Westbrook High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Westbrook, ME)

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., 2 H ,nr G . f J f fa me ff if. fyffp ' X' , J I ,L ' L'4 ' i Qaateacc, -tl 5 -5 a l ...s.....ff1f 4. ONE NIGHT NORTH - The short day ended peacefully and suddenly in the valley of the Yukon. Evening spread itself quietly over the vast snowy plain. The stars gleamed fiercely, seeming to shiver from the sharp cold wind that carried the snow across the plain in sheets. This was the first night that the storm had ceased to rage for a whole week-now winter had set in for good. Before another blizzard she must go with her dogs for a last visit to Malcolm and his mother, thought Neva. She left the warm fireside, her father and brothers, to journey in her sled across the plain. It was a perfect night to ride, that is, if one were dressed warmly. The dogs seemed to enjoy the cold as they ran, their barks ringing and their breaths hanging in the air behind them. Neva slowed the dogs as they neared the small cabin at the edge of the woods. She saw the door open at the sound of the dogs and Malcolm's mother appeared in the rays of the dim light from within. Hush, boys, hush, Neva yelled at the top of young girl knelt by it, took off her long mittens, and threw her thick fur cap and heavy cloak in the corner. It's been a long time since we've seen ye, girl, spoke Mother Dane after a time. But then ther be a good excuse fer ye. Yes. and how've yer been, Mother Dane? asked Neva. We've managed to keep a livin', but this snow has nigh buried us. Malcolm has been home all the week and we two hain't seen a soul, not ev'n a sign of one. The woman went to the back door to listen. Malcolm, be ye ever comin' in agi'? There was no reply, so she shut the door and came and seated herself near the fire. across from Neva. The dogs be still a barkin', but he'll be in. Both sat quietly for some time, then the stamp- ing of feet broke the silence, and the back door opened. Malcolm F called Mother Dane. Yeah, came the short answer. her voice. Why are yer so quiet F' she asked. Hi, Mother Dane, yer havin' comp'ny this eve- There was no answer so she went to help him nin'. brush the snow from his clothes. It's ye, eh Neva ? called Malcolm's mother. My son an' I won't be a mindin' to havin' a little comp'ny this evenin'. Git yerself in here. Mal- colm'll take care o' yer dogs. Neva stamped the snow from her boots and en- tered the cabin. The room inside was warm and glowed red from the fire in the fireplace. The Go in and speak to Neva. What be there ailin' yer, son P Mother Dane asked him. Malcolm paid no heed to her questions, but quietly hung his fur cap and jacket behind the door and walked into the room where Neva was warming herself. She looked up at the sound of his footsteps. Hi, Malcolm. How yer been F

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'6 Hi, Neva. This be a pretty hard night fer a woman to be out. Neva stared into the fire. Yeah, 'tis cold, but I had to make one more trip before the worst comes. The two were silent. They heard Mother Dane working about in the little, cold room which served as a kitchen. They heard the fire roar in the little stove and the water boil loudly in the great iron kettle on top of the stove. Neva looked at Malcolm. He was thinking. She wondered why he was so still and what he could think about to cause this silence. Ere yer ailin', Malcolm, or what's gone wrong P she inquired. He shook his head. Yer lookin' well, and pretty as ever, he added in a lower voice as he looked into her sweet face as she gazed at him inquiringly. Neva's cheeks turned a deep red in the glow of the fire. She did not smile as he con- tinued to look at her, as she might have weeks ago. I can't understan' yer, she said at length. Yer know it's lonely here, just me and Maw. Yeah, I know, Malcolm. Neva seemed to sympathize. It's lonely down our way this time of year, too. No, yer don't know, yer don't know what I mean, Neva. I know when it's lonely, yer donlt have ter explain, she rebuked him sharply. It's always lonesome up here when the cold sets in and the snow falls and falls, and no one ever comes or goes. Seems as though you'd go crazy sometimes, don't it ? Hut, Neva, it's different with me. ' You're no worse off'n anyone elsef' she turned to him with an indignant stare. Malcolm clenched his fists. Yer think I'm not, eh? Well, never worry yerself about it. How be yer father and yer brothers ? Oh, they been on a trip up the river. Came home last week. They brought a new doctor up with them. I hain't seen 'im ,cause he went on up the river a few miles to old Hanold's to stay. Kinda far up, ain't it F I iiiiil The Blue fr White Yeah, and he might's well not a come, 'cause he won't be needed. Malcolm resumed his glum attitude and the two sat staring into the fire for nearly a half hour. Mother Dane could be heard, still busy in the kitchen. Not hearing the voices in the next room she came to the door and looked 111. I'll be with ye when I'm finished in my work, she said, and she turned and went to the stove. Malcolm and Neva turned quickly when they heard the great iron kettle fall to the Hoor and the boiling water splash. Mother Dane's screams filled the little cabin and, running to the kitchen, they found her lying on the floor, senseless, her clothes, face, arms, and hair dripping 'with the steaming water. Malcolm was stunned. He bent down and lifted her by the shoulders. Maw, Maw . . . , his voice left him and tears rolled one by one down his cheeks. Neva, she's dead. Neva appeared in the kitchen, her fur cap pulled down over her ears. fur coat buttoned high. I'll be back, Malcolm, she said and hurried to the back door. Malcolm ran to the door and shut it before Neva could step out. He was sob- bing with grief and the thought of Neva's leaving him now nearly made him crazy. Yer can't leave me now, Neva, yer can't . . . . Hush, Malcolm Dane, yer as 'spineless a man as ever I did see in these parts. May the woman ye get be pitied. I'm a goin' fer thet new doctor. You stay here with yer Maw, and she was gone. The dogs barked wildly as Neva lashed them with the whip. They ran faster and faster as the snow had begun to fall lightly. Soon the blizzard would come, blowing from the icy mountains in the north. She must get there and bring the doc- tor back. And she did. Hands and feet nearly frozen, her clothes and hair matted and moist from perspiration under the furs, she arrived with the doctor at the Dane's shanty two hours later. She threw herself upon the floor in front of the fireplace, exhausted to the point of pain. Later she turned and looked up to hnd Malcolm stand- ing beside her. Neva smiled. Yer Maw hain't a goin' ter die, she panted deeply.