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

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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

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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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24 THE REDWOOD ducking the Leland boys, — but we thank— ' ' Where ' s Claude Adrian? shrilled a high thin voice. Telegram for Claude Adrian. The Western Union boy advanced, tall and lean, through the throng, and at Duke ' s command as- cended the platform. Fearing bad news the crowd grew silent. All eyes rested on Claude. With a long finger- nail he ripped open the envelope and by the leaping firelight made out the message. A galaxy of delight spread over his countenance, and turning to Duke with a thril of confidence, he whispered, Do you want to read it? The big varsity captain bent over the typewritten sheet. The suspense was over and the boys fell again into talk and laughter. Duke conferred again with Claude. Fellows, Duke spoke kindly. There ' s a day letter here from Mil- pitas. I ' m going to read it to you. Claude you are my glorious hero. When you come to Milpitas I ' ve still got the ONE you missed when we said good-bye, always MARIE. Forbidding the cheer that almost broke forth, Duke continued: I ' ve just had an idea. If this little lady in Milpitas thinks so much of Claude, why shouldn ' t we? Shall we keep him in the Ship? Not a voice answered. Shall we turn him loose? An explosion, bursting into the night, shook the foundations of the Infirmary. Brother Constantine rose from beneath an overturned chest of medicine, stag- gered from the trembling building and ran to the feet of venerable Dean Rich- ards. Dean, the earth is quaking, cried Bro. Constantine, heaving with emo- tion. No, my son, the aged astronomer spoke slowly, they are cheering for Claude Adrian.