Pennell Institute - Whirlpool Yearbook (Gray, ME)

Page 12 text:

10 THE clanked as it was let down across the moat. The sound of dogs’ barking was mingled with the tramp of horses’ feet as the knights were preparing for a morning hunt. The guards were stationed in their places about the castle. Chapter IT A Skeleton in the Family Closet As the knights rode away to the hunt one lone knight rode by himself in a different direction. He had his visor pulled down so closely about his face that he could not be recognized. He carried a sack which was fastened to the pommel of his saddle. Within the castle King Philip sat on his throne surrounded by guards. There was a look on his face which would have disturbed anyone unac- quainted with his character. Marcel, a son of St. Bernard, one of the knights, was gazing from a castle window. He saw a lone knight disap- pear into the woods. Many a time had he watched this figure vanish. He began to wonder what could be the meaning of it. Finally he determined to follow this strange figure the next time he rode away. On the following morning, Marcel saddled his horse preparatory for a ride. Watching from the window as usual. he saw the strange knight ride into the forest. He quickly went to the stable, mounted his horse, and rode away in the same direction. As it was about an hour after sun- rise, the sun was glimmering through the forest casting long shadows which grew shorter and shorter as the sun PENNELL WHIRLPOOL neared the zenith. All about were the sounds of birds and the trickling of brooks. The horse’s path was paved with stretches of green grass, broken now and then by patches of pine spills. As Marcel rode on through the beau- tiful forest, it seemed that nothing but peace could reign over the land. Yet, why was this strange knight acting in this manner? Where would this path lead him? How could this knight be leaving the castle without the other knights learning of his presence? Chapter ITI A Clandestine Mecting Suddenly his thoughts were broken by the halting of his horse. Looking ahead he found that he was facing a rough country made up of thickets and cliffs. He dismounted to look for the tracks of the pursued knight. Pres- ently a horse neighed. Looking through the trees, he spied a horse hitched in a thicket. Quickly he led his own horse back a short distance. making him walk on stones as much as possible so he wouldn't be traced. Going up to where the other horse was hitched, he found a path leading up over the cliffs. After following this path for a short distance, it seemed to end abruptly. When Marcel stopped to look around, he heard Where were thev coming from? The voices did not sound distant but muffled. Putting his ear to the ground, he found the were coming from below. One of the men was saying: voices. sounds “There is to be only one more mect- ing. We must decide what is to be

Page 11 text:

THE so easily killed that the fun of the sport is lost. It is the business men of New York to be in as possible for good hunting ground as can be found anywhere, within forty-eight hours’ travel from his office. The Rangeley, and Aroostook, also the Kineo lines. carry the hunter into the heart of the big game country. Maine fishing lures the great anglers of the country to its lakes and streams every year. Wise protective laws pre- vent the fish from being exterminated or their number from being appreci- ably reduced. so that the sport does rot suffer as the number of anglers increase. Some of the finest cottages and camps in the state are occupied only during the best of the fishing sea- The fish and game resources of the state are among the greatest assets, from the standard point of the business man who caters to tourist guests. In addition to the attractions of fishing, hunting and bathing beaches, Maine has remarkable scenery. Two of the most noted places are Mount Desert Island and the Mount Katahdin Region. Mount Desert Island, on which is Lafayette National Park, is unique in that it combines the scenic beauty of mountains, lakes, sea and estuary. It is true that Mount Katahdin is not the largest peak in New England but it is, however, the most imposing peak east of the Rockies. The Indians recognized this fact when they named it Kette-Adene, the preeminent. Ka- tahdin sufficiently dominated the hori- zon to command a view extending from the Canadian border on the north son. PENNELL WHIRLPOOL 9 to Mount Desert Island on the south. Fine as the view is from the summit, Winthrop he said, Katahdin's self is finer than what Ka- tahdin Mount Katahdin is a peak whose greatness has not as vet been fully discovered. Although our own Pine Tree State has not the geysers of the Yellowstone, the lofty cliffs of the Yosemite Valley or the sublime depths of the Grand Canyon, yet in Maine. there are vast expanses of forests. numerous beaches, thousands of sparkling lakes and streams, and rocky, picturesque, moun- tainous landscape. Thus Maine de- serves the title of “The Nation's Play- ground . was right when sees . ELINOR CHIPMAN, 33. IN DAYS OF KINGS Chapter I The Castle Awakens It was one of those mornings typical of France. The sun was peeping over the horizon making the walls of King Philip’s castle sparkle like diamonds. The green lawn was dotted with dan- delions and birds were twittering in the nearby trees. The water in the moat was winding along its course. Within the castle could be heard the sound of clanging arms as they were being donned by the knights. Upon the hearth a large fire was blazing with the odor of pine pitch from the burrs used in kindling the fire. The smell of boiling meat pervaded the air. The King and the Queen were mov- ing slowly toward the throne, followed by their attendants. The draw bridge

Page 13 text:

THE done. King Philip must be dethr oned at once. He is not a worthy king and should not sit on the throne. Have all the men together this afternoon. I will make the arrangements for our last meeting.” Chapter IV A Two-Horned Dilemma What shall I do?” thought Marcel. “I must tell the king about this.” He rose to go but bent his ear to the ground again as another voice broke in on the conversation. How natural that voice sounded! Could it be—? Yes, it was his father. It seemed im- possible that Saint Bernard, a noble knight, should stoop to such an act as this. What should Marcel do now? How could he remain loyal to the King and let this plot against his life be go- ing оп? On the other hand, how could he betray his father. He must either be disloyal to the King, or betray his father. How could his father who had taught him loyalty above all else be involved in such a lowly act? As he stood thus thinking. one of the stones near his feet began to move. Quickly he darted out of sight behind a rock. As he watched, a tall knight appeared, carefully replaced the stone and, after looking carefully around, went to his horse. After the knight had disappeared, Marcel went to his horse, mounted and rode thoughtfully back to the castle. Having reached the castle, he entered a room which was not fre- quently used. No one seemed to know what the room was for or why it was PENNELL WHIRLPOOL 11 used. This was what Marcel was wondering as he gazed about the room. The floor was made of beautiful marble. There were but few furnish- ings, and the walls were covered with draperies. As Marcel was wondering what he should do, he wandered about the room examining the draperies. Be- hind one of the draperies in a corner of the room, was a lever fastened to the wall. He pulled on it. Snap! A square of marble floor was lifted from its place in the center of the room. Marcel went to the center to examine the trap door. Underneath the floor was a large spring which was released at the touch of the lever. The spring pushed up the scuttle which was fitted so perfectly that it aroused no suspicion. There was a stairway leading down into a dungeon. Marcel descended the stairs. On reaching the bottom, the first thing that met his eves was a guillotine with its torturing knives. As he looked about the gloomy dungeon he saw the form of a man in the far corner. He was pale and thin from lack of food and sunlight. Marcel approached him slowly. After gazing at him a mo- ment, in astonishment he asked: “Who are you that you should be in this deserted place? “Т am the true King Philip of France , replied the prisoner. You are the King Philip? said Marcel, drawing back in amazement. Yes , replied the other, I am the true King Philip of France . But who sits upon the throne, now. pretending to be King Philip?