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

Page 22 text:

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'!

Page 21 text:

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

Page 23 text:

3: MERE? ' H, A l o? a. ' xxxnx THE CLARION 21 action which was taken in suspend- ing Jerry till his name was cleared. Meanwhile a flush rose to Evelynls face and a bright look came into her eye. Then she handed the letter to the president. As he read his face grew stern, then relaxed. When he had finished, looking kindly at Evelyn he said, 01 am glad. You have done us a great service? Graduation day dawned clear and bright. The students gathered in groups and slowly entered the chapel for the last assembly of the year. When the hoary headed president as- cended the platform a silence fell over the room. The usual opening exercises concluded, the president arose and slowly began to speak. Every one was startled at what they heard. itThe guilty one has been appre- hended and now'sits in, this assem- ' bly? Every eye followed that of the Doctors and' rested on the cowering form of Conway McKahn. He added further: ill have here a written tes- timony which, though it perhaps went aStray, still serves a good purpose? and he held aloft a piece of paper burned at one corner. Then the presidents voice grew stern and he commanded two stalwart fellows to seize McKahn. A With one accord the assembly filed out and followed the president, who started across the campus. At last he reached a small shrub like tree. Here Conway was given a trowel and told to crawl beneath the tree and dig. He did so. After a short sil- ence, during which the clink of the trowel could be heard, Conway ap- peared and with a contemptuous gesture threw the box at the feet of the president .and made a dash for liberty. But he was not quick enough for strong arms soon secured him. Conway McKahn, when he found the game was up, made a full confession and cleared Jerry, but he was com- pelled to leave the ,varsity in dis- honor and disgrace on the day of graduation. A note was sent to J erry. It acted like magic. His face beamed again and the remainder of the day a song was upon his lips. Night came and in a blaze of light, music, flowers and thunderous applause, J erry, with the first honors of the class of naughty six, was graduated. His face was flushed, his eyes bright. But his cup of happiness seemed running oler when he caught the merry gleam of a pair of sparkling brown eyes. Jerry and Evelyn were again be- neath the maples. Music still iioated over the soft, night air. The frag- rance of roses perfumed the breeze. The moon, now risen, threw a halo of light around them and made a fairy picture. A soft cool breath of air rose suddenly and fanned their faces. Then J erry softly whispered, itOn such a night as this, methinks, Media did gather the enchanted herbs which did renew Old Aesonfl A sil- ence. Then their hands clasped and J erry, looking into the depths of the brown eyes, whispered softly a ques- tion. The answer came, tiYes, Jerry? L726 gafnguaAe $y Jyll gye Miness. BY A. Raymond Parker, a former student of the Salem High School. Class of '08. but now of Oakland, Cam On looking over the April number of the Clarion I was much interested in Chester Moorels description of Cal.- ifornia. If he were to retrace his steps the sight around the vicinity of San Francisco would certainly be most appallingly different. The beau- tiful Memorial church, arch and gym. of Stanford University all shaken and crushed, lie Scattered over the grounds. But to Visit San Francisco tthat wasl he would certainly think himself in Pompeii or some other ancient city built 1000 years B. C. and now crumbling in ruins. The sight of the burning city from Oak-