Stratford Central Secondary School - Collegian Yearbook (Stratford, Ontario Canada)

Page 73 text:

DQl l0Q4lf Q01 COLLEGIAN, I 930 li47llDi0l4ll1ll0l4 7lill4DQ There is no unknown quantity when you link up with The British Mortgage and Trust Corporation Your Savings PLUS our Interest EQUAL Prosperity lQ1!lD:1 CDlCYl1!lC,Df5Q i 7l011lQ1li1P11DQC Nationally Advertised Suite-Custom-Made by KROEHLER KROEHLER MF C. CU. LTD.t sTRA'rFoRo, ONT., and MONTREAL, QUE. iillibliyitbiflilbillitlitfit11tlil!i1llCll4l10l0lll1t l,f

Page 72 text:

COLLEGIAN, I 930 Then about a week ago, I read in the papers, that in recent excava- tions, a mummy had been found, and when opened, a platinum ring was lying on its breast. This ring bore a crest which appeared to be- long to some ancient prince. I knew at last that I had found what I had been seeking, and so I came here to the Louvre yesterday, and begged for a position in the Egyptian room. You saw the rest. That mummy was the girl, the ring contains the liquid by which I shall be able to die, and tonight I go to join my sweetheart. And now I shall show you a door by which you can reach the street. The next day, Dr. Alexander read a notice in the paper which said that a man had been found dead in the Louvre, lying with his arms clasped about a mummy, with a platinum ring in his hand. The particulars were a mystery. Afterwards, Dr. Alexander won- dered if it had all been a dream. THE BETRAYAL By lVIoreen Broad The noonday sun glared with ter- rible red rays upon the dusty squalid little town on the banks of the Sorek. The border sands of the Desert of Shur reflected its white heat. In spite of this, within and outside the walls of the town were active signs of life. By the river several women squatted pounding clothes on the flat rocks, and others were going to and fro through the gates, balancing earth- en jars of water on their heads. In the dirty narrow street naked little savages darted, following with yells and shrieks of derision the laden mule-train passing through. It stopped at the gates, and a swarthy bearded man with glistening shield and spear of bronze stepped for- ward. I-Ie stared at the leader and his lip curled in a sneer. Hlt is you, Lehi. Phah! A dog of an Israelite, and he spat. The aged leader bent his head in reply, I go to Gaza, O Lord, he answered, to trade my humble goods for dyes and wines, I beg you do not hinder me. I must reach Lachish ere night falls. The soldier fingered his dagger and grinned cruelly. HI have a mind -H he said- I would be greatly rewarded by the noble Eshtaol of the Philistines. Then he jerked his hand, Pass on! and the caravan wended its way through the gates and along the dusty highway. Nleanwhile the squat figure of a man moved rapidly along the river bank towards thc town. About his waist was girt the skin of a lion and his long black hair fell to his waist. l-Ie was weaponless, his only defence being those mighty arms and should- ers where the muscles rippled and quivered. On closer approach he slowed his steps and suddenly notic- ing a certain woman Hlling her water jar, he swerved in his path and moved to -the water's edge. On hearing his steps the young woman swung about and faced him. ' 'Samson F You see, Delilah, the man said, I have come back again. The young Philistine maiden's cheeks flushed. A week later Samson held a great feast on his wedding day, but there were several there who held great discontent in their hearts, and who were only feigning joy and happi- ness, Philistines all of them, come to the feast for no other reason than that Delilah was their kinswoman. At the end of the table leaned one whom the others addressed with fawning deference, and eagerly sup- plied his requested needs. His coarse, sensual face was twist- ed with hate, and his eyes glittered -5 3-

Page 74 text:

COLLEGIAN, I930 as he gazed down to the table at the newly wedded pairg Delilah, her cheek flushed with happiness and pride, and Samson, with the heady spicy wines tempting him so strong- ly. A smirking fellow, drink deaden- ing his discretion leaned towards the Philistine and whispered: Come, Shiloh! There is your chance. Get the fool befuddled with wine. It will be an easy capture. Samson, Judge of the lsraelites, tak- en by a prince of the Philistines at his own wedding feast-'Tis a mere passing fancy that has snared De- lilah. A week, a month, and you will be once more in her favour. She knows you love her. It is our mis- fortune and his success that causes him to seem so mighty. Bah!--a few soldiers with good Swords-. What say you? Shiloh's heavy fist with its mon- strous signet hurled the man aside. You fool! You sodden swine! Do you think l would waste twenty of my best men? Did he not alone kill one thousand Philistines at one time? There is another way, there is always a second way, and Shiloh has discovered it. l do but wait, never fear! Have patience and we shall have the lsraelite alive, and in chains. By Dagon, I swear it! A month passed, full of happi- ness and content for Delilah. Since her marriage the Philistines had not offered any violence to her hus- bandis people, nor had Samson com- mitted any further outrages to a- rouse their ire. People were begin- ning to look up to her, and more than once in passing through the streets, she had heard her name coupled with that of Hpeace-maker, and more than one of the oppressed Israelites had invoked blessings on her. Even the fact that she and Samson worshipped different gods did not mar her joy, for he went down the valley, or out into the de- sert to be in solitude with his God. Sometimes she wondered that he ne- ver confided in her, or offered to teach her the worship of Jehovah as he called him. But he did not, so she pushed it far back in her mind, and became busily interested in her household tasks. One day she was astonished and a little displeased to see Shiloh climbing up the rocky path to her home. Since her marriage she had studiously avoided him, for he had been an ardent suitor for her hand. With some dread she went forth tc meet him. Shiloh wore a mingled air of grief and fixed determination, as if he felt the weight of some painful task upon his shoulders. What De- lilah did not see was the gleam of slyness and cupidity in his eyes. Delilah, said he, unfortunately l have discovered something which you ought to know. l did not want to tell you, but l have strict orders from Eshtaol. It is my duty to . . . U ' 'Well ? interrupted Delilah swiftly. Have you knowledge, said Shi- loh, of who killed your father when he was travelling to Gaza three years past? That was easily seen, replied Delilah. It was quickly realized when his body was found that my father had been set upon by rob- bers, slain, and stripped of his gar- ments. What interest does that hold for you? Only this, Shiloh replied, that your father was not slain by thieves. l-lis death was caused by one lsra- elite who, when a riddle was solved by some Philistines at his wedding feast, became mad with anger, and went down to Ashkelon and slew thirty Philistines to give their gar- ments to them that had expounded the riddle. Your father had just passed from the town on his way to Gaza. Undoubtedly he was slain by this madman. Delilah paled. Who, she asked, was that man? -541