St Rose Academy - Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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--- --if GOLD AND WHITE It Was Ever Thus By LILLIAN ARATA T was a glorious spring afternoon and the dusty little mid-western town seemed to be basking drowsily in the warm sun. The main street was deserted except for a young girl who was slowly walking past the sleepy Stores. With head up, eyes directly ahead she walked, seemingly oblivious of all around her. At the end of the short street she turned and entered the dingy Post Office. 'Lo, Tom, she said carelessly to the boy at the desk, any mail for me? Oh, hello Pat! exclaimed the boy and his face lit up joyously at the sight of her. I think there is, let's see-Mrs. Williams, Mr. Peters-gosh, I'm sure I saw a letter here for you, he said, hastily running through the pile of mail at his elbow. Nope, I must have been wrong-there's none for you, Pat, he declared looking up at her with a boyish grin. Thanks, she murmured and turned to go. 'iOh I say, he called after her, wait a minute will you, if you're going home. I'm leaving now so I'll walk with you. That's if I may, he added, laughingly. She shrugged her shoulders indifferently but Tom apparently didn't notice this: he was too eagerly closing the store. Tom talked and laughed gaily as the two went along the country road, and Pat walked quietly by his side preoccupied and silent. They came to a grassy knoll deliciously green and shaded by a huge Sycamore tree. Tom hailed the knoll with delight and taking his companion by the hand he ex- claimed: Come on, Pat, here's our favorite spot, Let's sit down for awhile, Still indifferent, still careless, Pat flung herself on the soft grass, and Tom quickly followed suit. For a time they sat there in silence, Pat dreamily gazing at the sky, Tom just as dreamily gazing at her, S'matter Pat? he said at last. You seem rather gloomy today. Any- thing wrong? With a little gesture of despair Pat sighed heavily and turned her face toward his. I feel gloomy, she said, and I just can't help it. Oh, I'm so sick of this town. I hate it so. If I could only go somewhere else to live, any place, anywhere but here! and her eyes filled with hot resentful tears. Aw, Pat, said the boy and a troubled look came over his face, don't feel like that. Gosh, I think it's keen here. Anyway I wish you weren't downhearted, Come on, Pat, he urged, cheer up, please. cheer up and smile. I-le coaxed, he cajoled, he pleaded with her and at last Pat had to smile. You're funny, Tom, she said to him. Ever since I can remember you've been telling me to cheer up and you're so happy yourself you make me cheer up. Tom grinned delightfully, Yeh? Aw, I like to see you happy. Gee, when you smile you look keen, honestly you do-you look, well you look awfully nice, he iinished rather lamely, Pat ignored the compliment and rising lazily glanced at the watch on her wrist. It's getting late, Tom, she said, 'land I must go. You needn't come though. I'll take the short cut across the fields. Then she added generously, yet not too warmly, Come on over tomorrow afternoon, Tom. Thirty- three

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-l----Q24 GOLD AND WHITE Of a sudden she was master of herself again, awakened by a crash and a scream. Vaguely she heard both. and some latent instinct within her made her struggle hard for consciousness and light, After what seemed endless ages of forgetfulness she groped her way to the door. She tugged at it, forgetting the lock, till the rusted latch gave way and she burst out into the evening coolness. Fresh breezes fanned her face and whipped the life blood through her veins again. She saw, then, the cause of the sound. A giant plane had crashed to the earth, crushing one wing to its side. She gazed in a kind of fascination at it. Crippled wings! So like this would her own have become if . . . She shud- dered, and stumbled over to the cockpit of the plane, The pilot-a mere lad-lay in an unconscious heap half out of it. The tears sprang to the eyes that had been dry for many a year. Once more there was something worth while to do. She carried the boy into the house, and laid him tenderly on the bed. ff if ak Three weeks later, Emily Marston sat contentedly sewing by a window. She had called him Boy ever since that first meeting. Now he opened his blue eyes slowly and looked at her. With a smile that lit up his whole face and hers, too, had she but known it, he whispered impulsively, Let's grow our wings together, Gran! She smiled tremulously. Had he read her heart? Her soul, released from its frozen bonds. seemed to go on sure, steady wings-soaring high above the surge of life, dipping and sailing among the white clouds, the rose-and- golden-sunset flames. is W ings By ESPERANZA RUELAS In the far-flung domains of thunder. Piercing the black-robed sky, The knights of the air greet the combat Shouting the eagle's war-cry. The silver-winged sons of Hermes Exult in their new-found power. Mother Earth has kept them by her But this is sire lVlercury's hour. The storm meets the fleet earth-children But retreats from their onward roar, Which rivals her age-old death cry And heralds a new-born war. The children of earth have conquered, They have tried their wings and won, With a flash of flying silver They have greeted the rising sun. Thirzy-two

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GOLD AND WHITE The boy didn't seem to mind her rudeness nor her abruptness. I-Ie only noticed that she was tall and slim, that her hair was curly and gorgeously black and that she walked so proudly, so erect. And with frank admiration and affection in his eyes he watched her until she was completely out of sight. The next afternoon at Pat's request, she and Tom walked to the grassy knoll, their lifelong favorite spot. And this time Pat was the one who talked and laughed happily while Tom, awed and delighted at the change in her, walked silently at her side catching every word, every phrase that fell from her red lips. With her slim, young shoulders propped against the tree trunk Pat motioned the adoring Tom to sit beside her and in a voice that was lively and clear she began: 'ATommie, I'm so happy I could just shout! and her blue eyes literally snapped with excitement. At last I'm going away from here. I'm going to live in Boston. Just think, Tommie, Boston! Eagerly vivacious she leaned forward. Aunt Elizabeth telegraphed this morning. lVlr. Higgins brought the message. And Tom, Mother and I are to leave this miserable place forever! I'm to leave tomorrow and Mother will come next week, she explained, and I'm to go to a hnishing school and have gorgeous clothes and I'll meet people, wonderful educated people and handsome young-oh, they'll be so handsome- On and on she rambled, weaving beautiful dreams while the boy, bewildered, yet unselfishly glad, marvelled at her radiant beauty and her sudden fortune. They were silent for a short while. Then Pat's voice like a clear crystal bell broke the stillness. 'iTom, she said, remember all of the times you've cheered me ever since I was a small girl, and yesterday when I was so down- hearted? But, she added brightly, all of the cheering will be needless from now on, Tom. I'll be gloriously happy now! Rising from her grassy perch she turned to the boy who had scrambled to a place beside her. She extended her cool hand toward him saying: I'd better go now and I guess this will be good-bye because I'll be leaving so early tomorrow. If I ever come back I'll look you up. You've been so nice and l'll never forget your wonderful kindness, she murmured sweetly. A brief handclasp, a fleeting smile and Pat was gone, leaving Tom standing on the little knoll straining his eyes to watch her disappear, Once she turned and waved to him, then her young form completely vanished from sight. With a sudden muttered cry the boy started forward. Pat, Pat, he called loudly, hysterically, and then just as suddenly he stopped short, a hard mirthless laugh escaping from his lips. Tom, he said aloud, don't be such a fool. Pat's all right. She's happy. She won't need you any more now, he pleaded, his voice breaking, A'Cheer up, Tom, just cheer up and smile! The Violet By BETTY LAUGHLIN Once among the pastures green Lay a violet in purple gown. About her grass and flowers grew, Her blanket was the silvery dew. She looked so small and dainty there That the fairies gaue her a perfume rare. Thirty-four