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

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found the family before a cozy fire in the living room. “Mother,” said Marjorie, “1 want you to meet Dick Yes! When he has met Don and father I will tell you about it. This is Stone, he just saved me from an accident. my brother, Don, and I hope you will be good friends. Marjorie then sat down by her mother and told about the runaway of Lass and how Dick had saved her. “But,” protested Dick, “you give me too much credit. I didn’t do anything wonderful.” “My dear boy,” said Mrs. Stephens, “you do not realize what yon have done. There was no one else on the road and there is no telling how badly Marjorie would have been -hurt.” “Oh, Don!” burst out Marjorie, “Dick can run so fast. No one else could have reached that turn before Lass did. You should make him go out for the track.” “We need a fellow, Stone, and I, as captain, want to see the team win this year. Of course a freshman hasn't much chance for any of the big meets, but at least come out for the Interclass meet. You will have a couple of weeks to practice yet.” I did not real- “T should like very much, Don. Why! ize it was so late. The time has passed very quickly. I really must go.” “Oh, no indeed. You shall stay to dinner with us and for the evening, too. Donald will take you home in the car. Now, don’t refuse! This is Friday night and you don’t have to study, so stay to please me.” 14 “Thank you, Mrs. Stephens. I[ can’t refuse you,” said Dick, although he was inwardly afraid of the dinner and when he saw the table he groaned. How would he be able to manage all those forks? At home they never had more than was absolutely necessary for one person but it seemed that there was enough for everyone at one plate. How he lived through that dinner Dick never knew, but finally Mrs. Stephens reminded him of his mother and he became very jolly and forgot to be shy.. school, family and home. The evening passed all too quick- he found himself back at the fire talking gaily. He told them about the ranch, ly, and Don took him home, after a warm invitation had been given by Mrs. Stephens to come whenever he wished to see them. that at last he had found friends. Three weeks had passed and the day for the big Col- That night he went to sleep happy, feeling lege Interclass Field Meet was at hand. Dick had been training every night and profited more than had been expected by it. The coach had thought him rather small, but he was strong and was called the “Freshie Wonder” by many of the fellows. Dick felt sure he could come well up in the sprints and perhaps win in the half mile, as his greatest trouble was in starting. They had several good runners in the College, but Dick wanted to be best, but then he was only a freshman and could hardly expect that. The big track was alive with people, mostly boys and girls of the town, as many were interested in the college track team. Dick’s heart began to sink as he came out onto AP

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teach the road. Suddenly he remembered that the road turned, so he commenced running in the other direction, hoping to reach the turn before the horse got clear around “Mine it Dick Stone. I have seen and admired your brother at College, but I don’t know many of the fellews, as I am only a freshman, so I have never met him.” it. His feet flew over the ground, and Dick never knew “You in college? Why I did not think you were any how he scrambled through a patch of wild blackberry older than I, which is sixteen.’ bushes and over the fence. The horse was there almost “Well, Tam not much older than you are, but I grad- as soon as he, although he had slackened speed slightly to uated from high school rather young,” laughed Dick. turn. Dick leaped toward the horse from the side of the road and caught the bridle. “Well, {am beginning to feel all right again, so I guess This frightened the horse [ can ride Lass home. She is usually so gentle, but she more, but Dick held on and after being dragged a few feet became frightened when I was not watching her.” succeeded in bringing the horse to a standstill. The “She surely is a beauty,” said Dick, as he gazed at the frightened girl jumped off the horse and sank on the grass graceful lines of Lass, a deep bay, with a long flowing mane ; beside the road. and appreciated her beauty as only a lover of horses can. “Oh, thank you so much. Lass got beyond my con- “T think that you'd better let me walk home with you trol, and if you hadn’t stopped her, I am sure I could not and lead her. You don’t want to take any chances, you have hung on a minute longer. I feel so nervous yet that know.” I can’t stand up,” said the girl, as the color slowly returned The walk home was easier than Dick had anticipated. wide to her cheeks. He thought he would be awkward and not know how to ; “Don’t mention it,’ answered Dick, “anyone would talk to a girl, as his acquaintance with girls had been have done the same thing.” rather limited. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and forgot “Why, anyone couldn't have done the same. There to be shy. He found himself telling of his home, the ranch isn’t one boy in a hundred who would have sense enough he loved, his high school days, then of his coming to col- to run for the turn in the road, and say, but you can run lege. Marjorie gathered from his conversation that he - - ‘ ’ 5 oe fast. You must meet my brother. He is captain of the was rather lonely and homesick, so when she reached her track term at College.” home, she invited him in. He seemed unwilling to go, as “Don Stephens! Is Donald Stephens your brother?” I forgot all his old shyness had come back, but when she said that her “Yes, my name is Marjorie Stephens. mother would insist on meeting a person who had rescued A J § 4] about telling you whom you had rescued.” her daughter, he said he would stay a few minutes. They 15 a ma SRR ee ‘Mies

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the track. Could he ever run before to While he was trying to persuade himself that he could do many people? better than he ever did before, some one called to him. He turned to see Marjorie and walked over to speak to her. Dick had spent many happy evenings at the Stepheps home as it always seemed as if he was in a home when he went there, so he and Marjorie were great friends. “Dick, you go in to win that half mile, wont you? Don says you are good in the sprints for having trained so little, but that Russell and Clark are better. He thinks yon can win the half mile, though, if you try real hard.” “Of course I'll do my best, Marjorie, but don’t ex- pect too much. I wish I could win, though.” The events were run off quickly, but to the impatient Marjorie it was all too long until the half mile came. Dick had not done well in the sprints. He had gotten nervous and had not started well. He could run fast and came up to fourth in the one hundred yard and third in the two- twenty, much to the delight of the freshmen. “All out for the half mile, fellows!” came the call. “T mttst and will win!” said Dick as he took his place. “Ready! Get set!” The words sounded crisp and distinct. “Go!” the starter said as the pistol went off. Dick was off with the others. He waited for one of the other men to set the pace and he determined to keep close behind him, whatever happened. Dick knew that the man that took the lead was a sen- He felt that the runner was ior, and not their best man. trying to lead him too fast, but he ran along easily. If the freshmen won this event, they had a chance of winning the meet, otherwise the seniors would probably win. While Dick was thinking over these things he noticed that they were abuot half through. Now the test woula come. He was a little more winded than he had expected to be, but the man in front of him was falling back and he would have the lead. Yes, the man in front of him would Some one was have to drop out. But what was that? coming up behind him. He could hear the swift beating of their spikes on the track. He went faster, but still the run- ner came on. The crowd was cheering. He heard the freshmen yelling his name. He must win for them, but he was so tired. fis lungs hurt and the finish seemed so far off and— “Dick runs That was Marjorie. Yes, he would run and win. He drew himself together and made one final effort. Then the tape loomed up in front of him and he reached out and fell across the line a winner by a few feet. Dick felt some one rubbing him and opened his eyes. “Never mind. old fellow,’ said Don, “you won and that probably means the meet for the [ reshmen.” —HELEN CRANE.