University of Santa Clara - Redwood Yearbook (Santa Clara, CA)

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22 THE REDWOOD mad at him now, he hasn ' t written for two days. Mr. Adrian advanced to where she stood. Looking at the lovely girl be- fore him, he understood the affection of his son and also why under every pillow and marking every book in the library were verses, ' ' In the Orchard, ' ' Fair Wintertime, To my Love, Sweet Marie . Mr. Adrian, you stopped me. I think you ought to talk to me, re- proached Marie, becoming uneasy at his continued silence. Oh, I remember now, enthused Mr. Adrian, breaking from his reverie. I wanted to show you the paper about Claude. 4i When the gigantic pyre rose in a shower of flame and glowing cinders, the Senior police guarding O ' Melveny and Lacquerre locked them in the guest-room — 53 of Junior Hall, and joined the loyal voices that shook the night with their love. Mixed with the keen faces of the students were many alumni, old acquaintances that wrinkled in delight when the ties roared and snapped and youthful voices prolonged the cheering. The noise abruptly stop- ped, and all eyes turned toward Duke, asking silence from the cheer plat- form. Fellows, he spoke loud and clear, We are all happy tonight. It seems great to have such loyal support and for the team I thank you. There is one thing more I want to do and that is to thank the plucky little junior that saved our bacon for tonight. Whoever is near Claude Adrian — bring him up here. Turning one to another, the boys searched earnestly. Duke, waiting ex- pectantly, chanced to look toward Ju- nior hall. The only one in the build- ing — a light burned dim in 51. As he watched a stealthy group of oddly dressed figures stole from the shadow of the building and, struggling with a heavy burden, made their way behind a screen of pepper trees toward a side- door of the gym. Left alone by the Senior guard, the two Leland prisoners heedless of the noise without, sought refreshment in a heavy sleep. But Desmond O ' Melveny was the name of one boy, and Claude Adrian knew it. While the rest of the school were making their way from chapel to the scene of the rally, Claude ' s deft fingers, in the shower room, were transforming six students of Valley into an equal number of fe- rocious Roman legionaries. It ' s a shame to slit this Valley banner, but it will make Fat Chesario the toughest looking Roman that ever wore a toga. How about me? hissed Slicker McNeil from behind a selection of tastefully hung bedroom rugs. I hate to spoil a perfectly good cuspidor on you, Arbuckle, but it will make a wonderful helmet. ' Don ' t think it a minute, protested

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THE REDWOOD 21 inspiration from the journeying moon that rose a crescent in the sky. The effect was immediate. His sleeply roommate observed his fingers to twitch nervously; his hair waved strangely in the night ' s breath and weird references to Cleopatra, the ivory palace of the Nile, impassioned words from the heart of Antony followed from Claude ' s moon-kissed lips. Suddenly the dreamy rapture ceased, he sprang to the bedside of his room- mate and shouted: ' They ' re coming, quick get up. They ' ll burn every- thing. ' ' Who, the Romans? asked the tired one. No! Fellows from Leland, quick, get up ! In another minute he had aroused all the junior division. With a speed that delighted the heart of Father Pre- fect, the cry, All Out cleared the building and as Desmond and Clar- ence searched furiously for misplaced matches the angry mob was upon them. Crown ' em, roared one husky; Down with the Slickers, piped an- other; Into the tank, gained most favor, and sturdy arms were rushing the disgruntled pair to the Gym when Duke and the Senior Police squad ar- rived to quell the riot. Out of the way, you rats, the voice of Duke seldom rose in anger, but now he meant business. Is this the way you treat strangers? he roared. Striding through the excited juniors to the Leland boys he lifted both bodily over the crowd, the police squad formed about him and conducted them to the Banquet Room. Expecting punishment more brutal than that promised by the juniors, Desmond and Clarence were ill at ease. Unable to explain their forcible introduction to the dining room they settled sheepish- ly into chairs assigned them and glared sullenly at their captors. Presently rather savory whiffs became sensible in the air. Their pride forbade looking around since the captors remained sto- lid. For ten minutes the strained situ- ation continued. Hurrah, shouted the police and following the direction of their glances the Leland boys beheld Duke advanc- ing with a sizzling plate of steaks; be- hind him assistants with coffee and frosted cake. Next morning the City papers had it. Claude Adrian ' s name edged out the glaring war headlines and all political gossip was crowded to second page. The daring attempt of Leland and the chivalrous entertainment provided by Valley boys held the entire stage. Marie, called a quiet voice from the shade of a clump of oleanders. Aren ' t you out rather early this morning? Marie, walking past the Adrian home in Milpitas, paused and turned demurely at the greeting. Mr. Adrian, you startled me, your voice is so much like Claude ' s. I am

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THE REDWOOD n that worthy. Let Percy Williams wear it, he ' s going to Arizona any- way. Words were vain. ' ' Alright, growled Arbuckle, ' ' you ' ll have to support the family when I am gone. Now for a Cleopatra make-up. Won ' t we throw a scare into Desmond Antony O ' Melveny? While speaking Claude disconnected the white canvas shower curtains, darped himself grace- fully in them, twined loud neckties about his head and ended with pink pajama legs cinctured fantastically about his waist. Standing in relief against the marble walls Cleopatra ad- dressed his followers. Friends, Romans, Countrymen. This man hath wronged me much. When I stood lonely on the Arcade did not my trunk at this base friend ' s designing, betray before the multitude, my boudoir ' s inmost heart? Again? upon that day when last Milpitas saw my corpse, when I bid my lady fond adieu, this mongrel with his Leland pups, our parting cleft and T, there- fore, I am still a youth unkissed. The glowing tongues of the rally-fire hissed and darted wild in the air. A slight wind stirring the curtains re- vealed Roman helmets glinting in the electric light. Soon a legion of Rom- ans, lead by Cleopatra emerged, stalked majestically along the balcony and disappeared in the darkness of 53. Arise Desmond, too long ye play me false. The sepulchral tone brought O ' Melveny to his senses. Get the h — 1 out of here, he roar- ed; three Roman soldiers choked the words on his lips. His fellow prisoner writhed in the embrace of manilla hemp. Great Antony this night I have you fast. The raucous crocodile shall crush you to his food and ancient Nile shall roll your rotting bones. Away, good men, betake you to the Nile, there cast him in and I will gloat the while. The squad hurried from Junior Hall and with their human burden hastened towards the gym. Pausing at the door they gave voice to howls of joy, en- tered the plunge room, enacted hoary rites over their cringing victims and two ominous splashes echoed through the silent building as Duke and the Se- nior police entered the plunge-room door. You little devil, laughed Duke as Claude twisted and fought in his arms. We ' ll send you to the Ship for thirty days for this. You know, Claude, I warned you to let those fellows alone. Claude quieted down, and Duke, leav- ing his assistants to care for the Leland boys, carried Claude in his Cleopatra make-up across the campus to the fire around which the boys were practicing rooting. Taking him up onto the plat- form, Duke raised his hand. The tit- tering crowd at once grew silent. Fellows, I wanted Adrian a few minutes ago, to thank him for saving the fire for us. I ' ve got him now, but I ' m sorry to say the Senior police have given him thirty days in the Ship for