Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

Page 21 text:

SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR 13 ucnt out of the room, ostensibly to get a magazine, but really for some stationery, and when he re- turned his flighty cousin was gone. Uttering some expressions with which we will not burden these pages, he sat down and wrote the following to the “idiot’s mother:— “My dear Auntie: Harold has fallen violently in love with a canary bird, and is in the whirling ecstasy that just precedes a proposal. There is only one way open that I can see to save him, and that is for you to wire him that you are dangerously ill, and lie must come immediately. I know the kind of people that have captured him. and the situation is critical, so don't fail to hurry. Dutifully yours, Jack Stanley. “That will fix him. he said to himself, as he fin- ished. for I trust that the sight of Alice will re- store hint. Leaving Baker to drive his anxious friend to de- spair by his glowing descriptions of the Western beauty, we will follow the letter eastward. Mrs. Baker and her sister were sitting in the former's garden, admiring the beauty of the flowers, when Mrs. Stanley said:— “I wonder what our boys are doing! “There is little telling what mine is doing. said Baker's mother. “I fear he is as probably fighting as praying.’’ “Surely not so bad as that ; but I suppose ‘Old Nestor,’ as Harold calls him, is grumbling,” ob- served Mrs. Stanley. By the way. what made such a change in him? Why, when that boy was in college he was the gay- est of them all, said Mrs. Baker. • I know it. Stanley’s mother explained ; and the same cause that made him jolly then makes him ■moody now—a girl. “Yes. I might have thought it,” assented Mrs. Baker. You remember who she was, of course—Ethel Douglass,” continued Mrs. Stanley. Well, they had a foolish quarrel that ended badly, and the re- sult was anger on both sides and the loss of the good nature of both. Now, however, he is dis- gusted with the whole sex, and Ethel has become -quite a different girl from the merry creature she used to be. From these two things, it looks as though both would wish the trouble had never oc- curred.” “No doubt of it,” said Mrs. Baker. Ethel is visiting Alice—I saw them together to- day.” Mrs. Stanley went on. The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the post. Here’s Jip with another letter,” said Mrs. Baker. Upon reading it. she sat down with an air of resignation, for it was Stanley’s note. She was used to such affairs. After Mrs. Stanley had read it. however, she exclaimed in delight :— The very thing! An opportunity at last! We will both meet with an accident—presumably—and when both boys are here contrive a meeting for all four of the young people, and the spell over Harold is broken, and Jack’s former good humor restored! Ah, but that bov of mine,” said Mrs. Baker rue- fully. seldom works by a time-table.” Don't be so pessimistic : we can do it. I’m sure.” ♦ Stanley and Baker were in the former’s office, discussing Jack's various business ventures when a telegram arrived addressed to Baker. Any news? inquired Stanley, affecting anxiety, but wishing, at the same time, that he could pat himself on the back. Stanley, hear this!” exclaimed Baker, reading it: ‘Mrs. Stanley and I injured in an automobile accident—Mrs. L. D. Baker.' ’’ What!” ejaculated the other. Read it yourself. H—-m.” mused Stanley, this is bad. He was upset at having Fate turn his ruse into apparent reality, and take him into the affair, as well. “Harold, there is a train in two hours.” Accordingly, they made an immediate departure. While they were on the train. Stanley discovered that Baker’s ring was gone, and easily guessed that it had been left with the “canary. but mingled dis- gust and anxiety prevented his saying anything about it. When the two fellows arrived in Pennsylvania, they were a little puzzled that their mothers told contradictory stories of the accident, but, with the assurance of twenty-five years, they soon decided that such a small matter as getting a story confused was entirely pardonable in a woman. That afternoon Baker, much to his discomfort, met Miss Carter: and later in the day he said to Stanley:— Jack. I want you to go up to see Alice with me to-night.” Not I.” replied the other flatly. “Well. I know how you hate the girls, but sec how I'm fixed. I feel mighty little like being alone with her after that affair out West. She gave me a look this afternoon that simply made me wither— little she dreams of my faithlessness, and it galls me.” Why, yes,” assented Stanley dryly, it is a com- plication.” “Oh. come on. please; I’ll be glad enough to come home early.” So they went to sec Miss Carter, one of them feel- ing as though he ought to be guillotined, and the other as though he would much prefer to be. Call- ing on the girls did not at all agree with Stanley, and about the time when he was wishing he were in Wyoming, he made a discovery which entirely upset his composure. There sat Ethel Douglass. Whv. I’m so glad you came. too. Mr. Stanley,” Miss Carter was saying: and there is an old friend of yours here.” she added innocently. “Whv—yes,” said Miss Douglass, extending 'ner hand, though she hardly kne y whether to be cor- dial or not. “So glad to sec you again,” replied Stanley,

