Roanoke High School - Acorns Yearbook (Roanoke, VA)

Page 41 text:

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

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

Page 42 text:

On into the stormy night they went. The thunder sounded nearer and it began to rain, A closer Hash of lightning and she shivered and drew her shoulders together. He took off his coat and made her put it on in spite of her protestations. The rain came in torrents and the wind tossed the girl's Wet hair against his cheek. VVhere is your hat ? I left it at that next to the last awful bump, she groaned. l'll never have anything to do with another wedding as long as I live. That's very plausible, he said. I think it is more forcible when I say l'm sure I Wont. Three miles yetj' the driver answered when they had finally found cour- age to inquire. A hopeless stillness fell. At last Durbison felt the slender figure beside him tremble, and after some time it seemed to him that he heard her crying. lYhat's the matter Pl' he asked in alarm. She sobbed aloud, My fingers are frozenf, VVrap them up in that coatf, C-can't,l' she gulped, my feet are miles off the fioor and l have to hold on. Durbison threw back his head and laughed, Poor little girl! he said, Uwrap them up any way, and if jack objects we'll just tell him it was a case of necessity and mercy. l-le drew her to him and she leaned against his arm, her hands in the pockets of the coat. Isnit it funny F she said at last, our meeting this way, all because I didn't take the early train-and donft you envy Jack at home all high and dry P f'Sorry, he said softly, yes and no. l-le whistled softly for a moment and then went on, Envy Jack? For the first time to-night and probably for the last time ever, l do not envy jackf, The lights of Sanderson came into view and as they arrived at the top of the hill the village clock pointed reprovingly to half past nine. jack Howard came down the steps to meet them as the wagon rattled up the drive. That you, Durbison? Been telegraphing all over the country for you. Got my sister with you? And then as the girl on the wagon seat sprang to the ground, lack turned the bewildered Durbison around to meet a tall girl with blue eyes and brown hair. Here they are at last, Dorothyg stop worry- ing about the rehearsal, we've found the best man and maid of honor. Durbison realized that the mistake was natural, for the description jack had given him of Dorothy would Ht either her or .lacks sister, as far as eyes and hair were concerned. And then in the confusion he caught sight of a little dripping figure trying to steal past up the steps, and he whispered into a tangle of very wet hair: 'Tve changed my mind about another weddingf, but the girl pretended not to hear as she ran lightly up the steps. Cixmm BENNETT, 'l3. 43