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

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Vox Fluminis 25 A DANGEROUS TASK MISS Cathy, your father would like to see you in the library! Thank you, Pillingsf' As Cathy laid down her book she had a premoni- tion that the coming interview with her father was to be of great im- portance. The conferences in the library always were, but little did she know what this one had in store for her. She rapped lightly upon the library door. A deep, stern, but kindly voice answered, Come in! Cathy slowly opened the door to see her father pac- ing the rug before the large, open fire-place. Lord Mainwaring was a tall, elderly gentleman of stately physique. His stern, handsome face, now lined by the passing of time, was softened by the deep-set, dark blue eyes. This man, who could be so kind, yet so harsh, so friendly, yet so stern, whose appear- ance anywhere caused a commotion, was the intelligence of the House of Commons. Cathy knew and realized how impor- tant her father was to her country in such times of trouble and tribulations, when war was apt to be declared at any moment against a ruthless, cruel enemy. She did not begrudge her be- loved England the time he spent on state affairs, which should have been spent on her-a motherless, only child. Cathy could see that something was wrong. Her father's face was sterner than ever before, his eyebrows were closely knit, and his thin lips were set in a narrow, tight line. He motioned her to sit down. Cathy, he began, I have a very grave proposition to make to you. It is a favour I would ask of no mortal, if it were not for our country's sake. It is extremely dangerous and might possibly mean death. That is why I cannot ask another man's daughter. His voice trembled with emotion as he con- tinued, You have always wanted to be an actress. Now the time has come when you can act the most difficult, cunning, dangerous part ever given to player on stage or screen! You remember well, Baron von Shreck, his wife and his son, Kurt, with whom you spent the summer, at the age of ten? These people, I am afraid, we can no longer call our friends. He and all his family are now very power- ful members of Hitler's Nazi party. Our secret agents over in Germany have asked us to send someone over to keep a very close watch on him. This can only be done by establishing someone in his household. To send someone in as a servant is definitely out of the question, as the Baron makes sure they are all Nazi sympathizers before hiring them. The only way I could think of to solve this problem was to send you over as a guest. We are still quite good friends and keep in touch with one another occasionally. I have never told them that you recovered com- pletely from your illness. I shall write and tell him that you had a relapse and the doctor has ordered you to go to Southern Ger- many. He cannot very well refuse, since last time you improved so much after the visit at their place. It will be very dangerous, but you will have your own nurse who will help you. I wish to God I didn't have to ask you this, but if you feel that you are not capable of carrying out this mission, say so and I shall try and find some other solution. I have great confidence in you, Cathy, and feel that you can and will do it. Yes, father, I'll do it willingly. There is nothing I would not do for our country and especially for you? A tall, fair-haired young man stepped onto the platform and made his way through the milling crowd, as the toy- like train puffed its way into the over- crowded station of Rosenheim and jerked to a standstill. Distinguishable among the rest in his colourful sports jacket and riding togs, he carefully 'watched each person disembarking from the coaches. He rushed forward eagerly as a slim, pale, beautifully tailored figure, supported by a middle- aged woman, emerged from the train.

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? VT W 5 as On 9 DRIFTING silently downwards, they came in a long procession. Some were like fairy wings, thin as gossam- er, others, wisps of mist, with little pin-prick lights twinkling in them. Many were beautiful, with smooth shapes and soft colors. One was awhirl with murky mauves and moon- stones. Here, a wee elfin shape skip- ped in and out of the wierdly moving troop, there, a moon-beam goblin pranced in rhythm with its fellow monsters. Gruesome forms of green slime quiv- ered and shivered, under and through all the other beautiful, stately and mysterious beings. Some had red sequins glimmering in their backs, others, purple and green lights as if from nowhere. Many large, grotesque horrors with misshapen figures, and hollows deep as fiery fathoms flared around them. F , ' 1' no EW S .xi l S Ffh 6 QQ X Every once in a while one dropped out, floated up, up away, toward the back of the moon, and vanished. There seemed always to be a whispering of sweet violins, together with the distant droning of a million bees. This ghostly procession gave one the feeling of uncertainty and mystery. 011 and on they came, in a never-ending stream. Dawn was breaking and be- ginning to light the eastern sky. The mysterious dreams were fading, as stars do towards dawn. Suddenly the sun burst over the horizon. All that was left, a mist cling- ing to the pine needles on the floor of the wood, swaying to and fro with the breeze. Slowly it floated up, up and away into the firmament. So did the dreams go to other places to give more people visions of the mysteries of subconscious thought. June L. McCrae, Grade XII, Garry Hall. X . X a L5 X,

