Santa Ana High School - Ariel Yearbook (Santa Ana, CA)

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ARIELL I ,rp ,L -exe .4 him away from his work awhile. He opened the door and stopped, for there sat Leigh at his easel painting. Why! I expected to find you-oh-I thought you weren't going to paint any more. A Good morning, Lester. You see I've changed my mind. I'm painting this for the December Exhibition. And, Lester, 1,111 going too put my whole heart into it. H could not suppress a sigh for he knew his heart was already there. I'll be very busy now and don't wish to be disturbed, so-, you understand, Lester. Lester was too much rejoiced to say anything except, Yes, all right. I hope you have luck. Good-bye, and he left the room. Lester could not keep such good news, and soon all of Leigh's friends knew he was again trying for first place. Leigh worked every minutelof the day and spent part of the nights thinking. He attended no social functions, he neglected his exercises, and scarcely slept or took time toyeat. His friends began to worry and fear he was over-working himself, but Lester, who was sure of Leigh's success, allowed no one to go near him. The rest of Qctober went by and November slipped away. It was the middle of December, four days before the exhibition when Lester receivd a note from Leigh asking him to come to the studio. Come in, called Leigh before Lester could knock, for he knew it was he by the bounds up the stairs. A You've-F Lester started to ask. Yes,,' interrupted Leigh, I've finished my picture and wished you to see it. First, I want to thank you for the kindness you did me by not coming till I sent for you. He crossed the room and turned to the admiring eyes of his friend, the picture on the easel, Unforgotten Memory. It was the picture of his dream on canvas: a red brick school house with ivy twining lovingly over its walls, green rolling lawns over whi-ch the spreading trees cast inviting shadows: the shadows were long, as it was the sunset hour, and everything had a rosy glow. Under one tree sat a young girl, her head slightly raised, for she was looking at a young man who was carelessly leaning against the tree. Her eyes seemed to be twinkling and her face was lit. with a merry laugh. His lips were slightly parted in a smile while his eyes expressed only one thing as he looked at her. Page Twenty-three

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One mountain Tlfeigbt Uieacbeb T is no use, I cannot do any better, answered Leigh Kingston, and Lester Mancing left the studio, closing the door with a bang. He had spent all evening trying to encourage and cheer up Leigh, but had utterly failed. - I did my best last time. I put all my power, strength, and thought into my last picture. It is the last time I'll try, the top is too high: I can't reach it. I've climbed the hills, but the mountain is before me. Where did l ever hear that saying ?--Oh! my old class motto, 'We have climbed the hills, the mountains are before us.' Leigh sat by the window, l1is chin in his hands, his shoulders drooped, and his face filled with hopelessness, but as he uttered the last sentence to himself, his expression began to change somewhat. He continued looking through the window over the beautiful city of Paris, but his eyes took on a dreamy look, and around his mouth could be detected a very faint smile. By Jove! I must have been asleep, he exclaimed sometime later, jumping up from his chair. The room was dark except for fantastic lights leaping from the fireplace. He stirred the coals a little and began walking up and down the room, returning to his habit of talking aloud to himself. Such a strange dream as that was. Everything was so clear and plain. It seems as if I'd really seen the dear old building with its ivy-covered walls, its green lawns shaded by big spreading trees, and,-and-Irma was sitting under our tree, looking as sweet and girlish as ever. I suppose, everything is changed now, and she, too, yes, she has changed a great deal. Leigh frowned. His face became stern and his eyes hard. She has forgotten, why can't I? I willg I 'will work and forget. I'll think of fame and I'll show her proud father I'm worth something. He walked a moment in silence and then stopped and leaned on the mantle. Perhaps it was not her fault, I know he never cared about me, but then if she -and thus he mused, He drew a comfortable chair up to the firesicle and gazed Hxedly into the glowing embers. The bell of a neighboring cathedral was ringing for early 'mass when he finally stirred from his chair. Lester returned to Leigh's studio about noon the next day to take Page Twenty-two

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I 1,1 Aki!! .y ,1 f XY- K. ..,. ARIEI-Q. Lester started to speak but stopped,-he didn't know what to sayg it was so lifelike and beautiful, but most of all the sentiment aroused his emotions and beneath it he saw into Leigh's life, his secret. if :sc bk wk is wi: On the eighteenth day of the exhibition, Leiglfs strain had begun to tell on him so that he decided not to tax his physical and mental strength by going. He told Lester to go and when it was over to come and tell him all. The places were announced in the evening about eight o'clock, but Lester was not able to get away till nearly ten. He arrived at Leigh's studio and walked in, but as Leigh was not there he crossed the room and sat down by the window. In a few moments Leigh entered, and, although the room was not very light, Lester saw he looked years younger 3' he also saw the sparkle in his eyes. Leigh did not see Lester and he began to hum as he drew off his gloves. Wl1y, Leigh lu exclaimed Lester, standing up quickly, Have you heard F Oh, I didn't notice you,', Leigh replied. Heard what? About your picture, of course. Wllere have you been P asked Lester. Oh, yes, I forgot. Tell me, did I reach the top? Leigh asked, drawing a chair near Lester. No, Lester answered and sank into his chair again. So the 'Unforgotten Memory' didn't win at the exhibition? Leigh said calmly, showing no dis-appointment in his voice. Wl1y man li' exclaimed Lester, leaning forward, I thought you cared so much. 'Y Listen, Lester, Leigh answered, softly moving nearer. It didn't bring me to the top of Mt. Fame, but it did bring me to the top of Mt. Happiness. He then handed Lester a crushed note. Lester opened it and read:- Dear Leigh, I have not forgotten, either. Irma. NIILDRED SH.xr.LuNiilsRt:14:n,, '13. Page Twenty-four