Soldan High School - Scrip Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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And I shall never forget, not even after what has happened since, the look that was in her eyes as she met my gaze. My heart fairly pounded as I waited for her to speak. 'KI-I know, David. I'm so-so happy and-and proud. Then she burst into tears as I drew up and reached over for the bridle of her horse. A secret engagement undoubtedly seemed more romantic. There- fore we jealously guarded the news and, in the preparations for mar- riage, june and I paid little attention to the rumor that my brother had accepted a wager concerning a new stallion recently purchased by a certain Henry Collier, one of the members of the Haarstick Riding. It was a vicious beast, by some declared unconquerable. But, because of Wilbur's reputation as a rider, no one of his immediate friends doubted, in any way, his ability to curb the spirit of any animal he might mount. But shortly before the day set for the event, Wilbur returned from a call upon the Allyns in visibly low spirits. What have you been doing? I ask jestingly. Did the fair Lady june turn you down? Yes. That's just what did happen. You know, old fellow, I thought a lot of her. Fact is, one might say I'm crazy about her. Yes? For just a moment I felt a shiver of anxiety. Yes, he replied, I told her, but she said no. Seemed almost apologetic, but refused to give me any actual reason. Simply said nofl But even such an incident as that had little effect upon Wilbur. By the next morning he was his old selfg and by the day chosen for the ride, he was fairly bubbling over with vitality. Well, Dave, he called in greeting to me that morning, we'll show 'em today how to handle horses and women. ' You may handle the horse, brother o'mine, I returned, but you'll find the women a bit different, I'm thinking. Don't know about that. If I manage this stallion for old Collier, she ought to pay a little more attention to me. I've seen her a few times since she turned me down, you know. No, I didn't know it. Well I have. She was quite agreeable. I swear she almost hinted that she might take more notice of me after I win that bet today. I have to go now, Dave. You'll be at the Club to see me ride, wonlt you? With that he left me. Disloyalt' as I knew it was to her, I was unable to dismiss from my mind Wilbur's Words spoken so carelessly and with such assurance. But that was like him. He would never believe, not for an instant, that anyone could refuse him anything he wanted. IM

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1 Y ' A A - - - A -:-. - f 'Df ff nz- of I--f -W L f- JCX- Soon the ladies joined us again and the assembly became more gen- eral. june was among them, but no opportunity presented itself of talking quietly to her, and I prepared to leave rather early. After I took my leave of her father, he turned away, and June herself addressed me as I was departing. Aren't you going to bid me good night, Mr. Inglis? she asked. 'Why-'uh-of course, Miss Allyn, I replied. I sought for you butwas unable to disengage you for even a moment. Father tells me you are to meet us at the Club tomorrow. Yes. It was kind of him to invite me to join you. Do you ride much? At every opportunity. Won't you come again soon? In spite of the cold, we could ride almost anywhere. I am most eager to explore the estate again now that I am home. Well, I am even more eager to become acquainted with the place now. May I come any time? ss Of course. You won't forget about tomorrow? I couldn't. Good night then-David. to I'll see you tomorrow-June. I drove homeward as though in a dream. She had called me David! And I had called her June. Surely she loved me. For the expression I had surprised in her eyes on leaving told that. And she must have seen my devotion. Even so, I would have to let her know deiinitelyg show her my feelings. But for this night, I was happy enough. It- the other could wait. On the morrow, and on many of the days following, I rode about the country with June. Sometimes we were joined by her father or by Wilbur, in whom I soon recognized a rival. He became, after the First few meetings, almost childlike, a more daring horseman than ever, in hope of attracting her attention by his very recklessness. And I feared him. I feared his gayety and desire to show off . I feared his power over all with whom he came in contact. I But I soon grew to believe that my jealousy was not so well founded for, in spite of my handsome brother, june continued as she had been when we first met. And by the time spring arrived, in a desire to thrust aside all danger of Wilbur's growing regard for her, I mustered courage, on one of our rides together, to turn my mount directly before hers and to declare, simply and almost abruptly: I love you, june. No doubt you've seen it in all my actions since I First met you. You care for me toog don't you? 123

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1-f - Q: ':'1 ' zfwg- isf aes' , :ii - gfiysxv It was a small crowd that gathered upon the paddock that day. There were no outsiders, merely Wilbur, Collier, June and her father, and a few grooms, as I arrived. Wilbur, of course, was as self-confident as a man could be. I do not believe that even Collier himself doubted his victory over the animal. But whatever the spectators thought, the horse had ideas all his own. Truth to tell, he had the air of one delib- erately considering each factor of the affair: seeking the most efficient method of unseating his opponent. I use the word opponent because what followed seemed to me more of a combat between two like indi- viduals than a contest between man and horse. The animal started out across the paddock sunfishing , twisting about in such manner that first one side then the other would be upper- most. At intervals he would rear, shaking his entire body, but each time he would be pulled to his haunches by the man upon him. The struggle, in its violence, rendered useless any skill on the part of the rider. It was merely a man's strength pitted against that of a horse. Each time the latter arose he was dragged down before he could turn completely about. The affair, I believe, lasted but a few seconds. It was over before any of use could clearly understand its violence. I am still unable to recall exactly how it occurred, but, following a series of vicious twists, the horse reared, and for once the man upon him was unable to bring him down. They went over backward, and I saw my brother crash down beneath the saddle with the stallion on top of him. He lived, but he was no longer the Wilbur Inglis I had known. Instead, within two weeks after the fall, he was brought home from the hospital, white and weak, propped in his chair. The doctor said that he would never ride-or walk again. And shortly after his return, June, in answer to my pleas for an early marriage, informed me by note that our engagement was ended. All the fear and agony of my being must have shown in my face as I sought her explanation. When I arrived at the Allyn home I was told that she was walking about the grounds. I saw that the expression of my face must have revealed the purpose of my visit far better than any words could have done. For, on meeting her, before I could speak, she led me to a seat upon the ground beside her overlooking a stretch of road down which we had often ridden. I know what you came to say, David, she began. But I just couldn't keep you from knowing any longer. Knowing what, June? About our engagement. I-Oh, David, I must have loved you that day you told me. I think I may love you even now-or I wouldn't feel the way I do. 125