Roanoke High School - Acorns Yearbook (Roanoke, VA)

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'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

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' 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

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Silence for a moment and then, Mi: Durbison, you are very fond of Jack? l always was, he said, his words coming slowly, until to-night, I feel now that 1-hate himf, The little note of bitterness jarred but she laughed it off. Don't take it so, she begged, there are harder ordeals in the world than being best man for a friend. You are right, he echoed, but he would not look at her, there are harder ordeals than being-best man-for a friend. The train had been moving at a slow rate and now with a bump stopped. She looked into the darkness outside, lYhere are we? There's a star, make a wish. 'ltls too late,'1 he mused. NVell, l wish that we would get out of here somehow, for I am starved- and that rehearsal V' Pounding on again for a few yards then another stop. Go out and ind the trouble, she asked, and where we aref' Five minutes later Durbison found her on the steps of the car. Stuck behind a freight wreck, he said, good for three hours. Oh l she gasped in terror, and where are we?'l At Sheridon-seven miles awayf, Mr Durbison, we must get home somehow. Can't they run us up oh the wreck train or something?', I am afraid not. Then we must walk, that's all. I donyt see, Mr. Durbison, what you ind to look so cheerful about. Dont you realize the weddings to-morrow, and Jack will never forgive us if we don't have a rehearsalf' Durbison thought seriously. The situation is trying, especially for youfl and then as a moisture began to gather in her eyes, he added hastily, I'll see if anything can be found fit to drivefl Anythingl anything! just so it will get us out of here, she cried. Nl took you at your word, he answered some minutes later, it happens to be anything. They stood on the station platform and laughed at the decidedly primitive means of rapid transit drawn up for their approval. 1 That horse can make it in an hour, for that spring wagons light, the owner of the team was saying. Gut into the night they started. Now and then the darkness was cut by a Hash of lightning and thunder was heard in the far distance. The wagon pitched from side to side in the darkness and then the girl in the wagon bed rose and touched the larger figure above her, breaking the silence by a hollow whisper, Did you understand this to be a spring wagon P . I did. ' 'flK'here are the springs? l'm jolted to pieces and l'm deathly afraid of thunder. Please make room for me up therefi 'fCertainly, can you climb up ?,' and he put out his hand to help her as she stepped on the box that had been her chair and then settled herself beside him on the seat. 42