West Side High School - Legenda Yearbook (Saginaw, MI)

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The Black Gems Of Cassa Edythe Rhinevault The long line began to move snake-like and glittering toward the gate of the city. From a window of her palace, the Princess Parthis watched; and her cruel heart beat fast as she saw this line of warriors who were going forth on her own selfish mission. She was a beautiful princess, but dissatisfied and ambitious. Her very whims became laws, and this mission was her latest fancy. She stood at her window un- movable until the last of the line had vanished outside the great gate of the city. Then turning into the large room, she went before an image of the God Esar, and throwing herself at the feet of the idol cried out: Oh, Esar, in thy power it lies. Give them strength to bring to their princess, the great black necklace. That necklace now in the temple of Cassa, in the land of the demon Assyrians. Give power, I implore thee, to The Babylonians. Rising, she bade one of her maidens burn a sacrifice to the god. Another handmaid she called to take down her hair, and then the princess lay calmly down on her silken cushions. The warm Eastern breezes played over her dark face and hair; but she was soon lost in sleep, dreaming of the conquered Assyrians. The Babylonian and Assyrian armies had many fierce battles. There was much blood-shed and desruction; but after several days of war, the Babylonians forced their way to the temple of Cassa. This temple was a magnificent old structure, six hundred feet in height, and its walls were rich with carvings. It was sacred to the Assyrian god, Padue; and the most esteemed and valued treasure in it was the rope of black pearls. These were what the Babylonians were to take to their princess, no matter what the cost. At last the day came, when the Babylonian warriors were to re- turn to their native country with the war prize. The gates of the city were thrown open, and there was great revelry and feasting. The Princess and her court were assembled under a huge canopy on the plain over which the army was to pass. At the head of the army came Benon, the general. He rode a sleek, black steed, and following him came an Ethopian slave, carrying on a satin cushion, the elaborate necklace. When Benon reached the princess, he dismounted, took the cushion from the slave and bowing low before the dipros on which the princess was seated, presented her with the treasure saying: Oh divine majesty, I have fulfilled thy mission. I have brought also to thee, oh Parthis, an aged man who was once the guard of thy necklace in the temple of Cassa. He alone can relate to thee the tale of our spoil. The princess bade him rise and addressed him thus: Thou, Benon hast completed thy duty. Bring now before me this creature, who would relate the tale. Make certain, Benon, he speaks not falsely. Two slaves then brought before the throne the old man, Narga. He was forced to salute the princess as Benon had done, and then began his tSile These were the words with which he brought it to an end. Some day, I feel, that we Assyrians shall recover our black jewels, but until then we shall be ever watchful of them. And thou, Parthis, thou will never have peace, while you possess them. Mark my words

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He felt sure Mabel did not care to walk with a clown like him, h it, nevertheless, he thought he would ask her, anyway. Let ' s walk, replied Mabel, much to John ' s surprise. It isn ' t far, and it ' s such a wonderful night. Oh, I ' m glad that ' s over. It ' s such a relief to be in the open air, sighed Mabel when they reached the pavement. Well, I suppose you ought to be glad. I ' ve spoiled the whole evening for you. Well, now, I wouldn ' t say that, replied Mabel, laughing softly. Then came the walk home in the moonlight. The streets were very quiet, not even an automobile was seen. Mabel and John walked along in silence; each was attempting to read the mind of the other. Finally, when they reached Mabel ' s house, she asked, with a touch of sarcasm : How does your tie feel, Johnnie? I knew you noticed it, answered John, downheartedly. It looked awful. Everyone seemed to look at me. How foolish you must have felt. Mabel laughed. Well, I don ' t think it looked so bad. In fact a number of girls spoke to me of your beautiful tie. Just think! They even asked if it were a gift from me. How silly some girls are! But how did you know my tie was troubling me? asked Johnnie. Well, you see, I know men rather well. I ' ve watched my brother quite often and I know all your weaknesses. I saw you were not at ease, and I knew it must be your tie. Besides, explained Mabel, I was in the same boat as you. You can ' t imagine how glad I was when I got out of the place. I did something just awfully foolish. You won ' t tell if I tell you? Promise? Honest — cross my heart, I won ' t. Well, then, here goes. You see, John, we girls just love to wear these puffs on our ears, the bigger the better. (They are such horrible things and I hate them.) I wanted to have some great big ones and I did something terrible. I bet you ' ll never forgive me if I tell you. Forgive you? Well, I guess it would be a pretty poor sport who wouldn ' t forgive you. Well, come on. Confess your great crime. Was it murder or something? I ' ll be the judge of this affair. Then Mabel looked up at him, her eyes wide open with mock fear and her lips pursed. Oh, John, I put some paper in my puffs to make them big. You can ' t imagine how I felt at the party. I was so afraid that they would show. Oh, forgive me, John, please, and so saying Mabel sobbed piteously upon the shoulder of Johnnie and he, like one well versed in the art of love-making, fondly embraced her. Why, Mabel, that wasn ' t anything. Oh, but it was so silly of me. I ' m such a little fool, cried Mabel. Oh, but you are not, said Johnnie. Oh, but I am! You ' re not! I am! Keep quiet. You know I ' m to be the judge of this affair, com- manded Johnnie authoritatively. Well then, judge, what is my sentence? Hurrv, for this suspense will kill me. Prepare, young lady, for the sentence is a severe one, said the judge. Oh, dear, you make me suffer so. I ' m only a girl and Oh, Mabel, look at the moon, exclaimed John, and Mabel looked. The moon was directly above them and Mabel received her sentence. - HARRY GNATKOWSKI.

