Waltham High School - Mirror Yearbook (Waltham, MA)

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PROPI-IECY caught up with us and stopped. Esther Stewart, thin, pale and tearful poked her head out at the window and in sorrowful voice invited us to ride along with her. Never before had I seen her so down-cast. She acted as though the world itself was resting upon her shoulders, while, in reality. she was riding in one of the most comfort- able cars that I had ever seen. First, she sobbed about the family sickness, then she mourned over the intemperance of her chauffeur. After that, unable to produce further trouble of her own, she stretched her head out of the window and, seeing a dead hen by the roadside. insisted upon having its remains carried home for burial. lt was so heart-rending to see the poor thing lying there in that state. She thoughtfully took us to our door and then, from sheer exhaustion, we fell asleep without a thought of supper. Sometime after midnight we were awakened by a wild shriek, and then a hammering came upon the door. Half asleep and supremely dis- gusted by this impromptu disturbance, we went down stairs together and Hung open the big door. There stood tall, slim jen- nette Davis in a white nightcap and gown, screaming hysterically and uttering an in- audible succession of words. It seemed that Sally had gone walking again in her sleep and Iennette could hnd no trace of her. Reluctantly we dressed and followed our bothersome neighbor from street to street, but Sally had certainly completely disap- peared. For two hours we searched every corner of Arden Village, but the hunt was useless. The only think remaining to do was to wait for her voluntary return, so we dragged our weary feet back to jennettes humble cottage. As we pushed open the front door, which had been left ajar, we heard a low muttering coming from the room at the head of the stairs. iRushing above and peering within, we saw Sally sit- ting out of the window talking in a low voice. Presently she began to hum a gay tune and bending her head low so as not to bump it on the hard pane, she jumped to the lloor and climbed into bed, calmly uncon- scious of an audience. After seeing the two spinsters safely settled once more, we went home thoroughly awakened by the episode and unable to sleep again that night. At eight o'clock next morning the door- bell rang, while a dark complexiofied man pushed his way into the hall. John Hoff- man. with a load of oriental rugs of every description, confronted us. lflis red face was dripping with perspiration and he puffed beneath the weight of his burden. lYithout a word, he boldlypeered into every room and then making a grimace at the well carpeted floors. he went away grumbling at his ill-fortune. After his hurried departure, I ventured out alone to tinish my exploration and now that I was by myself, I was able to observe more carefully my surroundings. On the main street every store, except one. had been placed very carefully on a line and that one, ayictim of blue paint, was set back between two high buildings. The peculiarity of coloring attracted me and walking closer I read the sign which was swaying about on a protruding iron bar. On the upper portion of the plaque was a picture of a beautiful foot, such as is often seen in advertisements, but seldom else- where, while the wording between explained the illustration, ''Chiropodist-Let me tend to your feetf, Below this a cherry complexioned face sur- rounded by a mop of curly blonde hair was painted with the printing below: Call back your youth and remove the gray hairs, a genuine hair pre- server guaranteed to leave three- fourths of your scalp. The words lValk-in on the door promped me to march bodly up the steps and turn the knob. In a deep leather chair within sat Marjory Graves swathed in ban-

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PROPHECY sleeve and dragged him to a window, where she wiped the dirt from his face. Then turning to us, she said despairingly, These little fellows with the coal black hair have the worst tempers. You can tell now by the very expression of their faces that their blood is boiling. It was quite evident that peace would never be restored by soothing methods so May politely engaged herself for the purpose of conducting the two boys to their fond mother. In the upper hall we found her talking with the minister, but when she saw us approaching, she breathed deeply and said, So you've made a nuis- ance of yourselves again, have you? yVell, Sunday School is no place for you boys for some time. Come, Dick. Then bracing herself for the descent of the steps with her small charges pulling her off her feet, she nodded goodbye. Ruby's method of dis- cipline was entirely too unsatisfactory to suit me. - That afternoon we followed a path that ran through the woods in the rear of the house. Vyfe had been walking for some time in silence, listening to the crackling of the pine needles, when we came upon a brown haired fellow propped up against a tree, writing as though his life depended upon it. Finally, after we had watched his labor without making a move to announce our presence, he suddenly glanced up and exclaimed with excitement, Ah just in time to hear my latest. Full of spring romance. Ah! Such words, such, such- Witlioiit waiting for an ending to this eloquent speech Eula had grabbed me by the arm and was pulling me far from the lovesick poet, who followed at some dis- tance screaming tragically Spring, Spring in the forest, Spring in the mountain glade. Spring, Spring on the hillside, And on every grassy blade. Such enthusiasm overcame me and, un- able to run farther, I sat down on a moss- covered log and allowed the suffering orator to catch up to me, still begging for a hear- ing. But Eula saved me. She lauded the delightful view which might be had from the top of an oak nearby and having boosted Bob into the branches, saw him safely wedged between two topmost bows. Then we took our flight. LANNIGAN BECOMES HERMIT. Until we were positive of not being pur- sued, we ran on, hardly expecting to en- counter other human beings in the deep wood. But to our dismay the briary path led straight into a rustic hovel, which bore marks of recent use. Our approach had been scented, for a large sheep dog came out of the hut and barked ferociously at us. A grumbling old hermit,.with long beard and ragged clothes, followed the dog closely. He gazed at us for several seconds and then, as though he had come in contact with a whole army of hobgoblins, hc turned and Hed to an inner room of the house. leaving his dog as sentinel at the entrance. Quite sure that the old fellow had concealed him- self because of fear, we started down the grassy'pathway. but we hadn't gone more than two yards when we heard an anxious voice calling for us to halt. Turning about. we came face to face with Arthur Lannigan. He still bore marks of having lived a soli- tary life, but an almost complete transfor- mation had taken place. His beard had been shaved off and he wore a compara- tively new suit, but his hair, which seemed to annoy him. was hung in waves over his shoulders, causing him to blush when the wind tossed it about his face. 'We tried to impress upon him the fact of the wasteful life that he was leading and by careful per- suasion actually succeeded in getting him to promise to return to civilization as soon as he could get his long, Howing locks sheared. ' It was long after sunset when, hardly able to drag ourselves along, we came to the main road. Then, as though sent for our own particular comfort, a shiny limousine