Page 20 text:

12 SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR ACK STANLEY was a young cattle king, who had spent several years in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It is a thriv- ing, bustling city, which stands out on a bleak plain that bears little but a tough, waving grass and cacti. The city itself is largely dependent upon the livestock which is exchanged there—the sole product of this bleak, wind-swept desert. The picture one sees from a car window in Southern Wyoming is always the same—a spotless sky. met by low, rounded lulls, with occasionally a background of mountains toward the north. The place is dreary and deso- late. to say the least, but Stanley had learned to love it. Annually his mother went East to visit her sister. Mrs. Raker, in Pennsylvania, and the latter's son. Harold Raker, made an even exchange by visiting Stanley at the same time. It was early on a morning of June when Raker arrived, and naturally the two young men were discussing the girls- Why. Stanley,” said Raker. I tell you, she is a goddess. You've forgotten what she looks like, that’s all. She is tall, as graceful as a willow, and her figure is perfect; her hair and eyes are black— “Oh, yes. I remember now—all but the name,” said Stanley. “Alice—don't you like the ring of it? Alice Carter: but of course the ‘Carter’ is only tempo- rary.” Heavens! Engaged?” O. no; not formally, explained Raker, but it’s a half-understood affair. You see. it’s this way: The old folks take it for granted; she seems to think it a matter of course, by her manner; and I—well, I like her. but not enough to make it a definite matter. See? “Exactly,” replied Stanley, with his habitual brevity. Yes, old man, of a verity she is charming—one of those dreamy creatures, whose soft tones lilt you to another realm : but, say. what in the world is this picture of Ethel Douglass doing on your table?” Minding its business,” answered Stanley. O. come, old Xestor, tell me about it.” Simply an old tlame of mine. 1 would destroy it, but I liate to mutilate a photograph.” Jack, it’s too bad you let that girl embitter you. Why, there are millions of girls,” argued Baker. i know it—bores me, too; but we can’t change it.” “O, cheer up. It’s nonsense to let a soulless girl take all the life out of a useful man this way.” “Break away, Baker. Put the thing back, and let's go see the city.” After a few days, an event occurred which put Raker in high spirits, and utterly disgusted Stanley. They were strolling at their ease in a park, when from a distance Raker espied a face approaching which simply captivated him. As his cousin knew the girl. Baker succeeded in getting an introduc- tion. though Stanley rather stiffly complied. She was in a hurry, and as she went on. Baker ex- claimed :— Well! Pennsylvania can’t equal that; just look at that figure. Stanley.” O, don’t stare like a farmer. Can’t you sec those people laughing at you?” said Stanley. “What do I care! Isn’t she a fairy!” Alice, where art thou?” chanted his friend. Rats, can’t a fellow change his mind?” Not in this case; that maid is simply a wild, harum-scarum sort, with absolutely nothing in her make-up but vivacity.” argued Stanley. You, a self-avowed bachelor, ought not to judge the fair sex.” “I’ve a notion,” said the other, half to himself, “to send this little fool back to his mamma.” ()nc evening some days later Stanley was walk- ing up and down the floor with an impatience and anxiety that his sullen philosophy would seldom permit; for Baker, who, of course, did not know the city, had been out for three hours on a trip to the post-office—some fifty yards away. No telling what that fellow’s doing,” he mut- tered. He has grown quite game lately.” At just that moment Baker entered. “Back?” inquired Stanley. Did you take the letter to him?” Just a minute, Jack—let me get my breath. Oh. my boy, mv boy. I’ve had a great time. Let me take your fan. I’m roasting. I met her on the street----” What! ejaculated the other. “Don’t interrupt—and I walked up Main with her—ice cream, chocolates, etc., go along with the fair sex. you know. She’s a veritable goddess, old man: honestly, she’s simply bewitching!” “Unsophisticated idiot! roared Stanley. O. get out. I'm sane, brother; don’t worry. I'm just wound up. that’s all. This little fairy is enough to make anybody happy but you; and of course a mule can’t smile. No use kicking, though, I’m going up to see her this evening.” Never!” exclaimed Stanley. “I’m going.” Meanwhile, Baker had made preparations to shave the second time that day; and his angry host

Page 22 text:

SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR 14 looking, at the same time, to see where there was a fire escape. As soon as they were seated, everybody was un- comfortable; for Miss Douglass was so confused and astonished that she did not know what to say; Miss Carter had discovered something strange in Baker’s manner that worried her; Stanley felt as stiff as a country boy at his first party, under the unusual circumstances; and Baker’s conscience was very active, to say the least. Now. how do you like the West?” asked Miss Carter of Baker. Just my luck,” thought the latter, casting a glance toward Stanley to come to the rescue. Why,” aloud, not much, Alice; the climate is beautiful; the scenery is magnificent, and all that; but I don't like their manners out there---” that was the only thing he could think of. And,” added Stanley, the girls arc uninter- esting.” Cold sweat began to trickle down Baker's fore- head. Why, is that so?” inquired Alice, in a tone of surprise. “Harold said there were many pretty ones there when he came home last year.” Oh. I guess they’re all dead now,” Stanley ex- plained. Baker wouldn’t even look at one this time.” Baker went over to the piano; something had to be done; there was no use talking, Stanley was being a traitor. He tried to play, but lie could not. for the only thing he could think of was “The Girl I Left Behind Me,” and he explained that he had had no practice. Of course,” continued Stanley; “you see, he wouldn’t go to see the girls, and so he hasn’t sat at a piano since he left. He was resolved to lynch Baker while he had a chance, and cure him once for all. Baker, looking wild, made another at- tempt. I thought he liked those Westerners,” said Miss Douglass. I've heard they were charming.” So did I,” added Miss Carter, looking at him where he sat, still at the piano, and perspiring freely. Oh, they’re horrible.” Baker said, rallying. Yes.” continued Jack, beginning to enjoy the affair, they’re not a bit charming—they aren't even pretty; and they arc all alike, too.” “Why!” exclaimed Miss Carter suddenly, “Harold, where’s your ring?” Baker’s hair began to stick out. Oh.” lie said uneasily, I—I—knocked the stone out of it.” “Yes,” explained Stanley, “and. would you be- lieve it, the mishap occurred on the street, and a girl picked it up and was gone before we could ex- plain.” Baker’s forehead glistened. “How unfortunate!” said Miss Douglass, begin- ning to recover from her embarrassment. A measly shame. assented Stanley. Dreadful!” said Miss Carter. Baker stared like a subject being hypnotized. Oh,” he said resolutely, “I don’t like them at all But, Alice, won’t you sing?” You will not care to hear me after Miss Doug- lass has sung,” she answered. We’ll toss a coin to see who sings first,” said Baker, for this was an opportunity not to be lost. The Fates decreed that Miss Carter must be first to entertain. When Miss Douglass' turn came, Stanley’s thoughts went back to a night on the water, when he had heard the song she was singing to the ac- companiment of his guitar, and he thought: That will of her's has not deserted her.” What did I tell you?” said Miss Carter to Baker. Why, she can’t sing half so well as you can,” said Baker. forgetting himself in his ardor. Stanley laughed softly up his sleeve, and remarked to Miss Douglass that Baker seemed very much ab- sorbed to-night, since he had not seen Miss Carter for so long. Yes, she replied, and you should have heard her glowing description of him when I came. One would have thought he had improved remarkably lately.” v )h, he has,” assented Stanley, “even in the past few days.” Baker caught the words, and. wiping his brow, attempted to draw Miss Carter aside to the piano again. Will you excuse me a moment,” said the latter just then, to get some pictures?” and she was gene. Baker saw an opportunity for a final recon- ciliation before Stanley could entirely ruin him, and, without a word, left, a moment later, in pursuit. Stanley began to feel uncomfortable—this was not the way Baker was to act—but he made an at- tempt to keep his head out of water. He looked up to speak, but there stood Miss Douglass bend- ing over a vase of flowers, in the identical position in which he had seen her three years ago, when lie had stolen a final look at her through the window before his voluntary exile. He watched her for several moments, and wondered what her thoughts were. Suddenly Miss Douglass looked up, and as a blush mantled her features that made her trebly beautiful, she silently extended a red rose toward Stanley. “Ethel!” he exclaimed, seizing her hand—but at just that moment Baker and Alice entered, wreathed in smiles, and as Harold instantly com- prehended the situation, he exclaimed ;— Well, well. well. Stanley, what of that oath of bachelorhood?” Methinks I hear a voice cry, 'Can’t a fellow change his mind?’’’ chanted Stanley, whose moroseness had fallen from him like a garment. “Twice, if he wants to.” said the irrepressible Baker, whose horizon at the present moment—alas for Western beauty—reached no farther than the venerable state house in his native city, and whose lode-star was to be found in the dark eyes of a dark- haired maiden.