St Margarets Academy - Dayseye Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

Page 28 text:

ST. M A R G A R E T ’ S A C A I) E M Y :: Minneapolis, M inn. You see, although innocent, I was accused of------stealing some bonds from my father’s bank. Pal.: But couldn’t you have explained the circumstances which made you appear guilty? Jack: Yes, but for a promise I once made, and because of my father’s anger I absolutely refused to say anything, and ran off and enlisted, thinking the war would put an end to me. And now no one would believe me if I did try to explain. Pat.: I would. (Mr. (j. appears in door, starts to enter, stops and listens.) Jack: (Looks at Pat. gratefully) I am very glad, but (shakes head) I am afraid others would not be as ready to believe my story as you are. Pal.: Please tell me about it anyhow. (Jack seats himself near Pat. and remains silent for a few seconds.) Jack: During my senior year at college, because of a joke played on me by one of my companions, I was accused by the faculty of gambling. I was about to be expelled, when by the intercession of my chum, 1 lerbert Sydney— Pat.: (In surprise) Herbert Sydney? Jack: Yes, do you know him? Pat.: Yes, but please go on. I am very much interested. Jack: As I was saying, by the intercession of my chum, Herbert Sydney, my name was cleared. 1 was so grateful for his act that 1 rashly promised that if he ever needed my assistance in any way he could call on me. After leaving college Herbert and I worked together in Dad’s bank. We were good pals. When the bonds were taken the suspicion must fall on either Herbert or me and he took advantage of my rash promise and shifted the suspicion on to me,—when, as a matter of fact, he was the one who took the bonds. Pat.: (Starting up) Do you mean to tell me that Herl ert Sydney is a thief? Jack: (Putting head on hands) 1 knew you wouldn’t believe me. Pat.: Oh! But I do, and perhaps I can help you. (Draws note from dress.) (Hands it to him.) I found this note on the floor after Herbert had gone home. 1 read it, but diil not understand it then. I kept it, intending to give it to him the next time he came. (Jack reads it and becomes excited.) Jack: This helps clear me of suspicion. (Knter Mr. (».) Path.: If there is any evidence that could possibly clear you, 1 should like to see it. (Jacks whirls on him in surprise and anger—steps back proudly.) Jack: I fear, Sir, that any evidence I might offer would not be accepted by you. Pat.: Please let your father see the paper. (Jack looks at Pat. and then at father.)

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S T . M A R G A R E T S AC A I) E M V M n n c .1 ]i o I i s , M i n n (Exit Herb.) (Pat. seats herself on davenport.) Pat.: I wish my own mother were here to advise me, now. (Sees scrap of paper.) What’s this? (Picks it up and reads.) Herbert must have dropped this. H’m, I wonder who this Alice is? Oh, well, it’s none of my affair. I’ll give it to him the next time he comes. (Puts paper in dress. Walksto table, turns out light. Sits on davenport.) Pat.: (Sleepily) I wish I knew what to say to him. (Head nods, and she is almost asleep.) (Young man is seen fumbling his way in thru door at R. Turns on light and as he does so Pat. awakens, but remains motionless. V. M. approaches mantelpiece, looks at picture.) Y. M.: (To picture) Dear little mother, I must see you. (At sound of voice, Pat. jumps up and looks over back of davenport.) Pat.: Who are you? Y.M.: (Very much surprised) Who are you? Pat.: What are you doing here? Y. M.: Well, what are you doing here? Pat.: I live here. Y. M.: You live here—but I don’t understand—Isn’t this Mr. Goodwin’s home ? Pat.: Yes, but still I don’t understand what you are doing here. Y. M.: 1 came to see Mother. (Pat. looks at him closely.) Pat.: Where have I seen you before? (Breaks off-—runs over to album. Ixx)ks at a picture in album then at Y. M.) Aren’t you—You are—I believe you are,—aren’t you ? Y. M.: (Slightly dazed) Who? Pat.: J ack Good win. Y. M.: Yes—anti you? Pat.: Why, I’m Patricia Lambert; Mr. Goodwin is my guardian. But you, why don’t you live here? Jack: Haven’t you ever heard the story of my disgrace? Pat.: Why, no. I never knew before tonight that there was such a person as Jack Goodwin. Please tell me about yourself. Jack: But are you sure that you would like to hear? Pat.: Certainly. (Seats herselfon davenport.) Jack: (Walking back and forth) It is a little over three years now that it all happened. As I was going through town tonight an overwhelming desire to see Mother came over me, so I came home, and now that I am here—if I could only stav—

Page 29 text:

M A R G A R ET ' S ACAD EMV Mi n n c a poll s, Minn. Jack.: Sir, your opinion of my guilt or innocence matters little to me now, but since she asks it, I will show the evidence. (Proudly hands paper to father.) (Father reads it to himself and then aloud.) Mr. G.: Mr. Herbert Sydney, New York. Have gotten rid of bonds at last. Meet me 9:30, Grand Central Station tomorrow for money. Alice (Silence) Mr. G.: My son, I am sorry. (Pat. looks at Jack pleadingly. He takes his father’s hand.) Mr. G.: We must get that scoundrel here before he leaves in the morning. Pal.: I have it! I will call him and tell him to come for his answer. (Laugh- ing) I know he will come immediately. (Exit Pat.) (Mother’s voice is heard.) Moth.: Hilda, what’s all this disturbance in the library? Hi .: Ay don’t know, Mam., but just a little while ago I saw a man going into the library and I ran and hid ’cause Ay was scared to death. (Enter Mother.) Jack: Mother! Mrs. G.: Jack! (They embrace.) (Re-enter Pat.) Pat.: He’ll be here in a minute. (Enter Hilda very much frightened.) Hi : Have—them robbers—left anything atall, Mam? I tot they were going to take the whole house with them, and I couldn’t stop 'em! Mr. G.: It’s all right, Hilda. We’re just having a little family reunion. (Doorbell rings.) Pat.: There he is now! Hilda, go and let Mr. Sydney in. Hi .: Vy don't that faller move here. He’s here most of the time anyway, and ay have to keep going to the door to let him in. Pat.: I think this is the last time you will have to let him in, Hilda. Mrs. G.: 1 knew that my prayers would not be in vain. Jack: They say that a Mother’s prayers are always answered. (Enter Herb.) Herb.: Patricia, my darling! Pat. Here is my answer. (Taking ring from table) And now there is someone else who would like to speak to you. Herb.: (Looks around in surprise. Stares at Jack.) YOU! Jack: Yes, I.