Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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i6 SOMi-:rvilli-: high school radiator THE DUKE OF THORWALDEN. By C. Sherwood Ricker, L., '04. ADV DUXMORDEN sat meditatively j j gazing into the depths of the fitfully- XI lighted fireplace in the library of Dun- 'r’ElS T)| morden Castle, as the varying Ec shadows of twilight chased away the final rays of a late fall afternoon. An ejaculation of the Lady brought her wander- ing thoughts to her present surroundings. She took off her glasses and rubbed the lenses with sup- pressed excitement. Her eyes snapped, and her ill-shaped mouth twitched itself into a cynical smile. “A fine idea! He has the bearing of a noble- man. she ventured aloud, as she rose and pulled the bell rope. The folding doors opened. Madame, you called, said the butler. Yes. John, come in and close the door. I would have a word with you. Is there any one without? No. madame. all the servants are below.” Very good, be seated. I am about to take you into my confidence.” Thank you. Will you promise absolute secrecy? she asked, warming to her topic. Most assuredly, madame.” Are you willing to take the principal part in a practical joke I am about to play? she questioned, beginning in this interrogative manner. Your will is my pleasure, and a practical joke is always amusing.” the butler answered, a suave smile parting his thin lips. Good—now listen. For mv own reasons, which will in time evolve and make themselves clear to you, I am going to introduce you to the nobility hereabout as the Duke of Thorwaldcn. I will fur- nish you with money, clothes, and a valet. You must betake yourself to London this night with money I shall give you. and prepare yourself to re- turn within a fortnight, a guest, my nephew, the Duke of Thorwaldcn. Put on your best manners: I credit you with these, and from appearances now, I am sure you will be exceptionally good-looking when you have on some respectable clothes. Re- member. send me word now and then by post as to your progress, and, believe me, if you make this a success. I will handsomely reward you.” Madame, the privilege is sufficient unto itself. Shall I go and prepare immediately?” Yes, John, immediately, then return to me. Enter without knocking.” “So far. so good.” she soliloquized. “Lady Evelyn Ashmead shall now feel the potency of my will. She has trodden on and snubbed me for the last time. Xo longer shall that young girl scarcely out of her teens steal away my friends.” The old lady was working herself up into a fine wrath, all on account of the above-named young lady, who had personal injury to Lady Dunmorden far from her thought. Unconsciously, it is true. the social circle of Lady Dunmorden had dwindled away upon the ascendance of this new social star, till now Lady Ashmead had eclipsed the former so- ciety queen. Sorely to heart had the elder lady taken this deal of fate, and though openly they passed as friends, still Lady Dunmorden secretly coveted the first chance to herald the downfall of her social enemy. The other, on the contrary, not well versed in the intrigues of jealousy, failed to comprehend the elder lady's manner, and. in an endeavor to conciliate the half-latent dislike, never once forgot to request her presence at every function. Tims the social feud stood. The butler returned, received her final instruc- tions. and started for London. In the meantime, cards came out announcing a very select ball at Gainsborough Hall, the summer residence of Lady Evelyn Ashmead. Lady Dunmorden answered that most sincerely she thanked Lady Ashmead for such honored rec- ognition. but regretted to add that, owing to the ar- rival of a nephew whom she had not seen since he was a mere boy. she felt that her attention and time would be entirely absorbed in his pleasure. The letter of the elder lady worked beautifully. The following morning she tore open a second communication, which read: I should consider it in the nature of an honor could Lady Dunmorden’? nephew accompany his aunt. The latter lady hurriedly scratched off an accept- ance. That’s done. she murmured. The fortnight came to a close, and the Duke of Thorwaldcn was regally installed in Dunmorden Castle. The advent of a duke, and especiallv a near rela- tive of Ladv Dunmorden, was an event extraordi- nary upon the social planet. So when the austere Lady entered the ballroom of Gainsborough Hall upon the arm of the new invader,” for such was he in the social vocabulary, all eyes were riveted upon the door. A tall, spare man. of decidedly soldierly appeal - ance. accompanied the mistress of Dunmorden Castle. In an evening dress uniform, with gold- hilted sword at his side, he carried himself with dig- nity. The Lady at his side beamed upon all. and intro- duced her nephew. 'Hie spacious ballroom scintil- lated in the flickering light of a thousand candles. Society arrayed in its most seductive and superb trappings was present; everything was in one splendid glow. The hostess stood at one end of the hall attired in black. Her white throat sparkled with jewels. The black gown exhibited to advan- tage the soft lines of an exquisite form. Lady Evelyn certainly looked beautiful. One could easily sec why the followers of Lady Dunmorden had deserted to the standard of this beautiful

