Petersburg High School - Missile Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

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THE MISSILE. 15 to-nature painting, “Home.” Consequently, she was su- premely happy. Louise Montgomery had invited her to spend a week with her in New York before returning to Oakland; and as she had worked hard, she felt that she could conscientiously enjoy this visit. Louise had been so good to her when she came, and remained her friend during their four years’ course in art together. She had spoken to her often of her brother and his chum Phil., and on the day before leaving for home she said, as she pleaded with Mercer to persude her to come. Oh, etc. “Oh, Mercer, I am so anxious for you to meet my bro- ther, and his friend especially. You must come, for they will be there in a few days.” Two days later found Mercer in Louise’s elegant home. Mrs. Montgomery planned a little dinner for Mercer and Louise on the night of their arrival, for then Mercer might meet many people, as well as Robert Montgomery and Phil. “Now put on that lovely pale blue crepe-de-chine dress, which shows your delicate color and glorious eyes to per- fection, for remember you must look your best to meet so many people to-night, especially Phil.; he’s so good- looking;” said Louise to Mercer. Mercer could not understand why every one was anx- ious for her to meet this Phil. He must be very popu- lar in New York, and extremely pleasant. Somehow I cannot help from thinking I know him, she mused. And then she thought of a Phillip Hartley, who was good- looking too, whom she met in such an extraordinary way, but whom she had not seen since. “I owe my whole life to his father, nay rather to him,” she whispered, “for it could not have happened without him.” But strange to

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14 THE MISSILE. Phillip could not persuade Mercer to allow him to take her to his father then. She left him, taking a short cut through the woods to her cottage. Phillip walked slowly and thoughtfully home, where he met his father at the gate. “My son, what has happened to you? Your forehead has been cut.” Mr. Hartley asked in an anxious voice. “Oh, Father, I am all right now, for one of the loveliest girls I have ever laid eyes upon brought me to life. I was shaken up a bit. I’ll admit; but how could a fellow not get well at once when doctored by such a girl ? You must meet her, Father.” After much questioning, Mr. Hartley finally understood that both he and his son were greatly indebted to a fair young lady, the daughter of one of his school chums, he thought, for her kindness to his son. He also understood that this young lady wished to become an artist, but lack- ed the necessary means for culture. Phillip was anxious to send her to school; but as he fully realized she would never go at his expense, he was anxious for his father to visit Mr. Craighton and induce him to allow Mr. Hartley to educate Mercer. “Of course, I do not want her to know that I am going to bear the expense. Father, but I should never be happy unless I could afford her that great joy,” Phillip had said. And so it happened that the trees were whispering again on a September day just two months later, for Mer- cer Craighton was leaving the village on that day to take a course in art in New York. Mercer’s day of success had come. She had won the first prize at the Art Exhibition for her simple but true-

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1 « THE MISSILE. say not once did she think of Phil, and Phillip being the same man. The dancing was gaily going on. Every one was in the livel iest of spirits. Mercer was having a delightful time talking to a funny little Frenchman out on the piazza- She had danced until she felt quite tired; so she gladly substituted for the last dance a seat on the piazza, where the moonbeams spread softly, lighting it up. Soon she heard the voice of Louise near her: “Phil., here is Mercer, of whom I have spoken so often to you and Brother in my letters. I want to introduce you to her.” Mercer turned around and met the staring gaze of Phillip Hartley. “You!” she exclaimed in a joyful, surprised tone. “I don’t understand; but I felt I knew Robert’s friend, and it really has turned out that I do.” “Why didn’t you tell me you knew each other?” Lou- ise cried. “Come, Mr. Lovelace, here is that special vari- ety of rose Mother has just been fortunate enough to se- cure for her garden. This one just picked is a beauty.” So Louise carried Mercer’s little French acquaintance to examine the rose. Then Phillip told Mercer how he knew the charming friend Louise had to introduce to him, how interested he had been in her progress as an artist, and how happy her final success had made him. “You know I can never forget our meeting and how good you were to me. I am going back to your home with you when you go, for I want to visit the spot of our meeting, indeed I should like to remain in Oakland this whole summer, for there my heart is. May I?”