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K PRUPIIECY dages, her hair done up on curl papers and an electric fan at her feet. peacefully sleep- ing. This was another sleeping Arden Yil- lager. I was beginning to think that I was asleep. too. but vowing to wait for results. I sat down before a spindle-legged desk on which. in a gold frame. was a likeness of a very well-known face. The only difference which I could see was that the tlutfy hair had turned to a coal black and the coin- plexion seemed a shade darker. I con- cluded that Lillian had been experimenting with 1Iarjory's hair dye. Suddenly the door opened and a woman entered dressed in a becoming. black velvet suit. Avoiding my scrutiny. she opened her bag a11d drew out nine or ten large bot- tles. each labeled differently. I'lacing these on the table beside Klarjory. she sat with her back toward me. Quite naturally. after waiting 'for half an hour. I became sus- picious and I doubted if Marjory were really asleep. She might have felt obliged to remain in that rigid position in order to keep the'bandages in place. llorritied at this thought. I coughed and opened a con- versation with my waiting coinpaniou. Have you any idea when this woiuan will awaken ? Iafithout turning. she laughed and then answered superiorically. lYhy, Klarjory is not asleep. She will be through very shortly. It's -nearly time for her to take off the face band. Once more silence reigned. but it was soon broken by Marjory herself. who sat up and removed the white cloth from her face. saying. You don't know how I have wanted to laugh. but you know the enamel. Dear me. it is such a draw- back. Then spying Grace. she slipped on some shoes and went over to her and draw- ing her to the light. she carefully examined her face. Much better. much better. Several more sittings and we'll have a rosy complexion. But that woman raised her hands in protest and said decisively. I IIZIVCIIII used one thing. in fact. I poured it all into the sink. That accounts for the wonderful improve- ment. --Xpparently delighted with her act she hauglnily left Klarjory confused and blushing. Not for the world would I have laughed, biit the lunnor of it struck me with full force. To escape the possibility of an invitation to take the patient's chair. I quickly re- moved myself from the room and running swiftly out of the door. fell head Iirst over a crouching tignre vigorously polishing the brass trimmings about the porch. Ile lau- guidly helped me to my feet and while I brushed the grit and gravel from my chin. I noticed that he held onto his ribs where my heel had caught in my fall. Ile groaned perceptibly. but his suffering seemed plainly more from embarrassment than from physical pain. Fearing by the expression upon his face that Klason was going to cry or do some other foolish thing. I left hold- ing onto my skinless chin. I succeeded in removing most of the signs of my blunder from my skirt and coat just as a rattling wagon stopped at a building op- posite. Then Blanche Norse came out of the door and ordered the driver. in a com- manding voice. to take the little old organ upstairs with great care and not to scratch otd' the varnish. IYhen I heard the feeble notes of the dilapidated old instrument com- ing 'from the hall window aml I had seen the driver -leave. I went in and found the player seated. pumping away at the squeak- ing pedals. Illanche informed me that her tinal concert in .Xrden would take place that evening and proudly she told me of her call to Manchester. XYithout further explana- tion. I understood the full meaning of the summons. FISIIIQRKIAN GICTS WIQT. I do not know how long I had walked after leaving Illanche before I found myself on the banks of a lake. which previously had been unknown to me. Ilalf way across