Wethersfield High School - Elm Yearbook (Wethersfield, CT)

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To Edith's great surprise she failed to kiss them good-night. It was eleven before she appeared next morning and after a sub- stantial breakfast she reluctantly consented to be shown around the farm by Edith. Nothing pleased herg the cows frightened her, and the hogs disgusted her. Needless to say, this dignified lady with her parasol somewhat surprised the animals. That evening Charles, a very good friend of Edith, called, as was his custom. He was immediately attracted to Evangeline. He was so interested in her that Edith became very jealous. Their friendship seemed to increase, and on Sunday afternoon Charles did not call on Edith, and Evangeline was not around. Edith, becoming alarmed, walked down the lane to see if she could find her. The lane led into a small grove of trees and what should Edith find but Evangeline sitting under a tree on which Charles was carving some- thing. Edith stole near enough to see what it was. On discovering it was a large E, in bitter anguish, she ran off by herself and sat down beside the running brook to weep. To think this city cousin, whom Edith had finally concluded had been sent to visit them not on account of her health but to break up an infatuation for a Government Official whom her parents did notz like-to think that this snippy, love sick, city cousin should take possession of ber Charles-Charles who had been so faithful to her ever since his return from working in the city. It was more than she could stand, and she gave way to an outburst of tears. lt seemed to her as if her heart would break. On Monday evening Charles again took Evangeline for a walk and Edith saw them under the same tree, Charles still carving. They were engaged in a deep and earnest conversation. It seemed like something important. In a flash there jumped to Edith's mind the idea of some catastrophe-perhaps an elopement! Could it be possible Charles and Evangeline were planning to elope? Edith thought of seeking advice from her mother as to what the plans might be, but then, lest she be accused of eavesdropping, she refrained and kept her suspicions to herself. Edith's father drove in to the village the next morning and happened to meet Charles, who was waiting for a friend expected on the mail coach. When he reported this at the table that night Evangeline turned pale. Edith could not sleep when she went to bed that night. Her mind was on Charles, Evangeline and the other man. What could it all mean? Had he come to help Charles and Evangeline elope? But Edith's curiosity was soon to be satisfied. Early the next morning Charles appeared with a letter for Evange- line. She read it in silence, became somewhat nervous, and said that it was a letter from home, stating that she was to leave immediately, but giving no reason. She was to go that afternoon. She packed up her things and had the hired man take them to the station that morning.

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A NINETEENTH CENTURY ROMANCE Say, Molly, I was down at the Village Store today when the mail coach came in. Here's a letter for you-fine paper-looks like my sister-in-law's writing-open it and letis know the news. Perhaps they're going to invite Edith to spend a week or so at Saratoga. Well, now you have it open, suppose you read it to mef' Molly put on her spectacles and read: My dear Molly. Evangeline has been quite ill-a nervous collapse-and the Doctor has ordered that she go to the country for several weeks. She needs quiet life, new milk, and home cooking. With plenty of fresh air and sleep, we feel certain she will soon regain her usual strength. I do not wish to inconvenience you in any way but do you think it would be possible to have her visit you? I think she would have a much better time with her Aunt and Uncle than at some health resort. Besides, she would have your sweet daughter, Edith, to keep her company. Hoping you are all well, I remain, Your loving sister, Miranda Broadbrook. 'Sakes alive, Molly, won't that be great! Well, I don't know, John, she's used to fine clothes and fancy meals, but she's your brotheris child, so if you want her, I guess it's all right. But wait ,till Edith comes home and see what she says. Here she comes now. Hello, Mother, I stopped in at the store for the mail, but they said Dad had taken itf' Yes, Edith, here is a letter from your Aunt Miranda, saying that Evangeline has been ill with a nervous collapse and needs some rest. She would like to have her come to visit us for several weeks. Would you like to have her, dear? Oh, yes, indeed! Edith was very eager. Very well, said her mother, sitting down to write to the city relation. The preparations for the arrival of the fashionable cousin went forward. On the day set for Evangelineis arrival, Edith's father washed up the buggy and drove down to Cloverdale station. He found so many boxes and bags there that he had to send the hired man to fetch them all in the ox cart. The neighbors gazed in amazement at the style of the city lady. Evangeline ate a hearty supper of fried chicken, shortcake and cream and then, with the excuse that she was fatigued, went to bed early.

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Evangeline was to leave the farm at 4:30 and get the 6 o,clock mail coach. After dinner Evangeline went to her room to rest as she had done every day of her visit. Mrs. Broadbrook sent Edith to call her. Edith went to Evangeline's room and knocked on the door-she knocked again and when she still failed to receive a reply, she opened the door. Evange- line was not there, but on the floor, as if dropped in a hurry, was the letter which Evangeline had received that morning. Edith opened it and found, instead of the letter telling Evangeline to come home, merely this one line: In the grove at 2:30. Edith rushed back to the kitchen, threw her mother the note and ran on to the grove. On her way she met Charles walking along, whistling merrily. Charles, she cried in despair, have you seen Evangeline this afternoon?,' I guess I have, he answered coolly. Where is she? demanded Edith. u Well, I guess by now she's many miles from here! What do you mean? u Do you mean to tell me that you didn't know that she was sent to visit you, not because of her health, but because she was in love with Fred Canton, a Government Official, that her parents didn't want her to marry? Well, I had an idea about it. Well, the minute he found out where she was being sent, he got in touch with me and asked me to arrange their elopement. He was my best friend in the city when I lived there and when I left him I promised I'd do anything for him, so now I,ve done it. You mean that Evangeline has eloped! Yes, indeed, replied Charles, and they started walking. As they passed the tree under which all of the elopement had been planned, Edith stopped and read in plain letters, cut deep into the tree, not only the E which she had seen from the distance and believed stood for Evangeline, but the whole name EDITH. Oh! she sighed with relief. They looked first at the carving and then at each other. He whispered, Edith, let's follow their example! -Isabelle Wolcott, '27.