Stamford Union Free School - Camera Yearbook (Stamford, NY)

Page 30 text:

She thinks-'l began Lake. Mrs. Larcon checked him. '6See,', she cried, there they aref, She pointed through the window and Lake saw the girl he loved come slowly down the street beside a tall, handsome looking fellow. He arose unsteadily and said, I will have a smoke in the garden. He hurriedly left the room and once in the garden he dropped down on an old bench and pondered until he was nearly distracted. Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by soft voices. Grace was saying, George, dear, tomorrow I shall be proud to be your wife. Why should he permit another to take advantage of that false mes- sage from the distant North? He went back to the Inn, where he found Grace and Calvin standing in the hall. The girl turned as Lake came through the door and smiled at him. Mother told me about you, sir, said Grace. She said that you would be staying at the Inn for a time. There' was not a shade of recognition in her eyes. Then Lake retired to a corner where he watched the preparations for dilnner, unobserved. So this man, George Calvin, was rich. He was one who could give her more than he, John Lake. What was a little gold after all? He was just a Wayfarer in the world. He was about to tell her that he was John Lake, but he drew back for that might shatter her happiness. He had brought her jewelry and had thought only of her, but she had forgotten him and believed him dead. She 'came over to him and spoke. You are from the North, I sup- pose? Yes, I am from the North. You are going back? Yes, very soon, very soon. Both his hands and voice quivered as he said, I have not paid for your hospitality, and saying this he laid a large piece of gold upon the table. I may be gone in the morning early.', i You speak so sadlyf' said Grace. She was happy, why should he hurt her by letting his identity be known? He had been through self denial in the solitude of the North. In the little room which had been allotted to him, he sat down and wrote a message:

Page 29 text:

him and he still had her promise, a promise which had cheered him during hard times in the cruel North. He had suffered up there, but he had won. Better to have endured exile and win, than to go through life in complacent peace. He moved slowly toward the lnn door. What a place of rest after his strife! John Lake entered the Inn and set down his heavy burden to stretch his arms. Yes, it was good to be there. Then he heard the sound of voices, and Mrs. Larcon, looking somewhat older than when he had seen her before, entered. Good day, Sirfi she said, Hwhat can I get for youfw John Lake stared at the woman who had always been so kind to him. Get me?,' he faltered. He looked illg ill as well as ragged and worn. She did not know him, this thought flashed to his mind. Then his long stay up there in the far North must have changed him more than he realized. It was natural for Bill not to recognize him, but Mrs. Larcon, who had been almost a mother to him in the past, dealt him a severe blow. Lake again tried to speak. nl would like something to eatf' he said. 4'Yes, sirf' said the landlady, and she hurried to prepare the meal. She was inquisitive, but nevertheless a tactful woman, who would not rush questions at a dejected man who wanted time to think. 'LYou are from abroad, sir?,' she said at last. 4'Yes,', he said, 'gl have been away a long time. Have you been here long?'7 Yes, sir,', Mrs. Larcon went on, as though glad to tell her griefs to one who might sympathize with her. I thought of going away a year ago so that my daughter might be able to forget after her illness. Your daughter? Was she ill? The woman did not notice the tense feeling underneath his words. NYfs, the poor girl nearly died, but she is alright now and is happy again. It was best. Her wedding day is tomorrow. We thought she would never forget the death of the man she loved, yet she will be happy with George Calvin. He was good to us. A very rich man, who did all in his power to aid us during our time of sickness. George is a true man and he loves her.', 5'Your daughter thinks her lover is dead?,' he asked huskily. 4'There can be no doubt of it. The news was brought by some one who was wifth him in the North. Poor Jack Lake. He was a good fellow, but she will be happier with the man she has chosen now.

Page 31 text:

Dear Miss Larcon, I think that I should let you know that I knew John Lake. You were always foremost iin his thoughts and his last request was that I bring you this jewel. Before Lake sealed the note he put a beautiful diamond brooch in it and wrote on the outside in bold hand writing, 6'Miss Larconf' She would find this in the morning, and by that time he would be far away. No one heard him leave as he crept stealthily out into the gray dawn. As he was on the road, there came over his face a sad smile, one of defeat. In a few short hours wedding bells would be ringing and there would be great rejoicing in her home, while he, John Lake, trudged on alone through the many years to come. -CORNELIUS BROWN '28 SCHOOL NOTES SENIOR RECEPTION The annual Senior reception was held in the gymnasium a week or two after school was resumed in September. The Freshmen were bedecked with green ribbons so that other members of the school could distinguish them more easily. In order not to make the evenimng too formal, games were directed by '6Prof Wilson. The Freshmen considered the eats the high spot of the evening. By the time the evening was over, the members of Stamford Seminary were better acquainted. CHRISTMAS PLAY A Christmas play, The Crosspatch Fairies, was presented December 23, 1926, in the Churchill Gymnasium. The cast included members of the first seven grades. The play was under the direction of Miss Folger, and by her talent the play was really a good one. STAMFORD SEMINARY PRIZE SPEAKING CONTEST The Prize Speaking Contest was held in the Gymnasium on Thursday evening, May 5.