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SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR '5 through the woods, till you strike the railroad track. A ten minutes’ walk will bring you to the station. Here—take this,” and she pressed a small purse into his hand,—“good-by.” 'I'he man stood still a moment. Then he came close to her and took her hands in his so tightly that he hurt her. lie spoke huskily. Words can- not thank you.” he said. “You don’t—you can’t know how much you’ve done for me. I cannot thank you. You haven’t asked my name, but I’ll tell you. I am Sam Holt—I was charged with em- bezzlement. but I am innocent. Some day, when I’ve proven it. I’ll come back.” He held her hands a moment longer. “Good-by,” he said, good-by, and disappeared out through the little door and into the woods. The girl stood still a while, then, bending down, she picked up the little purse which he had re- fused. A year had passed, and the same 1’arbara sat on the same little white piazza as when her strange. unbidden guest of a summer previous had ac- costed her. She was thinking now of that guest, as she had thought so often since lie left her that early summer morning. The blood surged into her cheek at the remembrance of how he had taken her hands, he—a stranger. Suddenly the little wicket gate clicked. She lifted her head. A tall form came quickly up the walk to the very place where that other figure had come that summer evening before. He came up the steps, and as the girl arose, he said. You see. I have kept my promise. I have come back a free man. A few months ago. the man for whose crime I was imprisoned died, leaving a statement of his deed, thus freeing me from all blame. And so I have come back to you. Barbara. he said, will you renew that acquaintance made on that summer evening a year ago? Has it seemed such a long, lonely year to you as to me? For answer, the girl smiled into those same earnest, determined eves. Yes, she said, just as long. Baseball Reception. On June 26 the Alumni gave a reception to the members of the victorious baseball team. There were numerous speeches made, and all pertained more or less to athletics. Among those who spoke were Mr. Baxter, Mr. Whitcomb, Mr. Jones, Rep- resentative Luce, Eddie Dc Almeida, and a few other men. The Oajaca batting trophy was awarded to Leo llafford, for having attained the highest batting average of any member of the team. Lawrence Mitchell and Edwin Philbrick had charge of the stereopticon views of former football and baseball teams. Singing under the direction of Mr. Had- ley was enjoyed, and the evening completed by cheering. ------------------------- Resolutions. Whereas, by the Divine will of God, our friend and classmate, Ina G. Harding, has been taken from us; and Whereas, we. the class of 1906. have learned of her death with grief, we hereby offer resolutions of sympathy with her parents, who mourn her loss. ARTHUR R. CORWIN, President. IRMA CHRISTOPHER. Secretary. Presence cf Mir.d. He— I understand that you arc to be congratu- lated.” She— No. The engagement is broken off.” He— That is what 1 heard.”—Somerville Journal. Visitor— You haven’t got half as nice a ceme- tery here as we have in Elmville.” Prominent Citizen (of Hawville)— No; I’ve always heard that the cemetery is the only part of your town that holds out any inducements for per- manent residents.”—Chicago Tribune. When you want advice, always ask it of your enemy, and then go and do the opposite.—Somet - ville Journal. An Infant Prodigy. Has Hairovitch always shown a talent for music?” Yes; even as a child he cried every time his hair was cut. —Life. D’ye know. Hooligan, you look like the divil wid a mustache. Yis; I’m goin’ to shave it off. Lave it on: yez’ll look worse widout it. —Life. Perhaps You Know H:m. Lawson— Hicks is absent-minded, isn’t he? Dawson— Yes; I lent him ten dollars two years ago. and he hasn't thought of it once since.”— Somerville Journal.

