anyway,” she said as she closed the door after her. “I think Marie will see my way, some day, although it may be too late.” Montgomery said to himself. For several nights he preached the subject of “Peggy” to Marie, but was either rewarded the honor of finishing his dinner alone or asked if he ever had a change of thoughts. Marie felt that if she ever heard the name “Peggy” again, she would scream. Several days aftex - wards this fear of Marie was dx’owned in one far more terrible, for when Jim arrived she would have been only too glad to even hear him say, “Peggy.”

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THE BEACON 95 Tonight there was no use in danc- ing, for the moon had hidden itself like a frightened child, leaving the world cold and almost dark. Presently she came to the edge of the bank and gazed into the quiet stream that reflected her haggard form in its unsympathetic waters as if to mock her wretched existance. Then she turned to the pines as if to ask aid. She called twice but no one answered and no one came. The sound rang emptily through the for- est, the pines merely nodded to each other and sighed softly. Again she turned to the waters, standing there only for a moment be- fore she disappeared into the stream. Still every night when the sun went down and the moon was high her spirit danced there, only returning to its watery grave at the coming day. A warrior slowly paddled to shore in his canoe. This was the place he had come to look for. The night was like the one he held so sacred in mem- ory, when he had danced for the last time with a beautiful maiden, maybe she was there waiting for him. Just as he came to shore he fancied that he saw something rise out of the water and begin dancing a wild, fantastic dance. This wild thing was the spirit of the girl for whom he had searched so long. Weary as he was, he followed her as if drawn by some queer enchant- ment. On and on they danced until they came to the edge of the stream, she stood there for half a heart-beat clear against the sky, and then van- ished into the water. He followed her as in a dream, not

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THE BEACON 97 He had been traveling around in the rain all day and the illness which had been coming on for weeks finally overpowered him. It was feared that pneumonia had set in. For many days Marie sat up by his bedside soothing him. The crisis had not passed and she was frantic, until at last she realized what would save him. Christmas morning dawned with Marie sitting by his bedside. The crisis had passed and Jim was weak but recovering. “Peace on earth, good will toward men,” sang - the choir in the big church. Jim opened his eyes to his own world and said: “Then you are the angel who has been drawing me back when I wanted so much to be still forever. It seemed such a — ” He stopped not so much from weak- ness, but because a door was opened silently. There was no laugh this time, only a childish gurgle, as two soft arms encircled his neck and an equally soft voice exclaimed, “my new Daddy!” Cucky Children (A Play in One Act) Frances Gray June, ’22 PERSONS The Toy Store Santa Claus. The Nurse. Her Three Charges. The Little Girl. The Little Boy. Time: Christmas Eve. Scene: In front of a toy shop. The Store Santa Claus paces up and down to keep warm. (Enter the Nurse with three charges.) Santa Claus — Well, well, good afternoon to you all! You’ve come down to tell me what to put in your stockings, haven’t you ? First Charge (stepping forward, and extending his hand) — Howd’y do, Mr. Santy Claus. Santa Claus — Hello, Son, what do you want for Christmas ? First Charge — I don’t know yet. I want a soldier suit and an air rifle and a ’leetrie train a whole lot of candy an’ nuts an’ things and — I don’t know what else! Santa Claus — I’ll tell you what, little man! You first go and look in that window and tell me when you see what you want! First Charge — All right. (The other two children hang back shyly) Santa Claus — Come, my dears, aren’t you going to tell me what to bring you ? (Nurse, pushing them.) Go on and tell him what you want, now. Go on and tell him! (They still hang back.) Santa Claus — What? You’re not going to tell me howdy? Why, my feelings will be hurt if you don’t shake hands with me! Nurse — Go on! Don’t be naughty! Tell