Seven Hills High School - Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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Milestone g High School Story-Honorable Mention THE HEART MUST LAUGH Ann tossed the covers away from her and sat up in bed. The rain beat a steady tattoo against the windows and seemed to match the trace of tears in her eyes. She leaned back against the pillows and emitted a long, tear-choked sigh, her eyes red-rimmed from lack of sleep and recent crying. i'Ann, dear, she heard her mother repeat, time to get up. Almost noon. i'All right, l'm awake, she answered dimly, not particularly caring if her mother heard or not. Oh, l'm so miserable! She wept into the dampish pillows, beating them as if they were the cause of all her troubles. After this storm of tears had exhausted itself, she climbed slowly out of bed and walked to the opposite side of the room, where she took a stand. Hrmly, in front of the dressing table mirror. Ann now indulged in looking at the swollen face reflected in front of her. 'AIt's really not so bad, when it's just natural, she thought, making allowances for the present condition of her face, 'land my hair isn't too bad to look at, and my figure is passable in anybody's language. These thoughts were quite over-critical at the time, because Ann was Hquite easy to look at, with deep, almost violet eyes, accented by long, dark eyelashes and straight eyebrows. Her nose was inclined to be a little short, but it was thin and straight, and her full, rounded lips made up for anything lacking in her nose structure. Her hair was naturally curly, waving slightly over her forehead and hanging in soft curls over her shoulders. As for her figure, it was definitely passable, and her natural grace added even more to her loveliness. ln other words, Ann Clark came very close to being beautiful. These things did not seem to comfort Ann in any respect, and her troubles were still as big as ever. Sitting at her dressing table, brushing her hair mechanically, she again thought over all that had happened to her in the past two weeks. Two weeks ago, she had been happy and carefree: now she felt lost and unhappy. The event which had brought about the tragedy in Ann's formerly peaceful life, had been the arrival of one Bonnie Lee Stevenson. Bonnie was from a plantation in Nlasonfield, Alabama, and had every aspect of the Old South, about her. While Ann was nearly beautiful, Bonnie was indeed exquisite, and did not have even the slight- est hint of a short nose. She was endowed not only with a perfect face, but also with gorgeous blond hair and a deep southern accent. Every- thing about her was feminine, and Bonnie, lacking neither brains nor beauty, accented her attributes to their fullest capacity. Thus in two weeks Bonnie, had made every boy her champion and the majority of the girls her jealous enemies. Among the boys was a certain gentleman who went under the descriptive name of Sandy Murdock. Sandy's light, golden-brown hair, plus his handsome face and engaging grin, went with six feet, three inches of powerful and well distributed manhood, which had previously been the sole property of page 76

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Milestone of pleasing his brother had had to be taken away. And so he sat, remembering Tommy and their hopes, and fearing that he would never be able to speak of the Golden Pullet again. Softly, that fat tear drop made its appearance. As he walked toward the house, Toddy stumbled, and as though he were in a dream, from out of nowhere strong arms lifted him out of the air, high, high, above their owner's head. Tommy - 'AThey fooled me, Tod. I got out a day sooner, and here I am! Toddy gave his brother a big bear hug, but recalled, sadly, his thoughts a few minutes ago, It will never be the same again between us. Mommy and Daddy had left: Tommy got down on one knee and said to his little brother, Do you know what I thought of when I was off there lighting Japs, Toddy? Well, I thought about our chicken farm and the Golden Pullet, Do you remember our talks? Toddy wanted to speak of his joyous plans to show Tommy the Golden Pullet, how glad he knew Tommy would have been because of the fulfillment of their hopes, but only said weakly, Yes, and wished to avoid all further discourse on this unhappy matter. Toddy noticed, thankfully, that Tommy had risen and was lifting from the porch table a big box, seemingly having forgotten his previous remarks. The box was placed before the boy's slightly drooping figure. I think you'll like what's in this box, Tod. I got it while I was waiting for Ben Barnes to give me a ride home. I-Ie had to meet the 4:10 wesbound and help load some stock on her. While I was helping too, this is what I found. Open it, fellow. Dejected, but still glad for new diversion, Toddy tediously opened the box. The lid fell back. There a dainty golden pullet arched her neck. Startled and mystified, Toddy gasped, 'iOhI Is it - .I-Ie noted the black mark on the chicken's beak. Beaming, Toddy lifted ever-loving eyes to his brothers fine face, and with a happy chirrup, thc Golden Pullet settled herself busily in the curve of the boy's arm. TONI AVERY, '48 . S wwlmwffw 1-' X-. ll 75 We M aw www W-L5

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ggi f Wg gg W f Mz'Iestone Ann. Speculation had occurred as to who his commander would be, with the arrival of Miss Stevenson, who now seemed to have complete charge of the situation. As a matter of fact, Sandy paid no more atten- tion to Ann, but devoted all his time and allowance to Bonnie. Another problem now had arisen in the form of the Country Club dance, which was being held the following Saturday, and naturally it was a must on every girl's social calendar. Yesterday, Monday, Sandy still had not asked Ann: so she had accepted a date with Bill Arthurk who had called last night. Ann was sure she would be miserable with him, but she had to go, if only to spite Sandy, Today, however, she regretted it, because, she thought, Sandy might still ask me, and now I couldn't accept. These, then, were the reasons for Ann's sleepless night and for the many tears that had been shed in the process. Ann finally finished dressing, camouliaged as best she could the signs of crying, and went downstairs to her breakfast. Mrs. Clark, if she did see any traces of her daughter's emotional upset, tactfully avoided mentioning it and instead said that she thought Ann ought to have a new dress for the dance. Ann, there's the most adorable black evening dress at the Junior Shop that I thought you might like for the dance. It's rather expensive and I don't approve of your wearing black much, but I think it would look quite well on you, and besides I think you need a new dress, Could you come down town with me this afternoon? 'AThat'd be swell, thanks! Ann answered, trying to make her voice sound cheerful, even though the mention of the dance made her wince inwardly. That afternoon she went with her mother to see the dress, and immediately bought it. The dress was something every girl wants, and the thought of having such a glamorous gown deinitely gave her spirits a lift. Wednesday through Friday passed too quickly for Ann, even with the added blow that Sandy was taking Bonnie Saturday night. That morning Ann was hovering between the idea of getting sick and not going, and the thought that, if she didn't go, she wouldn't be able to see Sandy. Deciding to see the thing through, now that she had started, she spent that afternoon getting ready. This process included putting on nail polish. seeing that all her clothes were in perfect order, washing her hair, taking a bath, and, finally, getting dressed. By the time all this had been accomplished, and her make-up put on with great care, Bill had arrived, and was waiting downstairs. The thought of going with Bill seemed to her almost like going with her father, as Bill and she had grown up together and had lived next door to one another most of this time. When she went downstairs, however, she was a bit surprised to discover that in a tux, he seemed very good- looking, Bill is three inches shorter than Sandy, and his hair is just plain blond, nothing exciting, she thought, mentally comparing the two, but I guess he'll just have to do for tonight. Bill whistled low under his breath when he saw her enter the room. Why, madam, he said, I never knew I had such a glamorous gal for a neighbor! I'd better catch up on what I've been missing these yearsY page 77