St Rose Academy - Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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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

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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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?--e-:gt GoLD AND WHITE fs-U----F- The Eternal Question By ESPERANZA RUELAS Alone but for a pine that swayed near by- As man hath done in every age of yore- He did not heed the breakers on the shore, But stood and hurled his question to the sky. Else in the waves had found his own reply. O tell me what it is that men adore! O silence in my heart, the awful roar Of doubt! The universe sends back the cry And wonders how a man could be so blind With all those works before his very eyes. The answer trembles back from every sod. At last into his unreceptive mind From beauteous earth and from the spacious skies, Doth come the grandeur of its maker, God! if Thoughts By GRETCHEN LINS Wonderfiil, fleeting, fanciful dreams, Echoes and calls from the past, Wz'll 0' the wisps, bright, unserene Coming. going, slow and fast. Never ending, on they fly, Sad or happy, what care they? Never being born, they never die, On they dance, on they play. if Spring Song By BETTY LAUGHLIN When the apple blossom spreads its perfume in the air Each dainty skirt aflutter and bathed in misty dew, Then we know that spring so fair, with garlands in her hair Has come to banish winter and dress the world anew. Thirty-Eve