University School for Girls - Castanon Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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- ,...,.,. it Thus Melusine came with time's course into a land of dark people and much wickedness where Callistion was held prisoner. She begged an audience with the king, a heathen lord, and obtained it, tho' Melusine did not know as much, with ominous facility. Gaignars lay upon a long divan that was covered with a golden cloth. He was a large and insolent person, adorned resplendently in silks and jewels. He did not speak at all while Melusine explained that she had come to ransom Callistion, but only watched her closely. When she had finished, At what price? he asked. And Melusine displayed her jewels. He did not even heed them, but, catching her by one small white wrist, forced her to her knees before him and calmly said, There is one way in which you can procure the freedom of Cal- listion, and only one. I will take you as ransom. Melusine answered with the quiet depths of turbulent rivers, Sire, you demand of me an impossibility. For a moment there was silence and then Gaignars said, It is a bargain. You can do as you see fit. You can ransom him at my price-he will go free. If you refuse I will not hinder you but Callistion will amuse the Court by being pulled into pieces by four wild horses. Here is a girl who will show you to your quarters. Think of my offer. In a while I will send it to you written and you must return it signed, or unsigned, as you wish. It lies in your hands and I will take you at your word. And Melusine departed. Later Melusine read from the yellow parchment with the seal of Gaignars these words: The hand of Princess Melusine will ransom the full freedom of Callistion. If she desires this let her sign below. If there is no signature, it is understood that Callistion will be torn into pieces by four wild horses. Gaignars. A great light shone in the eyes of Melusine and an odd smile played about her lips. She returned the paper signed, f 'il pledge my hand from the moment I see Callistion walk below my windows ree. Melusine. At the appointed hour the people of the Court of Gaignars gathered in the great festival hall of marble and mosaic. Gaignars sat on his huge gold throne attired in green, shot through with gold so that when he moved he looked like some bright sea monster. All was in preparation for the taking on of his new bride, and all was in suspense. Slowly the heavy iron doors swung on their hinges but, alas, it was not yet the bride. It was a page who carried in his hands a large and handsome box of hammered silver with which he knelt before Gaignars. The box was opened. It was lined with purple velvet, on the velvet cushion in it lay a small white hand, severed at the wrist-a promise kept. NADINE WEIL, ,3I Y O U T H Life throbbing in your finger tips, A lump in your throat, Breath pressed 'gainst quivering lips, Ears strained for one note. Heart bursting as if to break, Courage, love, and truth. An aching joy, a joyous ache- 'Tis this I call youth. - Donornv BRAUN, '30 73

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,,r.,..- A PROMISE KEPT It was in a land called Larcretes that a dark-haired, green-eyed maiden loved a fair, brave man. But the maiden, whose name was known as Melusine, was a princess while her lover was a soldier and with a somewhat shady past. He was called Callistion, and by some, The Clever One. Numberless were the ladies who had held an unrequited love for this gallant Callistion, and it was told that some had died for it. But now that Callistion loved, and, as it seemed, so hope- lessly, it was with his whole soul, and Melusine responded. They were walking in the Court of the Sun, a garden in Melusine's quarters, and Callistion played nervously with the glossy ends of Melusine's long hair and he was saying, It seems a crime like those for which men burn in hell to take a love like yours, which I do not deserve, oh Melusine. It is like some vile beggar who, perchance on a hillside, passes a frail flower, and knowing that against his filthy bosom it will die, is too weak to resist, picks it, and goes on. But Melusine only smiled and very quietly replied, It is good that men are weak. Callistion caught her white hand to his lips. Some day, perhaps-but these are idle dreams. Oh, Melusine, if I but knew that you loved me as I love you- it seems impossible! Melusine only listened with untroubled eyes which seemed to plumb his heart and to appraise all Callistion had ever thought or longed for since the day that he was born, and she was as beautiful, it seemed to him, as the untroubled, gracious angels are, and more compassionate. On the next day came news of a new war with the mighty king of a neighbor- ing country, and it was necessary that Callistion depart. They walked again in the Court of the Sun and Melusine was calm. She took a ring of emeralds from her hand and placed it on a golden cord about his neck, because his fingers were too large. While life endures I pledge you faith, and