Versailles High School - Portal Yearbook (Versailles, OH)

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PAGE TWENTY-FIVE Tfia© Mysfoeriotuis Ewial One evening late in the spring, -Mary Belle sat in the porch swing idly turning the pages of the latest fashion magazine. She was a blue-eyed, brown-haired girl of sixteen, very short and slender. A popular movie had been widely advertised and was scheduled for that evening at the opera house. Mary was waiting for her old pal. Gene. ITe had told her at school that ho was going down to Webster after school to collect some wild flowers that grew along Stillwater, and would probably be late. Gene was sort of a scientist; he knew more in astronomy than Professor Crabbe, and seemed to take great interest in nature study. Mary waited. But Gene did not come. She did not become impatient until long after the rest of the family had gone; suddenly she threw down her magazine and stamped her foot. •Til go alone,” she said, her eyes blazing. She saw Kila and Peggy coming down the street. She picked up her paper hastily, and was very much absorbed in the contents when tlu» girls passed by. “ by, hello Mary,” called Peggy in a surprised tone, Aren’t you going this evening?” “Yes, of course,” replied Mary. “Gene, I'll bet, panted Itita as they hurried on. They always waited until the last minute, then hurried to wherever they had planned to go. Lucille and Alex strolled by; they were never in a lmrrv. “War, Mary,” yelled Alex, Where’s Nuiiky?” “I don't know, coming I suppose. But Mary did not have much con tidence in her suppositions. By this time it was quite dark and she was aftaid so she sat er still in the darkness. Suddenly sin- heard running foot steps; they seemed to be coming nearer. Who could it be? She saw the dark figure coming nearer. It turned and dashed up the steps. Then Mary recognized him. It was Gene, and, not seeing her. he rushed into the house. Mary followed and saw to her amazement that his hands and face were scratched and dirty and bits of moss clung to his •lothing. He was very excited and as soon as he could speak, he burst out, “Mary I've discovered a great secret, Professor Collins wasn't at school today; well, he’s disappeared! Nobody will ever see him at school again.” “What do you mean,” cried Mary, “That lie’s—” “Been murdered, yes, murdered! he exclaimed tragically. “Then that's the reason—” began Mary. “What?” That's the reason Mrs. Collins seemed so unconcerned, 1 mean she didn't seem to notice anything at all. She was going by and she never even looked at me when I spoke to her. Maybe she was wondering what had .mppened to the Professor. But how did you know anything about it?” Well. began Gene, You see 1 was down to Stillwater to get some flowers for my botany note book; near Brink-Baven Cottage I was crawling through a thicket to get a new kind of flower, when I heard some men tallT ing. 1 squirmed around, but I couldn’t see very well. There was a bio b mch of well-dressed men and they were lowering some sort of a coffin into the water. It couldn't have been, yet a voice like Collins' said. •Bon't do it boys,' but the boys must have put it in any way, because I heard a lug splash. Now, it's my opinion that the Professor’s been murdered anil

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PAGE TWENTY-FOUR and “Thelma” are the members of the ('lass of 20 who are staying around Versailles. GLASS OF ’21. Colors—Royal Purple and London Smoke. ’21 William Poly—“Bill” is attending the O. S. U. where he is taking an Agriculture and Engineering Course. ’21 Virginia Long—“Virginia” is taking a course in Latin and English at the Miami T’niversity. ’21 Dorothy Hole—“Dot” is attending Shipley School, Bryn Mawr preparing to enter Bryn Mawr College. ’21 Lee Whiteman—“Preacher is attending school at the Ohio Northern, where he is studying law. ’21 Forest Boyer—“Boyer”is taking a business course at Miami Jacobs at Dayton. ’21 Carol Hardman—“Giggles” is attending Miami Jacobs Business College. Until and “ ’21 Jeanette Didot, Esther Brandon, Ellen Begien, Elsie Pettijean, Border and Willard Moore— Jane”, “Es”, “Elling”, “Elsie”, “Ruth Unk” are attending normal at Ansonia, preparing to teach. ’21 Emily Jackson, Klyta Kiev, Henrietta Barber, Mildred Minser, Velma Buchely, Joseph Reed and Cletus Magoto — “Emily”, “Klyta”, “Heinie”, “Mid”, “Velma”, “Joe” and “(Mete” are the members of ’21 who are staying in Versailles at present. MILDRED HOLE, 73.

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PAGE TWENTY-SIX they’ve buried him in Stillwater.” “What had we better do, call the police,” asked Mary. “I don't know, 1 believe I’ll do a little private detective work myself. Hut I must go home and get something to eat, I haven’t had any supper.” You didn’t have any supper? Come on, I’ll get you something to eat,” she said as she started toward the kitchen “But my clothes,” protested Gene following her. Her find in the kitchen proved to be sandwiches, butterscotch pie, salad, etc. When he had finished they became serious again. “This ought to appeal to a real detective,” said Gene, “Disappearance! Mysterious burial! Mystery solved by high school students! I don't want you to tell anyone else, but we’ll solve this mystery ourselves.” They talked on, but did not arrive to any definite conclusions. Their talk turned ro school work and daily happenings. “Gee, I’m sorry 1 kept you from going to the show tonight, but I forgot all about it,” said Gene as he was leaving. Mary laughed, “A fig for a movie, I forgot all about it too, I’d rather work on detective cases.” Professor tjollins had promised to give a lecture on metals the next day, for the benefit of the chemistry class, but failed to appear at the appointed time. Mary and Gene exchanged knowing glances until a jealous classmate told her to stop looking at Gene Mooreland. The students were having a hilarious time; all except Mary and Gene, who were positive that the Professor would not appear. Gene was sitting with an open notebook before him and writing swiftly when the door opened and in walked Professor Collins! “For the lovamud,” ejaculated Gene, and lie stared at the gentleman as though he were an apparition. Th professor, however, was as dignified as usual, and rapped sharply on the desk and said, “As soon as you come to order, I will offer an explanation for my absence .yesterday.” The whispering and laughter stopped, so the teacher continued, “Those of you who are testing the action of water on certain metals will be interested to learn of an experiment which is being performed. The preparation of the material is very simple and it will be used extensively in the manufacture of metal coffins, which means—” That a fellow can be buried a hundred years in the Bed Sea and then get up and read his name on the name plate,” spoke up Welcome Burns. “Practically the same thing,” replied Mr. Collins, smiling, “Yesterday some other chemists and myself placed a wooden coffin in Stillwater. The action of the water on the wood will be carefully noted and when the metal coffin is completed we will test the action of water on it, and we are sure that we will be successful.” A volley of applause met this statement. “And now,” he said. “You may take the rest of the period for laboratory work.” As Gene passed Mary's desk he said. “Aw, a fellow never has a chance to do anything around here on detective work.” “Never mind.” replied Mary cheerfully, “We’ll have better lin k next time. Dessa Hill, ’2T.