Western High School - Westward Ho Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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WESTWARD I-IO ll way in which she had gone off to a place of her own, Vtfilton Davidge was her only friend. Although petted all his life at home and in society, VVilton Davidge had not been spoiled. Indeed he was often rather shy and boyish, and flushed easily under his tan. He danced well and drove a beautiful car, He was a crack polo player and a Davidge! Moreover, he was artis- tically talented, had studied art and had been told he could do something great, but in the whirl of his busy days he had never been able to settle down to work to produce something worth While, yet he was always looking forward to the time when he might do this. And now he was interested in Carrie Marsden. Somehow she did not seem to belong in an office! Carrie was immensely Hattered by W'ilton's at- tentions, and not exactly unconsciously, posed, in a thousand little ways, to impress him. XVhen she heard him talk of his school days, his polo ponies, the places he had visited, the interesting people he had met, she resolved never to let a word escape about the hideous house at Dalton, the gingham-aproned, hardworking mother, and Uncle jake, whose beard always needed trim- ming, and whose clothes always needed patching. She talked rather vaguely and evasively of her home, until VVilton had a vision of an old white, Colonial mansion, rather in need of repairs, but still beautiful and interesting, and of a dainty little mother always dressed in lavender silk who fluttered about the hugephouse like a butterfly. Carrie, as she realized these impressions, felt a trifle nervous, but she speedily reassured herself. Oh, well, I never told him just thatf' She never ceased to be thankful for her beautiful fur coat, for she liked to be well dressed when she went out with VVilton, and what harm did an in- nocent pretense of a little money do? She began to buy for herself little trinkets, such as rhine- stone buckles, her novelty pillows, and bright scarfs to lighten her dark dresses, trinkets which in themselves did not cost much, but which added up to an appalling sum, And again no money went Daltonward. Then came the climax of her orgy of spending. VVilton invited Carrie to a big affair, a subscrip- tion ball at the Mayflower for the benefit of the Near East, and painted for Carrie's benefit a glowing picture of the notables who would be present. Carrie accepted, but of course, she had nothing suitable to wear. She bought something, though, a beautiful something that shaded from deep rose to pale pinkish yellow, that with its soft draperies looked like nothing so much as a rainbow escaped from the blue, with here and there raindrops, represented bv rhinestones, sparkling and gleaming, And of course there were slippers and sheer chiffon stockings to go with it, and Carrie had had a permanent wave and a manicure, and altogether she had spent an awesome sum for one evenings pleasure! She knew she would never have another occasion to wear such a dress as she had just bought, and altogether she was not happy as she had thought she would be. The ball room dazzled her, Th-e people she met were not inclined to be friendly-and then there was the occasion of her meeting with jean Pierre DlAvezac, the lion of the capital. Had she really allowed Wiltoii to think that she already knew the man! She remembered the look of amazement on her es- corts face as the young Frenchman gallantly greeted her, plainly puzzling over where they could have met before. And she had not been able to say where! Oh, it was horrible! They had left early, and Carrie had gone straight to bed, too tired and worried to pull back the lovely fancy spread that was her pride and joy. The next day was her birthday, but she had arisen with a headache and had gone to the office in a bad humor, so there had been nothing very festive in that. Now she sat curled up among her pillows, staring out the window, thinking, thinking. Outside there was a stream of motors with here and there a gay dash of blue, yellow or red that proclaimed a taxi, and in spite of the roaring March wind, handsomely dressed people promenaded on the avenue. How different from Dalton with its muddy roads and occa- sional Fords! Carrie reached down and picked up Uncle jakeis picture. Then she re-read her motherls letter. Wlhat must she do? Go home? That would not help any. The only thing to do was to send for her mother and keep her in XVashington. Why that was a fine idea! Why hadnlt she thought of it before! It would be wonderful for Mother to g-et away from that horrid old house and its one warm room, and to come to this beautiful apartment. It never oc- curred to her as she prepared to send her mother a telegram, that perhaps Mrs. Marsden would not want to com-e to Washington, that perhaps the old home at Dalton was dearer to her than the finest palace in the world. Indeed, Carrie never thought very much about what others might want. She wired her mother to take the 10:30 train for VVashington on Thursday. Today was Tuesday. Tihat would give her plenty of time to get ready. Thursday arrived. So did the 10:30. Mrs. Marsden did not. But when Carrie, seething with anger, arrived home there was a letter. I just couldnit come, Carrie dear. You don't know what it means. I love this old place. I don't care if it is old and ugly. Itis beautiful to me. You were born here, Carrie, and your father died here. It's full of memories for me. I donit