service, Callistion. Now you go, but first I wed you, here in the sight of God, and I bid you return to me, who am your wife and servitor forever, now. I will return, he said. Then in a little while she withdrew her lips from his and he went. For a year the war was waged tirelessly and finally ended, but Callistion did not return. And day after day Melusine walked up and down in the Court of the Sun with unwavering hopes for him. A day came when a young stranger sought audience with Melusine. The princess sat in a high chair capped with a large lion's head in mahogany. It gleamed above her head, but was less glorious than her own hair. The young stranger recounted to her how he had been in Callistion's army and how they had been captured and made slaves together. Afterwards he told of how he had escaped with promises to Callistion to give news of him to Melusine. And now, tho' I am safe, he is still a fettered slave at the Court of Gaignars and I have never seen a braver man, oh Princess! Do not weepf, I lack the time, said Melusine. And when the stranger had gone she went into her chamber and gathered such jewels as would ransom a pope. She plaited her marvelous hair and put on a garment of wine velvet stitched in gold, and, under cover of the ensuing night, slipped from the castle. She took her cream white horse and galloped toward the dawn. For days she rode, sleeping in a forest or at some strange inn. She found no time in which to be afraid or to grieve the estate she was relinquishing so long as Callistion lay in danger. 72

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.fp ,LL-. ,...... ..... THERE ARE FAIRIES This is the story of a little girl who didn't believe in fairies. Now, don't laugh and say that couldn't be true, because it is. But it really wasn't her fault at all. It was her papals and mamma's fault. You see, they were a very modern papa and mamma, and being a modern papa and mamma means bringing their child up according to books. And most books that tell about bringing up a child tell all about just how much milk she should drink and how much cereal she should eat, but don't say a word about fairies! But, too, it wasn't the people who write the books' fault, because sometimes when you get to be old and wise enough to write a book on that sort of thing you become so bookish and ogre-ish you forget all about fairies. Still they don't mind, because they don't like people like thatg but they were very sorry that Patsy Anne, for that was this little girl's name, didn't believe in them, because Patsy Anne was such a nice little girl otherwise. One day, as Patsy Anne was sitting in the garden looking at the holly-hock ladies all nodding in a row fof course she didn't know they were ladies, but she did think they were prettyj suddenly she noticed a great bustle and rustle among the leaves. Looking down she saw the queerest thing, a little wizened old man who very politely took off his hat and bowed to her, bowing so low that his long beautifully-combed beard touched the ground. How do you do?', said he, in the pleasantest of tones, though so little was the sound she had to lean way over to hear him. Very well, thank you. How do you do? Patsy Anne answered, wondering if she should curtsy the way her mother had taught her to. Looking at him she decided no,', for he was so small she was afraid she might frighten him if she should suddenly rise up. The same, ma'am, this queer creature answered. It's a very nice morn- ing, isnlt it? Why, heis like a regular person only very small and oh, so very old, thought Patsy Anne. He talks just like the man that came to visit Papa the other day. Maybe he will stay a while and talk to me, for it is very lonesome here now Mam- ma's away. Of course I'll stay if you'll invite me, suddenly piped up the wee voice. Why-why how did you know what I was thinking? gasped Patsy Anne, a little frightened by this strange happening. All fairies know what is going on in little girls' minds. But there are no fairies. My mother says so. No fairies! Why, I'm a fairy, so there must bel But I know who you are. You are the little girl the fairy queen sent me to find. You are invited to the fairy ball that will take place in the land of blue moonlight when the moon is blue. Thatls tomorrow night, answered the fairy, forgetting his indignation in de- livering his message. A ball! Oh, how much fun! joyously Patsy Anne clapped her hands together. You mean a really truly ball like Mamma goes to all dressed up and with a flower in her hair? But then-maybe she won't let me. I'm afraid she thinks me too young. In fairyland no one is ever too young or too old to go places and have a good time. Don't say a word to anyone and I'll be back for you tomorrow night as the moonlight touches the tip of the sun dial. With this he disappeared as suddenly as he had come. Patsy Anne rubbed her eyes and wondered if she had been dreaming. She looked at the hollyhocks and said, Why, I do believe those are little ladies talk- ing together. Maybe they'll know if it was a dream. And she asked them very 74