Washington Seminary - Facts and Fancies Yearbook (Atlanta, GA)

Page 131 text:

A MAN AND A MOUSE fc:0IIfiIIllK'll from page IUOJ man on the train, if for nothing else, to make Harry a little more attentive. We sauntered toward the pool, but I was stopped by a few who wanted to ask some questions about school. The others had changed into bathing suits by the time I had reached Mrs. Mac- Gossip, who was standing by the edge of the pool with a young man. Oh, honey, do come here, and let me introduce you to my nephew, she greeted me, indicating the young man at her side. I turned to him, and as I looked up, imagine my surprise when I found myself being introduced to Prizo. It was such a shock that the swimming bag I had fell from my hand to the ground, and the things spilled out. Now let me explain something. Every- one says I did it purposely, but I know it was merely an accident for I had en- tirely forgotten the mouse. When the bag came open and everything fell out, why out came the poor frightened mouse that had in some way hidden himself in my bathing suit. As he ran for safety, the first thing that looked like refuge was Mrs. MacGossip's long skirt, so he took it. She gave one yell, grabbed my hand, and the two of us went over backwards into the pool, with her screaming and splut- tering. Now everyone knows I am a pretty good swimmer, but when Harry heard me yell, he immediately followed me into the pool. Prizo, being the perfect gen- tleman, came in too. He reached me first and brought me out. Therefore, as much as he hated it, Harry had to drag Mrs. MacGossip out. Everybody crowded around. I know I looked bedraggled, still I couldn't have looked as bad as Mrs. MacGossip. I can still see her. She looked a scream. She is fat, very fat, and wears numerous petticoats. They were all wet and stream- ing water, and she was pufhng and blow- ing. I could tell she had reached the boiling point, and that she would have liked to boil me, too. Instead, she started to bawl me out, but no one would listen to her. Then she happened to remember that after all, she was my hostess, so she took me into the house to get me some dry clothes. To this day she thinks I brought that mouse on purpose to torment and humiliate her. However, I didn't, so I gave the mouse the credit. Mrs. MacGossip presented me with one of her dresses to wear. It dragged the floor on me, so I took a few pins, draped it tightly around my figure and let the rest serve as a train. After some repairs to my face and hair, I swaggered out to snake my conquest. During the remainder of the afternoon, Prizo,'I for I still called him that, and I stayed together, and if I do say it, I know I had him where I wanted him. Also I knew that while the little twosome was going on, Harry's eyes were getting greener and greener, and his heart knew only murder for Prizo. Wlien we were leaving, Primm came to me and said softly, I hope you will save a few dances for me tonight, little girl. My lashes slowly rose and slowly fell, as I answered demurely, Wl1y, certainly. We took off in a hurry. Harry always takes off in a hurry when he is mad about something. Listen to me, my heart's desire, he tuned in on me, if you are so wild for this great ache, why get him. But why do it with that Civil War stuff? When you can analyze women as I can men, I answered him frigidly, why then you can tell me how I am to go about my methods of attack. W'e took Mary and Wimpy home, and then started to my house, but on the way something got wrong with the car. Harry got out to see what was the trouble, and I climbed out with him. He raised the hood of the car and peered in, and out jumped that mouse! I've heard of cats being blessed with nine lives, but this mouse must have had nine- teen lives, and all of them charmed. Harry turned to me, and I smiled at him. He smiled back, and I thought to myself that it wouldn't make much dif- ference to me if Prim had to go back to Valpairaiso, or anywhere, because I didn't care for anybody but Harry. As I watched the mouse seampering up the bank, I murmured to nobody in particu- lar, Wl1o's afraid of the little gray mouse!

Page 130 text:

KING OF MOTOR FUEL .3 STARTING ANY TIME'ALL THE TIME l7ZfUZ000dl1JitfL Tor cvuunm l.unmcA1-lon R Cjlmnnc Hen ANTI-KNDCK WOFFORD OIL CO. WILEY L. MOORE, lm-mlfnf AT BLUE AND WHITE COURTESY SERVICE STATIONS THROUGHOUT METROPOLITAN ATLANTA

Page 132 text:

fC!IllffllItl,llfI'IJI1l page 104-J fear as she entered the ballroom on Phil's arm the next evening. Perhaps it was not a praying matter, but Lucille breath- ed, Oh, God, help me to dance! W'hat was that Phil was whispering in her ear? Could it be true? You're a wonderful dancerf' It zvax true. She was following him, lightly, easily. Wliy, all it took was concentration until you got the swing of it. Oh, what a heavenly evening .... On the way home Phil turned to the dreamy girl beside him. How long will you be here, 'Cele? I'm leaving day after tomorrow. W'orse luck.', That's impossible! Wliy, I just met you. I know, but my ticket has been bought, and I must meet the family to go with them to the seashoref, Something like this would have to happen. But, anyway, weill have to- morrow nightf' Tomorrow night? Yes. Didn't I tell you? Mother said I might have a dinner for you at our house. I've already asked three other couplesg so youlll have to comef' I'd love to. You know that. Lucille was undressing after Phil had left when Granny entered and kissed her. Have a good time, dear?' Perfect! Absolutely! Oli, Granny, I 4111! Ilf111i'i'. ' She whirled around the room and flung herself on her beaming grand- . t t mother. You knew me better than I knew myself. Thanks for making me go. Lucille gazed speculatively into the mirror as she added the finishing touch to her toilette the next afternoon. This will be my hnal test. If I can meet other boys and girls without being afraid of them, l'll have graduated with honors. I wonder . . . At first, when she was introduced to half a dozen strangers at once, she was nervous. The girls, however, took her up- stairs to put her coat away, and they soon became friends. In fact, they seemed anxious to be nice. They looked up to her for some reason. Wiell, she ilirl look her best. Lucille was walking on air when they re-entered the living-room, arm in arm. The dinner passed easily, gaily. It was rather formal until one of the boys tried to eat his tomato cocktail with a spoon, then everyone settled down to being him- self. Afterwards there was a poker game. When that dulled, Phil asked Lucille to dance. A few moments later, Lucille glanced around and saw the other girls seated in a dejected row on the couch, while the three boys were standing in rapt admiration, waiting to dance with her. She chuckled to herself. It was cruel to laugh. She did feel sorry for the others, for if anyone knew how it felt to be a wall-flower, she did. But that was just what was funny. Before the evening was over, Phil and Lucille were the only couple on the floor. The rest sat around and watched and wouldn't let them stop dancing until they were exhausted. When everyone had gone, Phil took Lucille home. They stood in the hall- way, he holding her hand. It seems impossible that it's over so soon,' he told her. Yes, it's been heavenly. . . Too good to be true .... U Can't you possibly stay longer, ,Cele? You know I can't Phil, much as I'd like to. But you will write to me? Of course. And you will come back to Rich- mond? I'll come back as soon as I can. XVell . . . Goodbye, 'Celef' Goodbye, Phil. ,CeIe . . .? Yes?', 73 May I kiss you goodbye? Lucille's pulse quickened. He wanted to kiss her. No boy had ever wanted to do that befo1'e. Should she, or should she not . . .? Yes, Phil, you may.', A fleeting moment that she was de- stined never to forget! . . . Lucille knew then that she had graduated with flying colors.