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I0 WESTWARD I-IO her superiors. Her success l1ad been most un- usual. XN'ithin a month she l1ad been advanced and her salary raised, llfleanwhile, feeling the need of companionship of girls her own age she had become rather friendly with the girls 111 the office, girls with whom she had very little in com- mon, and who realized that Carrie was too sel- fish and self-centered to be really friendly with any of them. liesides, Carrie could not shake oE her country habits and training as easily as she had supposed, and she did not always enjoy herself at the somewhat boisterous parties that her new friends, in their own vernacular, Hpulledf' There was something else that was a serious blot on Carrie's happiness. That was the Parker house, her present residence. The place was re- pulsiv-e to her. She hated it all, the stuffy rooms, the cabbage roses on the llrussels carpets, and the carved and fluted pillars that held up the orna- ment-bedecked mantlepiece. Nor was there much in the way of amusement. The Parkers had neither victrola nor radio: there could be no dancing, and the old couple would stiffen hos- tilely at the mention of cards. Carrie longed for a small place, if only two rooms. to call her own, to fix up in bright draperies and pretty furniture. That was her dream, but she had felt there was no possibility of its fulfillment when one morning on her way to the office she read an Had in the Tim-es that sent her scurrying away to a Con- necticut Avenue street car, and a few minutes later through the entranceway of a large apart- ment house. The advertisement had said the tenth floor, and up went Carrie, shaking with eagerness and fear. Soon afterward she left the place with such an uplifted expression that one might have thought that she was seeing a vision. lglut it was a very material vision. For Carrie now had her own home. She had answered the adv and found just what she wanted, two rooms. beautifully furnished, sunny and bright, and a darling little blue and white kitch-enette. And all this within the limits of her pocketbook! Tshe owner was going abroad for several years and wanted to rent her apartment as soon as she could. And Carrie, hastening to the ofhce, knew she was hf- teen minutes late, but what did it matter! Those two sunny rooms and that blue and white kitch- enette would be hers tomorrow. She had moved in feeling like a princess with her lovely surroundings. At last she had a home, some place to return after a hard day at the ofhce, a place where she could kick off her slip- pers and curl up on the couch, to peruse unin- terrupted an interesting story. But her living expenses now mounted quite high, and the amount of money that at first she had faithfully sent l10111C with conscious pride was sadly diminished. Tm awfully sorry about that, she thought, chewing her pencil as she puzzled over her ac- count books, but living is 50 high. Carrie had not been able to buy herself 1na11y new clothes. The money she had been sending had cut a large hole in her salary, and now tl1e apartment was taking more tllall she had thought. But each day she realized more and 111ore how shabby her clothes were becoming, especially her coat. She could not help contrasting it, shabby, and without even a fur collar, with the bright- hued, fur trimmed, or fur coats of the other girls i11 the office. Once sh-e ventured to ask how they could afford them. Hlnstallment plan, Deariefl said Miss Swartzman, the 'fsnapipiest dresser i11 the office. Buy 'em on 'tickf Honest, it's a cinch. Wihy dontcha get one 7' llvhy, in- deed! Carrie did not like the idea of buying on the installment plan. For her that was out of the question. But couldnt she save? Fur coats were very much reduced now, and besides her old one was so shabby and thin she was always catching cold. Cf course, there was her mother, back home at Dalton. She might be needing a coat this year. Dalton winters were severe. ,llut good heavens, mother was buried down there! She never went out anywhere. It didnlt matter about her, but Carrie-. She did save. She put off the rent and sl1e bought her coat, a hand- some thing that semed to fit in with the apart- ment, but certainly not with Carries other clothes. And that month, and the following month, no money went home. Then Carrie met Vtfilton Davidge, old Judge Davidge's son -old Judge Davidge, with the snow white hair and aristocratic features, and the stately carriage and horses he still clung to, de- spite the fact that his son's smart car was always at his disposal. Anybody who was anybodyf, and a great many who were not, knew or knew of the Davidges, and could point out their home with its sweep of gravel driveway, and its pil- lared entrance facing Farragut Square. VVilton Davidge had come to the Courthouse on business for his father, and Carrie was sent to help him look up the document he wanted. The business had been transacted satisfactorily and there was no need for young Mr. Davidge to linger, but he did linger, nevertheless. The next day he came again-on business! Carrie had been lonely for the past few weeks. She found that the girls in the office and their crowd did not interest her, and on-e by one they dropped away. lVilton's friendship meant a good deal to Carrie. lVith all connections broken off with her former friends at the office, and the Parkers indignant at the independent