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well, all who hear, who ever has these jewels shall lose them, for they shall be stolen. I care not who owns them. Wherever the jewels go, there will be war until they are restored. But, if they be given back without bloodshed, the last owner shall be happy. After the princess had grown tired of her necklace, it was locked away with the other treasures of the court and almost forgotten. But, in Assyria, the black jewels were remembered. In the heart of every Assyrian simmered wrath and revenge. Then an order of Assyrian men was formed. Their leader was Magon, and they swore a solemn oath that they and their descendants would never give up the search until the black jewels were restored to the temple of Cassa. The ages rolled on, Babylon rose and fell, the Assyrians had their day; but they did not recover their jewels. The necklace was taken from one place to another. How, only the gods know. Sylvia Zane had been studying in Paris for several months. She was one of these American girls who have plenty of money, and like their freedom. She was pretty and frivolous; and at the present time, she was trying her hand at painting. Quite frequently she visited old curiosity shops in search of some old minatures. It was on one of these visits that she found a string of black pearls. She had happened to stop to inquire about a small painting in the window, and while the owner of the shop was wrapping it, she wandered about looking over the stock. The shop was very old and dusty. There were shelves on the walls covered with the usual curios found in such places. In a corner of one of the lower shelves, she saw an odd, red velvet box. It was very dusty, and as she picked it up, a spider ran out from behind it. On opening it, she found the string of black pearls. Oh, monsieur, she cried, how much do you want for these? They are worth two-hundred francs, he replied. Let me see, said Sylvia thoughtfully, that is forty dollars, is it not? Yes, mademoiselle, said the old man, do you want them? I think I do, said Sylvia, because they are so odd. Where did they come from? I could not tell you. Most of this stock was here when I bought the shop. Will there be anything else? No, that is all for now, Sylvia was very delighted with her new beads, and wore them almost constantly. She remained in Europe until August of 1914, when so many Americans left on account of the war. Sylvia ' s home was in New York City. When she returned, she found life quite a bore. There was nothing for this young adventur- ous person to do. It seemed that many young Americans needed some- thing to occupy themselves with at that time. And, at last, that word came — War! Then Sylvia was busy, canteen work. Red Cross, and motor corps service; everything came at once. At one of the camps near her home, Sylvia renewed an old acquaintance with Jack Haccum, whom she had met in college. Every Sunday found Jack at the Zane home, all furloughs were spent with Sylvia. At last came the day of departure. Before Jack left, he made sure that Sylvia would be waiting for him when he came back. Again came dull and tiresome days for Sylvia, in spite of all her duties. Then came the day of anxiety and suspense, when Jack was to lead his company over the top. Next was the message, he had been wounded in action. Sylvia grew more serious and a little older