Salem High School - Clarion Annual Yearbook (Salem, OR)

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AVW r3 331w. 'e ' THE CLARION - 19 most frequently met Conway Mc- Kahn, a dark, tall and supercilious looking fellow, who had given him a race for the company and regard of pretty Evelyn May. As to who had the best of it so far none could tell, but as to general opinion Jerry had the lead. This accounts for the rival- ry between the two in scholarship and athletics. They were a pretty even match and the contest ran close for both were bright, quick and de- termined. Then when Jerryls fall came Conway McKahn led the hostile forces against him. He was almost too energetic in voicing his opinion of Jerryts guiltiness. More than once he let such words fall that both J erry and the manager looked sharply at -McKahn who quickly recovered him- self though he did leave a suspicion in the minds of both that he knew more than was good for him. But day after day passed and still noth- ing definite was known. The mystery was as insolvable as ever. Then came the Junior reception just two days before graduation. All the Seniors except one were there. Everything was bright an l. gay, every one was happy. The pretty girls, all in white, made a picture that would live in the memory forever. The fragrant perfume from a myriad of flowers seemed to enfold the whole company in a sea of odors. And in the midst of this fliry-like scene Evelyn May passed, the gayest of the gay, the wittiest of the witty. Wheiu ever she was she was the center of an admiring group. But try as she would she could not escape the pres- ence of Conway McKahn. She wished for Jerry and, though she'knew he would not be there, she anxiously scanned the company, hoping to de- ceive herself and find him. While the strains of a waltz float- ed through the old historic building Evelyn escaped the throng and found herself in her favorite haunt beneath the maples. Scarce had the last note died away when a step sounded be- side her. She turned and saw Con- way McKahn looking intently at her. She trembled. Then their eyes met but hers returned not the warmth that burned in his. She waited in silence for him to speak. Cooly he began, in an even, patronizing tone that made Evelynls independent soul recoil. ttI have come for my answer, luiss Evelyn. What shall it be? and his lips parted in a cool, sardonic smile. ttIt is as I said it would beeNo! said Evelyn with all the hauteur she could command. . Knowing then that he was beaten 1n that race, McKahn, without a word, strode away into the darkness. But when he was out of Evelyn,s sight, in spite of the severe blow given to his pride, he chuckled when he thought of the predicament in which Jerry was. Then he greW' stern and he resolved that he would not allow himself to be beaten by J erry in the race for the mile cup. The next day. was the great meet. It dawned clear and bright, an ideal day. All the contests were pulled off and the two schools were a tie. Everything now depended on the mile race. The grandstand was filled to over- flowing; the side lines were crowded. Purple and Gold in the east and Car- dinal and Crimson in the west float- ed in the breeze. All was excitement, deep and intense. Now the contestants enter and trot across the field to the starting point. As each one takes his place a deafen- ing roar greets him, all except J erry, whotakes his place in an ominous silence. With a sinking heart J erry kept his face to the ground, then as if by an irresistable power he turned and looked over the crowd, a proud smile on his lips, until he met the dark brown eyes of Evelyn May. At once he dropped his eyes, but not until two swift messages had been exchanged. Now the men are ready to start; now a shot rings out, and they are off. The great race is being run. As Jerry started he felt the warm blood tingle through him and it seemed as if his feet had wings, so swift he flew. Round the first lap they came, all four abreast; round the second, one man from C in the lead and Jerry and Conway side by side; the third remained the same; on the fourth J erry and Conway take the lead. They were nearing the goal and everybody was wild. When within one hundred yards of the line

