Riverbend School for Girls - Vox Fluminis Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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VOX F L U M I N I S Page Twenty-six No, said Helen, I only stick them on for fun, Daddy goes to all these places and I take them off his trunk. The brown trunk fell backwards and lay there pale. When the two girls had gone out he said, I only had some fun, I didn't mean to be stuck up but I thought I would have some fun. ' That's good, for we would have been mad at you forever. -Margaret Powell, Grade VI. SEALED ORDERS Lynn jordan was penniless. Two years before, her father, knowing that he was dying, invested his money in reliable stocks so that Lynn would never want for comforts. But now, those reliable stocks were worthless, and Lynn was penniless. She knew she would have to look for a position, but she was fitted for nothing, and knew that it would be a hard task. Early Monday morning, she noticed while looking through the Times that the Cartier 'Detective Agency wanted a young girl assistant. Lynn thought she might as well investigate it, and reaching the Agency was not surprised to see many other girls intent on the same purpose. The wait was interminable, but she was finally admitted to the manager, Mr. Cartier. He appraised her slowly and nodding to a chair said, Sit down, Miss -P Jordan, replied Lynn. You have had experience, I presume, Miss Jordan ? Lynn said slowly, No, but I think I could fill the position. After receiving such details as her address, etc., Mr. Cartier said, We will engage you, Miss Jordan, but you must understand that you are to be at our call at any time. Lynn nodded, thinking happily that she had secured a position. She was suddenly aware though that Mr. Cartier had resumed talking. You will drop your name of Jordan, and While in our employ will be known as Number 29. Lynn's only reply was Oh. Your first assignment, continued Mr. Cartier, will be to go to Paris. You will receive your orders before you leave, but they are sealed and must not be opened until you reach Paris. At Havre you will be met by our senior member, Mr. Davidson. When will I leave ? asked Lynn. If possible, tomorrow at midnight. Passage has been booked on the S.S. Mauretaniaf' It was fifteen minutes to twelve, and Lynn was pacing the dock at thc foot of 125th Street. Where on earth could Mr. Cartier be, she wondered. just at that moment, however, Lynn saw him alight from a Black and Yellow Cab. There you are, 29, cried Cartier, just made it, didn't I? Here are your orders. But now we had better board her, she sails in eight minutes.

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Page Twenty-five VOX FLUMINIS ON THOSE LENGTHENING LOCKS When I consider how my hair has grown, Ere half my days in this great school are spent, And think of bobby pins borrowed and lent, Then the stray wisps and ends which I bemoan, Are lodged with me useless. The exultant tone Of new-shorn classmates doth cruelly chide Me and my bun. Can its worth be deny'd P I fondly ask. But patience to prevent That answer soon replies- You've nearly won.' Others still are struggling on the way. In spite of all the folk who laugh, your state So queenly. Thousands wish they had a bun And envy that great knot you now display. -I wonder how much longer I will wait? CWith apologies to John Miltonj. 9 -Jane Nicholls, Grade XI. WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKETO BE A WILD GOOSE I wonder what it would be like to be a wild goose. To fly swiftly through the air, the flock a faint V on the horizon. How would it feel to go to sleep on some small prairie lake, to feed in the stubble fields. I won- der what it would be like to fly hundreds of miles northward in that long wavering line, honking sociably to each other, now joining in with other flocks, now flying aloneg sometimes flying low over some farm while the farmer and his family watch you pass. the heralds of spring, perhaps flying over a great city, looking down from the clouds on the countless roof-tops. Flying ever northward to the nesting grounds on the shores of the Great Northern Bay. -Margaret Aldous, Grade VII. THE STUCK UP TRUNK For years the attic had been very happy for all the trunks and suit- cases had been happy. One day a brown trunk with a lot of stickers on, like Rome, Italy and England, was put in with them. It brought trouble to everybody. Would you like me to tell you about my adventure P he asked. They all said that they would. At last, after a week, the big black trunk got so mad he said, You're a stuck up thing. Pardon ? asked the brown trunk. You're a stuck up thing, answered the black trunk. Then the door opened and two girls came in. My! Have you been to all these places ? asked Betty.

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Page Twenty-seven VOX FL U M I N I S .--n.-u...--.............................................. ......... ....................-..................... .......... .............-.... .... ....................... .......................................................... -........ .............................-.....................-. ......... . ........ ......-....-.............. Lynn had tucked the envelope in her purse, and was now wending her way up the gang-plank. Several minutes later she was on A deck, where her cabin was situated, and was standing by the railing. VVhat a milling crowd that is on the dock, she thought. Mr. Cartier, with a final bon voyagef' left her. The boat was slipping away from the dock, and Lynn could hear dis- tinctly the throbbing of the engines. Bed was the best thing now she thought, and after quite a hunt, found her cabin. She was awakened next morning by the stewardess, who brought hot tea and rolls. Hurriedly dressing, she went out on deck, where the sea-air was very refreshing after her stuffy cabin. Lynn kept her purse, containing the envelope, with her all the time, remembering Mr. Cartier's warning as to its importance. He had also said that attempts might be made to steal it. Lynn could hear a steward calling the early risers to breakfast, but not feeling like food, she took a couple of turns around the deck. The rest of the ocean trip was just like any other life aboard ship. Miniature golf, quoits, swimming and other sports. The last night aboard was very different however. Lynn had retired early, so as to be fresh for the early morning landing at Havre. It must be confessed she was rather eager to meet Mr. Davidson, but most of all to read the sealed orders. Lynn, turning uneasily in her sleep, thought it couldn't possibly be six o'clock. But now the sound of somebody moving in her cabin, fully awakened her. The intruder was dressed in a dark hat and coat. A silk scarf, drawn adoitly round his neck, partially concealed his face. Lynn was frightened, and screamed. Barely a few seconds later, the second lieutenant, Richards, knocked on the door, asking if there was trouble. There was no answer, as Lynn was silenced by the sight of a gun. She managed, however, to upset a chair in rising from her bed, and the noise persuaded Richards there was something wrong. Opening the door, as the intruder had not had the precaution to lock it, he stepped in, first drawing his automatic. With a muttered curse, the intruder tried to leave, but Richards was too quick for him. Hearing Lynn's evidence, the man was put under arrest, and Lynn was assured there would be no more disturbance. Hastily looking in her purse she was relieved to find that the papers were still there. There was no more sleep for Lynn so she decided to read. ' Six o'clock the Mauretania docked at Havre. Lynn anxiously looked around for Mr. Davidson but as she did not know him, she had no luck. Presently, feeling a slight touch at her elbow, she turned to see a well- dressed, attractive young man. I am Alan Davidson, he said. Are you number 29 ? Yes, replied Lynn, I was wondering if you would come or not l Lynn and Alan Davidson proceeded directly to Paris, where she could then open the envelope. The minute the train stopped, the envelope was in her hands. Its contents were: Go to Mmeq Dupre, No. 79, Rue Canarisf' Rather odd, thought Lynn, but she took a taxi, it was not a long way, and she soon arrived.