Santa Rosa High School - Echo Yearbook (Santa Rosa, CA)

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2 THE PORCUPINE er was but a memory in the hearts of those who loved her, Allie faced the future bravely and, day by day, com- forted and encouraged her father, who was often sadly de- spondent. For him the future was but a thorny pathway which he must tread before his journey of life should be completed Bnt to return. “I am glad for you, dear,” Allie re- sponded, then hastened away that her sister might not see the tears which she was unable to conceal. When alone she endeavored to form a mental picture of the re- nowned singer, who that evening would delight her hear- ers in the beautiful gardens of Mrs. Declaine, whose wealth enabled her to satisfy her every fancy. But could Allie have realized what the future contained for her, her joy would have known no bounds. The evening had come. Elaine had disappeared in a vision of white loveliness and Allie was alone save for her father who was so occupied with his evening tasks that he failed to notice her dejected air. Finally she re- membered the pretty row boat which was available at all times and stole down to the lake whose waters sparkled beneath the wan beams of the moon. Raising her voice, she calied for Rover who immediately appeared and, per- ceiving her intentions, barked joyously while the boat was being released from its moorings. A moment later, and Allie was busily plying the oars, humming softly the while. Her sweet, clear, though untrained voice at- tracted two young women, the sole occupants of another craft. One of them exclaimed brightly, “Oh, do sing for me, will you, please.” Her companion seconded the re- quest and, after a little urging, Allie consented. At first her voice was weak and unsteady, but seemed to gather strength from effort. The words were touching and ap- pealed to her listeners, for they seemed to come from the depths of a yearning heart. When she had finished she gazed into the face of one of her listeners for whom she had conceived a great admiration. While the lady

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ee ee eee 5 A IRE OR LE ate ae ee ct SNE eS Che Porcupine VOL. XI. SANTA ROSA, CAL., NOVEMBER, 1904 NO. 3 Prudent People Purchase Prickly Porcupines The Reward of Faithfulness Allie West sat: sewing by the open window, through which shown the last rays of the setting sun. She glanced up as her sister entered, as usual, in a perfect whirlwind of excitement. “Oh, Allie dear, you can’t realize what has happened! I received an invitation to attend the concert to be given in the Declaine Gardens this evening. Mrs. Declaine expects to entertain one of the renowned singers of ‘Sing- erville.”” Elaine laughed as she repeated the name “Singerville,”’ and then continued with great emphasis, “Oh, Allie, I can just picture the tall, sedate, queenly little figure standing before the footlights, letting her great voice resound through the ages to come. Oh, dear! when | try to be sentimental, no, eloquent, I fail utterly. But is it not perfectly splendid, Allie, dear?” It had not occurred to Elaine that her sister might pos- sibly have appreciated an invitation. Not that Elaine was selfish. Oh, no. It had been thus ever since Allie had sacrificed her own ambitions and with tearful eyes murmured, “No. mother, dear, I shall remain at home and care for you, and Elaine may have what she so sincerely desires. So, when the college had reopened one autumn day, nearly three years before, Elaine had wended her way thither, happy in the realization of her highest am- bitions, while her sister remained quietly at home, attend- ing to the household duties and nursing the invalid moth- er who was often so exacting and unreasonable, the result of years of intense suffering. But when, at last, the moth- “

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THE PORCUPINE 3 praised her execution Allie studied her intently. She was attired in a black velvet gown and wore no orna- ments save for a few crimson buds which nestled amid the glossy ringlets of her hair and which contrasted so prettily with her pale, expressive face and dark eyes full of fire, yet soft and pleading. A pleasant conversation followed and soon Allie was unfolding to her listeners, whose kindly tact and sym- pathy had won from -her the story of her life and am- bitions for the future, her desire to be present that even- ing in the Declaine Gardens and hear the renowned sing- er whom the enthusiastic queen of wealth was enabled to summon into her presence. Suddenly, inspired by a new thought, Allie asked, “Will you sing for me now?” The lady hesitated, then catching sight of the pleading face, nodded acquiescence. Her sweet voice broke the stillness of night and, accompanied by nought save the splashing waters beneath her, she charmed her two lis- teners into breathless silence until the conclusion of the strain. It was a strange sight, the two fairy frigates gliding along side by side, bearing two enraptured lis- teners and she who so charmed them with her voice that their oars were almost unheeded and the tide was bear- ing them where it would. We must not omit the great, shaggy dog, and also the lanterns which enabled each to behold the faces of her companions. “Oh, it was wonderful!” Allie cried, then paused, un- able to express her thoughts further. “JT must tell you,” the lady replied, “that I am the sing- er whom Mrs. Declaine summoned. You know we sing- ers are proud with that pride which is born of independ- ence.” She struggled to control her rising indignation. “Mrs. Declaine did not question me in regard to her sum- mons, or rather commands, so I wrote her no word of re- ply. I would willingly disappoint any woman who so forget herself as to impose upon one who is her inferior only in wealth. . Still, she has continued to expect and I came here merely to forget. And now I have a sugges-