Petersburg High School - Missile Yearbook (Petersburg, VA)

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71- L ultant. She was nicer than she'd ever been to Clint and-well, then we got married. I soon found that she could never take your place and that I really didn't love her. There was nothing I could do, but I truly paid for my sins. I thought about you almost constantly until my heart nearly burned out. Then last week when-our son came to my house and I found that we had a son and that you'd been true to me, oh, Florence, I could hardly bear it all ! Florence had spoken impetuously, Don't, don't. It's all behind us now. We've got the best of our lives ahead of us. The past doesn't matter. No, he had said sadly, my life is nearly over. I am dying and as a dying man I beg you, Florence, to-to forgive me. No, no, you can't die, she had cried. It wouldn't be fair. Not when I've just gotten you back ! Please, Florence, he had been firm, it would hurt you more if I lived. Please, Florence, say that you'll forgive me. I know it's much, much more than I deserve, but please say it. Why-why, yes, yes, I do forgive you, Wallace, I do. She had felt dazed. He had smiled a wan smile. Thank you, my dearest. Then he had closed his eyes and had been very still. Panic had struck at Florence's heart. She had left him, half running, half stumbling, down the corridor. She had been white and trembling when she found the nurse and had blurted forth almost unintelligible phrases. However, the nurse understood. They had put her in a White room and had given her bitter things to drink. Finally they had told her that he was dead. She hadn't cried, for she knew then that it was best he had died. All this had happened a few hours ago, yet it seemed like an eternity. She wondered, dully, if Martha knew about her. Florence thought not, and she knew that Martha would never know from her. I wonder if I can go to see my child now, she thought as she laid the paper down on the table. Page fourteen THE MISSILE

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Wallace ! she has gasped. Oh, my God l She had felt brokeng she was numb and bewildered. Yes, Florence, it is I, he had said. He, too, was broken. She could see that he had had a terrible battle with himself. Suddenly, she had felt sorry for him, knowing that she still loved him. Swiftly she had gone to him and taken him in her arms. No, Florence, dear, you musn't. Not-not until I've told you what -what-that is, how rotten I've been to you, he had said painfully. It doesn't matter, darling, she had said passionately. I love you anyhow. No, no, he had insisted. I must tell you. Please, dearest. Don't -don't interrupt me. It-will be-easier if you don't. She had promised and he had begun weakly. When I left you in Norfolk that summer, I was so happy. Every- thing was bright and I was the proudest man on earth. Then when I got aboard, the-the admiral's daughter, Martha, was there and-and she had the admiral invite Clint and me to dinner. She was very charming and beautiful and had taken a shine to Clint and, he had winced, I took a shine to her. I was sure I loved her and was ready to do almost anything to get her. Oh, Florence, he broke off, I've been such a fool. Go on, dearest, she had said caressing his forehead tenderly though her heart was breaking. Well, to make a long, bitter story short, the day that the admiral was threatened by that spy- he had found it hard to continue. And somehow you changed places with Clinton? she had asked. She had felt stronger then. Yes, he had said with difficulty, when I came to, they were calling me Kirby. Somehow, in the explosion, all of our identifications got mixed. I-I was so infatuated with Martha that I decided to let it go at that. Clint, poor fellow, was dead. I knew that you would get the war insurance and that-that you'd probably soon forget me, and-and get married again or-or something, he had ended lamely. He had paused exhausted. She had said nothing but had held him closer, knowing that she loved him and yet knowing that she ought to hate him. Finally he had begun again, My nose was broken and with the cuts on my face, I looked very much like Clint. Everyone thought I was he. When I got back to port and I found Martha waiting for Clint, I was ex- THE MISSILE Page thirteen

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Shadows These I Have Loved By Nellie Burt Wr ght 'Twas yesterday we sawfthe shadows fall, With smiling lips and strangely raptured souls Together We adored the dusty pall Of twilight's ashes, spilled from glowing coals. We gazed bewildered on the starry face Of silent heaven-pale Diana's skiesg Our souls bound fast in ecstasy's embrace Unknowing caught a glimpse of Paradise. The sinking sun still casts its distant rays: The sky still burns, more lurid than before, Soft glimmering stars, the gems of yesterdays Are beaming yet, with brighter, softer lore. Today the somber world lies bleak and bare, The mocking shadows cry you are not there! The Cardinals Modesty When people pass and look into this tree CI don't know how they know that I am here! But yet they stand and stare, amazed at me, I sing my little ditty in each ear, Right- right, right-right, Right here! Though vanity is alien to my mind 'Twould render false to outwardly deny That men rejoice whene'er my lot they iindg To favor them, my whereabouts I cry, Right- right, right-right, Right here! My beady eye, my flaming carmine vest, Prithee, don't think that I conspire conceit, THE MISSILE P2-geifteen