Wethersfield High School - Elm Yearbook (Wethersfield, CT)

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They were watching the girl, when suddenly she turned back, and recognizing the two men, she smiled and ran forward. A long white evening wrap hung carelessly about her, and Smith wondered why he had never noticed her extreme beauty. How fortunate to find you here, she cried as she reached their table. My car has broken down and canit be fixed tonight. Worse than that, I haven't a cent of money with me. Would one of you mind taking me home? I simply can't go alone. Stewart was all honey. He leaned forward and spoke confidingly in her ear-just loud enough, however, for Smith to hear. My friend here would be delighted, Miss Hough. Sorry I couldn't have the pleasure myself, but I'm taking a train for Philly in twenty minutes. Smith groaned inaudibly. Ann smiled. Oh, that's darling!,' she breathed. When Stewart had left, Smith called a taxi and took the girl home. She talked incessantly, and her escort, tired with the day's work, was relieved when she had said good night. The next day Smith was awakened at ten by a sharp ring of the tele- phone. He cursed softly to be aroused so early, and cursed more when he learned it was Stewart. Have a good time last night? his cheery voice came over the wire. If you ever try a trick like that again, I'll-if' Oh, forget it,', Stewart laughed. You need a little experience for this play of yours. By the by, I have a corking new idea. I'1l Write your love scene for you, if you will do something for me. Smith's mood changed. He liked to talk of his play. Thus, an hour later found him at his friend's office,-manuscript in hand. Listen, Stewart began, I've already written a new love scene. It's very simple. Now, what you must do is to try it out on some girl. Sec what effect it has on her and alter it accordingly in the final writing. Take Ann Hough. She'd never accept you, you may be sure of that. She's having too good a time racing around. What in the name of the seven mad gods do you think I am!', Don't be silly, old man. Your play is of great importance to you now. You must make it a success. This would be the only wayf, Smith pondered. He longed for success. Really, don't you think it rather absurd for me to attempt such a thing? he asked. That's the way all authors do. You must have local color. Come now, don,t be so backward. Before Smith left the office, he had determined to carry out his adviser's plans. That night he took Miss Hough to the theatre, and three nights during the following week, they were together. Then came the

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Iflfcp K L?-WIA LQ' f-s' -' fx 1 A 5.155 I Av 'sf I ii ' V -A , ' 'H u aj . Af' THE PLAY WILL D0 IT As the chimes in a nearby cathedral were telling of midnight, two gentlemen entered La Bijou Blanche Cafe --a rendezvous for night revellers. Stewart, the former, - a brisk, rather stocky stype of man in his early forties, led the way to a secluded table apart from the rest. When the waiter had departed with their orders, the younger man, who possessed the extraordinary name of Smith, lit a cigarette, then burst out impatiently, -- 1'Well, what do you think of my play? You can,t be very enthusi- astic over it, for you haven't mentioned it once this evening. 'just wanted to wait till now, so's we could discuss it privatelyf, UGO on then. I'm prepared for the worst. To tell che truth, Smith, the plot is a peach, but there are a few scenes that are bad. For instance, that courting scene. I know that if I were a girl, and a fellow handed out such a lot of rot, just to say he loved me, I'd turn him down. Youill have to improve it. I know it, but, Stewart, you must remember I've never made love in my life. How do you expect me to put over anything like that? You are so adept at it, you might help me outf, Stewart smiled. In his youth li had been famous for his many love aigfairs and he liked to have them mentioned. Have your hero say less, he advised. It's more effective. Then don't use language that's above the common intellect. 'Let us arbitratel' Why, that sounds like a peace treatylu x I suppose so, Smith murmured, as with unusual precision he knocked the ashes from his cigarette. I don't know why I ever started such a thing. It's just one huge flop. just then the waiter returned with the food, and the play was dropped for the present. As Smith emptied the contents of his flask into his ginger ale, a girl brushed past. Stewart gasped. Why, that,s Ann Hough! Doesn't she look marvelous. Europe has done her good, I guess.

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fateful evening. He smiled with satisfaction as he walked before the tall looking-glass. After all, he was good-looking. Six feet and more in height, sparse and brown, with a tiny black chevron of manhood on his upper lip. Stewart had encouraged him to the last and, indeed, he felt quite confident as he jumped into his car and scooted toward her home. Ann was at the door when he leapt up the stairs. It's so perfect tonight, let's go for a drive,', she said when she saw he had brought his car. They went. Speeding along over the road, he wondered if he would lose courage at the last moment. Soon they stopped on a high hill where they could watch the late moon rise. As the moth-white orb fluttered up, Smith felt a queer sensation. He spoke softly to his partner, and in a minute it was over. He had proposed! He couldnlt remember what he had said, he only heard her sigh, 'lOh, I'm so happy! t Then he took her home and' lingered but a minute to say good night. When he awoke next morning, the scene of the preceding night came clearly to him. Not until then did he realize his folly. She had ac- cepted and now, what a hole he was in! He'd take Stewart's head off today for ever suggesting such a plan. No. He wouldn,t tell him any- thing, but would see Ann that very afternoon and explain everything. She would understand, he knew. They arranged to go for another drive, and when he called around, she was ready,-attired in deep sapphire, that reflected the color of her eyes. They drove and drove. Somehow Smith couldn,t seem to explain matters, for every time he looked at her he changed his mind. Oh, gollyf' he gasped finally, I thought I was only pretending to love you last night, but Fortune fooled me,-I really do. And there's no moon here now to kid me along, either!,' -Olive Symonds, ,29. TIME Time Is the only thing In this wide world Of ours Which, To be saved, Must be spent. -Gertrude Francis, '2 S.