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lZ WESTWARD HO care about W'ashington and tl1e wide streets Zlllll tl1e big houses you tell me about, Zlllil I guess I'll manage somehow. Carrie was furious. She went straightway to tl1e phone, called long distance, a11d in a few 111i11- to the ge11ial countryman utes sl1e was talking who kept the general store at Dalton. Could you get 111y mother to tl1e pl1o11e, please, Mr. Strong? To everybody else, and to Carrie formerly, the storekeeper answered to the name of Uncle Moef, VVhen he l1ad somewhat recovered f1'OU1 tl1e sl1ock of the Mr, Strongf' he answered. Its snowin' terrible hard, Miss Carrie. I'd be most afraid if I wuz you to ax l1er to come out. I said will you please get her to tl1e pl1o11e, Mr. Strong, repeated Carrie i11 an unpleasant to11e. Muttering something about onery people, Uncle Moe persuaded 0116 of tl1e loafers sitting around the stove to go for Mrs. Marsden, Zlllil in a few minutes the two returned, covered with snow. Mrs, Marsden went to the phone, Is tl1at you, Carrie, dear? sl1e quavered. Yes, it's I, snapped Carrie. XYhat do you 111ea11, Mother, by staying i11 that cold house all by yourself? I'll expect you tomorrow morning. But Carrie -- No buts, Mother, I really cannot afford to keep two establishments going, you know.' Tl1e sarcasm of the last did not touch Mrs. Marscleii. SITC see111ed to forget that for a long time Carrie had not done anything for the Dal- ton house. She was genuinely distressed. HAH right, Carrie, I'm sorry. I'll be there to- morrowfl 'Thats a dear, Mother. Carrie, having won l1er point could afford to be generous. i'I'll meet youf! Carrie 111et her motl1er tl1e next day and took a taxi from the station, although Mrs. Marsden was horrihed at such extravagances! But Car- rie thought she would have died if a11yo11e l1ad seen ll6l' with this old-fashioned looking WOIIIEIII, and l1e11ce this 111etl1od of arriving home. Mrs. Marsden was very quiet O11 the ride ho111e, and although Carrie tried to interest l1er by pointing out tl1e l1o111es of celebrities and other places of interest, the mother displayed scant, polite atten- tion. Nor did she enthuse over the apart111ent although it had never looked so charming. She felt old and worn, and-well-useless. For it was Carrie who took off her motherls coat and hat, wl1o briskly packed away her few belongings, and who prepared the dainty luncheon while Mrs. Marsden sat silent and still. She did not it i11 here. Now that the only thing tl1at needed her. the old house, had been taken away, she was of no use to anyone or a11ythi11g. She merely picked at tl1e food tl1at Carrie set before her, a11d seemed to be gazing off i11to space. Carrie was troubled, but sl1e was also a little angry. For l'leaven's sake! Didnt l1er mother realize tl1e difference between Dalton a11d lYashington! XYhile she was removing the dishes tl1e 17l1011C rang. It was XYilton, just returned from a trip. llis pleasant voice ra11g witl1 enthusiasm. XYhat do you tl1ink, Carrie! I took tl1at little land- scape I painted, you remember it, don't you, to an art dealer while I was in New York, Zlllfl he says he'll buy it a11d some more, and to go ahead with them! Some luck, eh! Come celebrate with a little di1111er somewhere tonight. Car- rie's expression of delight over l1er friends suc- cess changed. I-I'm awfully sorry, but I ca11't tonight. My-my mother's with 111e nowf' Thats all right, Carrie. Bring her along. Plenty of roo111 i11 the old bus, you knowfl Carrie l1esitated. Her face burned at tl1e thought of taking mother out to di1111er. Her 'Dalton appearance Zlllfl manners would 111ake them a laughing stock! And then-all those silly im- pressions XVilton had about her mother. No, oh, no, he mustn't see l1er! Thats awfully 11ice of you. lN'ilton, sl1e said gayly. but really, Mothers tired to11igl1t, and I don't think she had better go out. just then Mrs. Marsden entered the room. UOh, Carrie, dear, you mustn't put yourself out for nie, she said, laying her hand on Carries arm, why not i11vite your friend here for din- ner Fw She had bee11 standing close to the telephone and YYilton l1eard l1er! llefore the angry Carrie could 111otion l1er mother away he laughed, The very tl1ing! I'll be tl1ere with bells on, Carrie. Thank your 111otl1er for me. Thank your 111otl1er for me! Yes, Carrie felt like-thanking l1er! f'YVell, I hope you're satisfied, she glared at her surprised mother, and rushed i11to the bedroom in tears. But when she looked in the mirror and saw how ugly and red her eyes were, and how unattractive her tear- stained face, she tl1ougl1t better of crying a11d de- cided to make the best of it. She helped l1er mother i11to the old-fashioned, rustling black silk that sl1e had wor11 for church. combed her hair. a11d tried to make tl1e roughened ha11ds and broken nails more presentable. But the toil-worn, red- dened hands refused to yield to any beauty treat- ment, a11d in despair Carrie gave up trying. YVhen she herself was dressed sl1e set out for tl1e store to prepare for the extra guest, calling to Mrs. Mars- den as she went. 'fI'll be back before he comesf' and adding to herself, I better had be. There's no imagining what motl1er might tell him if they are alonef! Hut the li11e of customers i11 the store was a long one with many wants, a11d it