Wells River High School - Chatterbox Yearbook (Wells River, VT)

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“Don’t get impatient and I’ll tell you right from the beginning. Joe Marlowe, your cousin, has always been anxious to get that mansion and property as well as money which belongs to your father, and after his death will belong to you. I know this, for Joe, like the fool he has always been, told me so himself. His object was to get me into company with him. Of course, I refused even if you were rather angry with me for flirting with Geraldine Mansfield (which I really did not do). He, in turn threatened to get even with me and took Pete Jordon for a helper. About a month after his threat I was walking up toward town when I was suddenly blindfolded and a cloth was stuffed into my mouth. I was then carried and thrown roughly into a boat and I knew by the voices who the mischiefmakers were. I had been there for what seemed to me to have been ages when I heard them talking about you and I knew then what was up. You heard them tell about the other fellow just before the crash ? Well, they meant me. When I had carried you as far as the plank I seated myself upon it and we floated to shore. I then dis- covered the cave and not knowing what else to do, put you in there. So you see I’ve been living here all the time.” Chapter 9 Anita smiled, “Yes, I see, and if circumstances don’t change I guess we always will live together in this forsaken place.” “What if circumstances do change?” asked Keith eagerly. Anita turned her eyes toward the eastern horizon where the reflection of the sun could be seen on the water. “I don’t know,” she began, but her eyes had defected a boat—a large steamer. “Look,” she cried excitedly, “It’s coming here” and began to cry tears of joy. True enough the ship was headed straight for the island. As soon as it landed Anita saw a white- haired man coming down the gang-plank. It was her father and Anita fell headlong into his arms, sobbing hysterically. “Well, little girl, you’re given me a weary chase but we’ve found you at last,” he said, tears in his eyes.

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THE ISLE OF MYSTERY (Continued) Chapter 7. Keith Bradley, her old school chum whom she had always played with as well as fought with. Their last interview had been a dispute, but now, alone on this lonely island any human being was welcome. To her surprise he was dressed as she was and his hair was long and matted. On his face was a two year’s growth of whiskers, but his eyes, large and brown, were tell- tales and one who had ever known him would have recognized him at once. He was the first to break the silence. “Well, I’ve found you at last,” he said smilingly. “You’ve teen hunting for me, Keith?” she began. “Hunting for you? Why, haven’t you heard me whistle nearly every night? I’ve been living in that dark cave, coming out at night as some wild animal, to kill a bird or rabbit for my food.” Anita simply stared. “So you’re the one who whistled and groaned and sang? Why didn’t you answer me when I called ?” “Why,er-er-you see I thought you might be-oh you know what I mean. You might have thought that I had followed you and would not have given me a chance to explain.” Anita’s eyes dropped. That was just like her, sen- sitive and unreasonable, she reflected. Keith again broke the silence, “You see, I came over here when you did,” he explained. “When the sail-boat crashed against the rock I caught a glimpse of a floating plank. My nexL glance revealed you, float- ing from me fast. I swam toward you and taking you in one arm swam toward the plank. Chapter 8. “But,” interrupted Anita interested at once, “How did you happen to be in that sail-boat? I didn’t hear you speak at all.” Keith laughed. “Of course you didn’t. I was a victim as well as yourself.” “How was that?” asked Anita.

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The two victims of the island were soon on the ship sailing eastward. The story was soon told and both were glad to have that task done. “We’ll have the rooms all fixed for the wedding in a jiffy,” said Mr. Barstone happily. ’’Your mother has grown old quickly but she’ll become ten years younger upon seeing you again.” “To say nothing of yourself, dad,” said Anita. “But I love every white hair in your heads just as much as I did the dark and golden ones.” A few hours later Anita and Keith stood upon the deck watching the moon rise in the East where could be seen a faint glimpse of land. “Who will you be the most glad to see when you get ashore ?” asked the girl abruptly. And the man answered laughingly but without hesitation, “A barber. I want a shave and a haircut.” The End —V. B. ’25 Do Not Be Afraid When in trouble or when in sorrow, When men doubt of what you’re made, What if you know not the morrow, Do not be afraid. When the darkness ’round you is falling, And men seek your rights to take, When you hear your foes a-calling, Do not be afraid. Speak the truth and all the truth, Then your sins will be allayed, And your foes will all be with you, When they see you’re not afraid. D. R. ’23