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SOMERYTLLL HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR '7 woman. She had the tactful speech, the grace, and the courteous attention of an experienced hostess. At the close of the reception, the Duke stepped to the side of Ladv Ashmead. It was extremely kind of you. Lady Ashmead, to arrange for my presence in this delightful company.” “We considered it an honor. Your Highness, to be so fortunate in obtaining your company this evening. Believe me. it was a pleasure most as- suredly ours,” she replied. Lady Dunmorden watched her alleged nephew with a critical eye. He was carrying himself above all her expectations. He danced gracefully; his compliments were charming. To her surprise, she overheard him speaking comprehensively upon the vital topics of the day. and noted with a keen sense of delight that the Duke and Lady Ashmead had taken a mutual fancy to each other. Upon all sides Lady Dunmorden s nephew had created the desired effect. The morning after the ball at Lady Ashmead's, the elderly I ady called her nephew to her apart- ments, and remarked upon his clever bearing of the night previous, lie asked no questions relative to the practical joke, and she ventured no light upon the climax. The stop of the Duke was indefinitely prolonged at Dunmorden Castle. Every one averred that a great friendship had sprung up between Lady Evelyn and the titled visitor. They were together almost all the time. Lady Dunmorden was all beams and smiles. Nevertheless, for some reason or other, a state of impatience soon developed. She would play her final card. Announcements were forthcoming that Ladv Dunmorden would give a ball in honor of her nephew, who would soon make his departure. The Duke, universally liked, was honored by a large gathering. He scarcely left the side of Lady Evelyn that evening. Lady Dunmorden deftly contrived so that Lady Evelyn and the Duke were in the conservatory among the fragrant flowers al- most all the evening. Shortly before the company entered the banquet hall, the Duke sought the side of Lady Dunmorden There was a happy, yet malicious, twinkle in his eye. “Lady Evelyn has promised to become mv wife.” he whispered. The elder Lady started noticeably. Really.” she ventured, “very good 1” He did not wait for further congratulations, but again sought the woman in the conservatory. It was an hour before they both returned. All were in the banquet hall, and the hostess called for wine. The Countess of Warwick offered a toast to the departing Duke. The Duke gracefully re- plied. “My distinguished friends, you have been most flattering in your attentions toward me during my visit with my dear aunt. I shall treasure the memory of the kindnesses I have received, and now it may not be out of place to ask you to toast the fairest of women. Lady Evelyn Ashmead—the one who,” he paused, the color deepened in his face, the one who has promised to become my wife. Unanimous was the acclamation of approval. Lady Dunmorden’s chance had come. She must now recognize her butler. As the ripple of pleasant excitement subsided, she arose, flushed and agitated. That man is my servant—my butler. You have been tricked— duped—deceived: and he has proposed to Lady Evelyn. Ha-ha! —she laughed hysterically— and she could not see it. She fall in love with a butler, ha. ha. a pitiable farce! “Stop!” cried the Duke, his face paie with anger. Enough! Say not another word!” Every one drew back. Lady Evelyn alone re- mained at his side. Swords were drawn. Several gentlemen rushed upon him. Lady Evelyn stepped between them and the Duke, with a proud look of defiance on her radiantly beautiful face. The Duke became calm. “Gentlemen, give me your attention and restrain yourselves. Not long ago I. my Lady’s butler, was called into the pres- ence of this honored Lady.” he said, pointing toward Lady Dunmorden. late one afternoon. She said. 'I have a practical joke I should like to play: you are to take the principal part.' Just what the principal part was. I did not then know. I. however, was to appear as you have seen me. Not long after I saw the extent of that cruel joke, which was a mixture of malice and revenge against Lady Evelyn—but I had a part to play apart from that of my mistress. Here are legal papers, which I obtained when in London preparing for this fine joke. These prove I am the son of the late Duke of York, whose infant son was lost in a shipwreck off the coast of Scotland. I was picked up and reared by a peasant. It is unnecessary to go into details. I have arranged within a month to take up my position in the dukedom. T should never have followed up the suit of this fair lady, after I had learned the cruelty of the plan, had I not deemed myself in a position to do so. Lady Evelyn has been aware of my position for some time. Gentlemen. I leave you to pass judgment upon this hypocritical woman—and I pardon vour hastiness in drawing swords.” Hard Luck. Did you have a good time at Raspberry Park, dear?” Guest— I should say not. Every man there was either leading a new life, or pushing it in its go-cart.”—Life. Thomas Dixon. Jr., is the author of “The Only Woman.” a book from which the following quota- tion is taken: Across the huge oak mantel he had carved the sentence: T am an old man now: I've had lots of trouble, and most of it never hap- pened.’”—Saturday Evening Herald.