Roanoke High School - Acorns Yearbook (Roanoke, VA)

Page 39 text:

' Qilhlayeb Uiebeatsal l-IE sun came into the car window unpleasantly hot and Durbison opened his eyes sleepily and swung his chair away from the offending rays, thus bringing into View a trim y sailor hat and a coil of brown hair above the chair opposite. Across the green carpet the sunbeam found its way and then dropped its brilliant ray upon the girl's hair touching it into brilliancy almost golden. Durbison realized suddenly that the three hours' ride to Sanderson might prove endurable in spite of the heat and dust. john Howard had written that he might have company down. The sun glancing on the narrow mirror oppo- site struck back into his face. Durbison looked that way involuntarily and smiled as a pair of blue eyes fixed curiously on him dropped and guiltily drew away. But his smile was a jubilant one for the eyes refiected in the glass were blue and he recognized them from the description john had given him as those of Dorothy. He rose and laid his hand on the back of the chair. I beg your pardon, he said, but -lack wrote me that you might be on the train and I recognized you at once from the description. I'1n Phil Durbi- son, you know. I'he girl put out her hand in cordial welcome. I am glad, Mr. Durbisonfl she said. I thought it might be you when I came in but you were asleepg sit down and talk to me, do, or I'll soon be asleep myself. The girl had a ring of genuine welcome in her voice, so he sat down. Isn't it a little strange for you to be on the late train to-day? he asked. Not at all, there were a dozen details that had to be attended to person- ally. Jack wanted to come, but I dared not trust him. You have no idea, Mr. Durbison, what a wedding is. By the way, are you nervous?', I-Iorribly so. It's your first experience, then? My first, but I've had some very narrow escapes. When my brother was married, I had sudden business in Mexico, and when our junior partner de- cided no one but me could be his best man, some mines in Colorado needed instant attention. In fact, I am doing for Jack what I'd do for no other living man. The blue eyes thanked him. It is good of you, she said simply. I-Ie has- tened to reassure her, MI am glad to do it for Jack-and you. She blushed quickly and looked away. Jack is very fortunate- she began. He surely is, he murmured. 'fIn his choice of best man, she finished laughinff. You have never been to Oak View? Never, b 7: 40

Page 38 text:

I-Iollyhock . . . . . . Pansy . . . . . . Cactus ............ Bachelor's Button Jack-in-the-Pulpit Peach Blossom ..... Lady- Slipper .... Bullrush . . . . . Pussy-willow ...... Foxglove . . Bleeding-heart .... Snapdragon ....... Ice Plant .... Crocus . . . . . Bridal Wreath .. Tube -rose . . . . . . ........Matilda Yet thou, beneath the howling blast Wfhen all is drear, art smiling onf' Dandelion .. . ... . 'Il-ligh-hearted buccaneer, O'erjoyed that he a road to 'Salem' hath found. ..........Hugh ............Joe The 'little' purple pansy brings Thoughts of the sweetest, saddest thingsf' . . . . . . .Meredith Distance lends enchantment. ..........Frank 'T is better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all. ..........Eddie Nothing but his voice can equal his love. ...........Sarn My heart is thine. ..........Ll0yd Oh! fickleness, thy name is Lloyd. .........Henry Nlfhat splendor shall match thy deeds, lN'hat sweetness shall match thy love ? ...........Earl l-lail! to the pussy-willow, Emblem of 'softestl love. .........Charlie lYould l were a glove upon that hand, That l might touch that cheek. .........Peyton Faint heart ne'er won fair ladyf, .........George His vanity is exceeded only by his amiability. ........Gordon Your looks freeze me. ..........Blake Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait. .........Norborne He longs to see the orange blossom Twining 'round her browf' Only the actions of the just Qin chemistryj smell sweet. 30 H 1 ' .4 as .W 3 W raglf +I J E .. 1 I - . . I f l

Page 40 text:

'tThere's the dearest little church, all ivy around just like old English ones, or whatever they are. And the decorations-I designed them myself. And the bridesmaids, dresses- She broke off. But you are not interested in the dresses. But I am, he insisted, interested in everything that relates to this wed- ding except my own miserable part. Are you nervous? leaning forward to look at her closely. So much that I purpose to change the subject and call a forfeit for every time it is even mentioned. Done!'i he cried delightedly. XVill you promise to forget for two hours that there is to be a wedding? I will, solemnly. 'lsn't that in the ceremony? She laughed, Start again and I'll play fair. She leaned back and looked out the window. She was young, younger than jack had let him suppose. Durbison decided that jacks descriptions had not done her justice. I.sn't it beautiful? she breathed at last. Beautiful, he echoed, and she turned suddenly to 'find his eyes still study- ing her face. I was speaking of the beauty of nature, Mr. Durbisonf' Her tone was icy. So was Ig but if you really prefer the sunset suppose we go outside, it's warm in here anywayf' They stood together in the rear doorway of the ear and, steadied by his hand, she ventured upon the platform. Slowly a feeling of tenderness for jack Howard grew within the man as he gazed at this beautiful girl, for surely there must be depths in a manis nature more than ordinary to merit a com- panionship as precious as this girlls. It is getting cold, she said, we must go inside. They took their places silently. The lamps had been lighted and he turned to look at his watch. Seven twenty, he said, we've been losing timef' She gasped, Rehearsal at eight thirty, I fear we will not be prompt. The two hours are up, she cried, merrily defending herself, we may talk of it now. Certainly, he answered, I should not have held you to that promise. It is only natural that you would want to talk on that subject. Go on, I am prepared to listenf, But you're only saying that to please me, so we'll talk about something else quite different. NVell, after a moments deep thought, let's say-jack. Tell me, Mr. Durbison, do you think Jack is happy ? The man she was regarding so intently smiled dryly. jacks no fool, he said. I-Ier eyes opened wide as a child's, grieved and hurt. I don't think I understand you,', she faltered. I meanf, he hastened to explain, when such luck as jacks comes to a man he'd be a big fool not to be happyf, Oh! Iseef' 41