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

Page 17 text:

WESTWARD HO I3 was a long time before Carrie finished her shop- ping and arrived home. She slipped into the kitchenette and began to undo her bundles. Sud- denly her blood froze in her veins! Yoices in the living room! He had come before her after all, Through the half-opened door she saw them. Mrs. Marsden was exhibiting-of all things- Uncle jake's sketch, and she was evidently talk- ing about home-- and its so pretty in the spring when the cherry trees are in bloom. Car- rie's been telling me about the japanese trees here, Mr. Davidge, but they can't be as pretty as ours. And ours make such good pies. l make right smart money off my cherries. Carrie gasped, but XVilton was looking down at Mrs. Marsden with a peculiar expression that certainly did not signify disapproval. 'AI am very fond of cherries, Mrs. Marsden. You had better not tell me too much about yours or I shall drive down to your house this spring and raid it for piesf' I wish you would, Mr. Davidgef' said Mrs. Marsden hospitably, lands knows it isn,t much of a place, butl'-L Carrie thought it best to enter just then. She came in, her chin raised defiantly, and looked straight at XVilton, rather hostilely, he thought, as she gave him a cool greeting. Mrs. Marsden was surprised. It was too bad that Carrie should be so cool, almost rude, to this pleasant young chap. There weren't any airs about him. She tried to make up for her daughters lack of hos- pitality. W'e've just been talking about Dalton. havenlt we, Mr. Davidge, and about your high- flown notions when you were little, Carrie -- Hlfxcuse me, mother, but will you help me set the table P interrupted Carrie peremptorily. Of course. dear. I'd a had that all done. only l thought my ways were always too old-style for you,' answered Mrs, Marsden in innocent sur- prise. Carrie flushed and XYilton glanced at her in a sort of wonder that increased during the meal. Funny how she was acting. He had never seen her like that before. She was always interrupt- ing and contradicting her mother. lle didn't like that in her. He wished she would stop. Funny, too, about that house of hers. lladn't she told him some yarn about an old mansion-oh, well. maybe he had been too quick to form an opinion from the hazy descriptions she had given him. Then there had been the D'Avezac affair. XVhat was her motive? All at once he understood and was almost stunned by the revelation. She had been trying to make an impression on him, and to make him think she was more than she was. As if that made any difference to him! lle saw it all now: this apartment, her furs, the beautiful costume she had worn to the ball, the taxi she always took from the office in bad weather. They had been blinds all right. NYhat were those hints she had dropped so casually every now and then-something about believing every girl should have an occupation, lt was so stimulating and beneficial to the mind! lle had actually believed she worked from choice! llahl lt made him sick. Her mother here was worth two of her, darned if she wasn't. And all during the meal he devoted himself to Mrs. Marsden, who was so bewildered by the silver candlesticks, the glow- ing candles, and the beautiful flat silver that had always adorned the table of the apartments real owner, that she scarcely knew what she was doing. To Carrie the meal was a nightmare. She felt that XYilton must hold her in contempt, and at the some innocent reference of her mothers to snowstorm through which she had labored to an- swer her daughters summons, she looked up, ex- she pecting to see scorn in his face, but instead saw only the look of one who is puzzled and be- wildered. And when it was all over, and he had taken his leave, her vision suddenly cleared. Funny how well she realized the whole situation now. She had always been selfish, hadn't she? ln her desire for a chance at life and beauty she had slipped away to find it alone, instead of try- ing her experiment at home where all might have enjoyed it, She could have stayed at Dalton for she had been offered the district school, but teaching boisterous, country children had not seemed to offer the key to that longed-for world of beauty and opportunity. So she had gone away, and she had used her money for clothes, trinkets, everything for herself. She blushed to think of the money spent to make VVilton Da- vidge think she was well off. Why', she had even led him to believe she worked from a mat- ter of principle! ller cheeks burned when she recalled the false colors under which she had been living. And now she had brought her mother away from the one place in the world she loved. because she, Carrie Marsden, was too selfish to go there. llut she would make up for it now- that she was determined to do. She had been mechanically drying dishes as she meditated, paying no he-ed to her mother's rambling conversation about the people at home. Suddenly she had an inspiration. 'fFinish the dishes, will you. mother? l'm going on an er- randf' She hurried into the bedroom and from her closet took out the rainbow dress. XVith lov- ing hands she carefully folded it in soft tissue paper. The stockings and shoes went, too, and then, taking the package under her arm. she climbed the steps to the next floor. Th-ere she rang a doorbell and waited. The door was opened by a young girl of Carries size and color-

Page 16 text:

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

Page 18 text:

I4 WESTWARD HO ing. She was Elsa XVaring, a young singer for whom a glorious future was predicted, and whose first recital was only two weeks off. Oh, Elsa, gasp-ed Carrie, Uhave you found a dress yet for your concert? You know, you said you wanted a dress for that occasion that would be different from anything you had ever owned, and that you would scour the city for itf' Elsa Wlaring shook her head. No, I haven't found it yet, and the great day only two weeks away. VVhat shall I do, Carrie ?!' Elsa-Elsa-Look-Isn't it lovely! It will be beautiful on you! Sec how it sparkles-a regular rainbowlu Carrie,,' Elsa was gazing delightedly at the dress. VVhy, Carrie, itls gorgeous! A few minutes later Carrie left Elsa admiring herself in the mirror, with fifty dollars clutched in her hand. The dress, even- as second. hand, was worth much more than that, but she didn't care. Tomorrow would be the end of the month, thank Heaven! She could get her salary and with that and the fifty she and mother could go back home and do something toward fixing up the old place. Spring had come to Dalton and to one house in Dalton especially, a little one with wistaria trailing over the porch roof, and pink cherry The house looked been painted white at every window. in those windows, porch, and a girl with a happy face in one of the rockers. She was reading a letter that was postmarked New York, and for some reason had been delayed a long time in reaching its destination. 'fAnd when I called up your apartment, two days later, and found you were not there, I was furious with myself. But I found out from Mr. Parker what you had done, and where you were, and though I had to beat it up to New York I make a note of your address. Then that beastly pony had to kick me on the arm and put me out of commission for a while, but as soon as I was able I 'grabbed this chance' to write to you. The art dealer told me my last stuff wasnyt so good, that what I needed was a quiet country place with plenty of scenery and er-er-inspira- tion! And so your new boarder will arrive May the nrst, on the 3:15 from VVashington. blossoms in the front yard. somewhat changed. It had and it had green shutters There were bright curtains comfortable rockers on the Carrie smiled and slipped the letter in her pocket. She went into the kitchen and baked two luscious cherry pies with the red juice oozing from them. Then she returned to the porch to await the whistle that would announce the ar- rival of the 3:15, w-41ci9jg0yauv--4, AT DAWNING The dew-drops on the fresh leaves softly glow like precious pearls, While slowly in that cool, clear dawn each Flower-cup uncurls, Each hit of life, each bud, each plant awakes to that sweet air, To wonder at the lovely earth that it should he so fair. The songhirds join the hrooklets in their early morn- ing lay, Of trilling, gurgling welcome to the rosy new-horn day, While mirrored in each lake and pool is that reflected hue- That glorious, deep, unclouded shade of heaven's own true blue. And then-majestic--golden-floating gently up on high, The sun appears and smiles at dawning from the eastern sky. Mary Louise Zschiesche, '28,