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26 Vox Fluminis Catherine Mainwaring! For a moment Cathy did not realize whom the speaker was. Glancing up she met the welcoming gaze of a pair of friend- ly, hazy, blue eyes. As she took in the clear-cut features, the firm chin, the high, smooth forehead and long Roman nose, she recalled the countenance of a childhood companion. Kurt von Shreck! I am afraid I did not recognize you at first! I think I should remember you any- where, Catherine. Together they laughed and as they did so, Cathy wondered if all that she had heard about the Germans was true. This young man was no different to the thousands of youths in England. Or was he? Perhaps their ability to mask the truth had enabled the Germans to get where they were. But how could such brutality be disguised? Surely her father was mistaken and these people did not belong to Hitler's regime--at least, not Kurt! Cathy had never received such a warm welcome as she had this time, at the old barronial hall of Baron von Shreck. She was shown to a suite of rooms on the eastern side of the mansion, overlooking a large field, alive with deer and rabbits. Everything was peaceful and quiet, the river babbled across the grounds, the gentle breezes rustled the leafy trees, the birds called back and forth to one another among the shrubs. Cathy passed most of her days lying in a deck chair out in the garden. Miss Forsythe, her nurse, stayed within ear- shot. From time to time she received visits from the Baron and his wife. Kurt drove her around the countryside in his glistening, ultra-modern station- wagon. When Cathy was feeling better, they took their lunches with them and had picnics under the trees along the roadside. Kurt often read to her, with his slightly accented, well-modulated voice. Cathy enjoyed and longed for such days as these. As the weeks and then the fortnights flew by, Cathy realized that something must be done. Already the length of time she had intended to stay was past. She must go home, she could not over- 7 stay her Visit too much, or the Baron would get suspicious. But deep down in Cathy's heart she knew that she did not want to return to England. There was a strange feeling, that, do what she might, was unconquerable and from time to time surged up in her. Slowly but stealthily it had drawn her into its grasp and now, as she tried to tear it out of her mind, her heart, her soul, its strong, iron, claws clutched her more firmly. At first she had been unable to analyse this strange, weird sensation. But one day it came upon her suddenly. She was lolling under the warm rays of an August sun, dreaming of the past, thinking and wondering about the future, when she heard upon the mosaic steps, descending into the rose garden, the well-known tread of a welcome visitor. Down, Pootles! Cathy's heart skipped a beat as the laughing, care- free voice broke the silence of the still afternoon. Kurt appeared outside the door to the rose-arbour. And how is my Sleeping Beauty this fine summer's afternoon? See, I have brought the Beasts to amuse you for a while! Mm! much better, now that Prince Charming has arrived. Though Cathy was joking, she realized that what she had said was somewhat true and she tried not to admit it to herself. You know, Kurt, I believe I could walk about the garden for a few minutes this afternoon. My back is much better today. Fine, Cathy! I am so pleased to hear it, and as he spoke he stretched out his strong arms to help her to her feet. They walked through the garden, arm in arm, speaking only now and then to remark upon the extraordinary beauty or colouring of some rose. As they wandered here and there, the realism of that strange, Aunquenchable feeling, which Cathy had sensed, came to her. Now she knew the truth, the awful truth! She was in love with Kurt Shreck. Yes, in love with Kurt Shreck! Kurt Shreck the son of a deadly enemy of her country, and he, himself for all she knew, might also