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18 THE CLARION came, and with her head high, swept majestically past him, looking nelther to the right or left. Jerry was stunned. He scarce could realize what had happened. He moved not until the light footsteps died away and again all was quiet. , iiSo she thinks Iim guilty, too, he soliloquized sadly. iiWell, perhaps 1t does look worse than it seems to me. I, a thief! a thief! 1, Jerry Long- bones, the soul of honesty and honor, a thief! No! My name shall be cleared of such a stigma! Butf, and his voice fell to a softer note, it Ithought Evelyn knew me, I thought I had a friend in her. Nevertheless, I stay here till the puzzle is solved. Oh, what will mother say, all her affections entwined about me, and father, hard and unsympathetic. ,Twill break her heart, ,twill break her heart? Had J erry known that when Evelyn May first saw him coming toward her in the moonlight she gave a start and flushed With pleasure his feel- ings perhaps would not have been so bitter. But she had seen Jerry walking home with another girl the day beforeeanother girl who had deep blue eyes and looked like a China dolleso she determined to make him pay dearly for his pleas- ure. She quite forgot Jerry was under a ban and only knew that within her burned a desire to speak to him, but she smothered it and swept past him as before related. ' She had hardly gone ten steps when she began to regret her action. She wanted to go back and tell him, but her pride would not let her, she want- ed to run but dared not. When she reached the shadows of the maples she turned quickly. Jerry was slow- ly moving on, seeing nothing. iiJerryfl she whispered, iiJerry, I did not mean that. Jerry! Jerry, I-- She stopped with a sob as she thought of the charge against him and the light in which her action would probably be taken. A How? Jerry got to his rooms he never knew. He found the door a-jar and wondered slightly. It was dark within and though Jerry was thor- oughly familiar with the place he stumbled around as if dazed. He spoke aloud as he hunted for the matches. ti lTwas a scurvy trick and? his tone unconsciously grew stern, iiif I ever find out who did it thereill be somebody hurt. Wonder if Iive got any friends left, he sighed as he struck a match. iiYou just certainly have? said a cheery voice from the other side of the room, iiYouive got one right here thatis going to stand by you, by the shades of Shakespeare and Baconfi Jerry started and when he saw who it was he said, iiHello, Marks, 17m mighty glad to see you. I thought they all had gone. Yes, mighty glad I,Ve got one friend? iiWell, Iim glad to return the com- pliment. But say, the old man did not forbid you the team when he suspended you from your classes did heim iiNof Jerry replied, iibut I expect the team will object now. Jerry was one of the best men on the team and Marks, the track man- ager, was not going to allow him to quit after he had had a good two months training. The track event of the year was yet to take place, when W would endeavor to retake the laurels lost last year to C . Jerry was the one on whom the manager mostly relied, though he did not make it fully known to him. In another week the event would be pulled of and the manager was afraid that tne difliculty into which Jerry had been plunged might incapacitate him to engage. But as no objections had been raised he would continue his training as if nothing had happened. iiAs for the other fellows, said the manager, as he left Jerry, iileave them to me and donlt worry. Every- thing will turn out for the best anal you will win the cup. The dOOr slammed and he was gone. The week passed slowly and was uneventful. No change had come in Jerry,s affairs. As he had been for- bidden to enter the ,Varsity building. he had devoted his time to training for the meet. But every day the members of the track team greeted him in silence and with cold, disap- proving looks, and if it had not been for the friendship of the manager, J erry, in discouragement, would have given up in despair. . It was here on the track that J erry

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20 THE CLARION Conway threw his hand to his.face and at the same time let shp a handful of iine dry sand which took Jerry full in the face. None saw the trick. Jerry staggered but knew 1n an instant. Conwayis aim was not as good as it might have been, for it merely blinded one of J erryis eyes. A momentary pause but Conway was ahead. Half blinded Jerry ignored the pain in his eyes and spurted, straining every muscle, and grimly determined to win or die, if for nothing else for the little girl with the dark brown eyes. Suddenly the air was rent with shouts from a thousand throats and a cry arose that seemed to shake the heavens. iiRah! Rah! Rah! Bones! and the day was won. Jerry had fallen over the line five feet ahead of Conway, He was lifted. to the shoulders of a dozen wild enthusiasts and carried triumphantly around the track and over to the gym. The next day was graduation but still Jerry dared not enter the ivarsity. No clouds lifted, no change. It seemed as if the brilliant Senior would have to leave the ivarsity in disgrace and dishonor.' In the evening after the great race Evelyn was sitting in her favorite nook on the campus. She was troubled. Thoughts of Jerry were continually before her, though she would not have admitted it. How long she sat there she did not know but she suddenly found that darkness had fallen and that the air was get- ting cool. She got up slowly, for sne was still under the dream like spell, and started for her room. She had gone but a few steps when her foot struck something white. Mechanical- ly she stooped and picked it up. 4It was a letter, though without stamp or address. Evelyn could not see to read it there, so she put it in her dress and promptly forgot it. Late that night Evelyn found the lettter again and this time started to read it, though not without some compunc- tlons, for she was the soul of honor. She had scarcely glanced at the writ- lng when it fell to the floor. One glance was enough. She had seen that writing more than once and rec- ognized it. But now she hesitated. She picked it up. Would it be right to read one of his letters? She thought not, but still held the missive open. A fire was burning on an open hearth near her. She was gazing into the coals, deep in reflection, when her grip loosened on the paper and it fluttered toward the blaze. She saw it blacken and then a little edge of bright coals began to eat away a corner. She saw the little edge grow wider and wider but she gazed at it as if fascinated. Then her woman,s curiosity was aroused and she snatched the burn- ing paper from the fire. Still she could not open it and read. Finally she threw it down and looked at it. Then she picked it up and settled herself comfortably in a rocker. Deliberately she opened it and began to read. The first line she read she started and caught her breath, the next she sprang to her feet, threw on her wraps and started out. Evelyn had not gone far when in the semi-darkness of the maples she saw a tall form bending over the ground as if searching for something. She guessed who it was and hurried onward. She took the path that led to the home of the president of the university. Shortly she reached it and was admitted. Though late the hour, the president was at his desk. He looked surprised when Evelyn came in and a question was in his eye. She answered him by stating that she wished some of the particu- lars of the theft which had been charged to Jerry. Perhaps she had valuable information. Then the president told her how some one had entered his private oflice and had taken from the safe, which had been accidentally left open, a small box containing a deed to the university grounds, and several notes with which the final payment of the schooPs debt was to have been paid. The loss was a heavy one and the school was in danger of being ruined. The next morning after the theft J erry and Conway were both missing but turned up next day, Conway ex- plaining his absence, Jerry. saying nothing. But the faculty could find' no clue. Then under a corner of the safe was found a note written to Jerry. This was the basis for the m A .thlla ,t I .. ll! 1! d' 1'!