Willard Middle School - Target Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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The Christmas llfhuce Ghost THE SKY was overcast with thick, heavy, black clouds that not even the brightest rays of a full moon could penetrate. The wind was blowing and moaning through the trees baring them of their bright crimson and yellow foliage. Through the screen of branches and blanket of heavy, cold mist there appeared a long, low house deeply shadowed by shrubs. Every- thing seemed dark but for a single light in the front of the house. Chained to the trunk of a massive tree in front of the manor, lashing and pulling at his chain, was a huge mastiff, his snarls and howls drowning the great noise of the storm. Suddenly the front door opened, and a tall man in slicker and boots stepped out. His eyes turned to the sky, and, as he pulled on a pair of gloves, he smiled slightly and then moved on. Well, Rover, old boy, are you ready to prove to the villagers that their Christmas Eve Ghost is just a story? The dog licked his master's hand in reply, and soon as unleashed they started down the wide driveway. At the entrance, Rolin Falstaff paused and looked back. Then slowly, as though time were forever, he lit a cigarette. The light of the match showed a young, handsome face, pale, though strong, with dark, lustrous, blue eyes and black, shiny hair, which curled over his fine head. Q At a fork in the road they turned and entered a more rocky section, barren of trees and roads. The only sign of travel was a dim trail which led to the top of a cliff overlooking the ocean. The going was hard and there- fore, very slow, for the wet, slimy rocks were dangerous footing. If one slipped here, he was doomed to be dashed to pieces by the terrific force of the angry waves, but soon, without mishap, they reached a hollow not quite so moist and somewhat sheltered from the cold, December wind. Here the young man stopped with a sigh of relief. Well, old chap, he said to the dog, we're here and in for a big storm, too. I'm afraid our ghost won't come tonight. An eerie howl echoed up through the rocks, encouraged by the raging wind. The young man pulled his coat up tighter around his neck with a shudder, when suddenly a low growl from the dog caused Rolin to jerk his head back. For a minute he could see nothing for the wind was blowing the rain into his eyes. Then everything cleared, and he saw standing before him on a rock dangerously close to the edge a girl in a long, white robe. Was this the fleeting figure which had so frightened the people for two previ- ous nights? The moon breaking through the clouds gave light to her exquisite beauty, and Rolin's flash showed the terror on her face. Her arms grew tense at her side, and her eyes, before lifted towards the sky, were now fixed with a frightened stare upon Rolin. Who are you? she asked in a terrorized voice. I am Rolin Falstaff, and who are you? he asked softly, not wishing to increase her fright. But fear seemed to have left her for she cautiously descended from the rock. When she reached Rolin, she looked up at him with a questioning glance. Yes, he was really there! She lifted her small, white hand and brushed it across her forehead as though trying to lift a cobweb away. I .

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GRADUATING CLASS-BOYS

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How queer, she said, looking about her, that I am here. Oh!', She suddenly seemed to remember Rolin's unanswered question. Her wonder- ful, brown eyes smiled at him, I am Elaine Lovelf' You are Elaine Lovel? Rolin staggered. Then you are the girl that was kidnapped from Paris on November seventeenth. Yes, she replied, and you have saved me from those awful wretchesf' She looked at him hopefully. It would take a long time to tell my story, she added with a sigh. The sigh awakened the dazed, young man, who, while she was talking, had completely lost himself in her auburn hair and pearl-white teeth. Come, he blinked. It's too cold. I cannot offer you much, but I can take you where it will be warmer and more comfortable than this. The girl smiled wanly. Anything would be better than this, she answered, too tired to speak more, and they began the dangerous descent. When they arrived at the bottom, Rolin carried the faint girl to the house. Who is that? asked the astonished butler of Rolin. It's a girl, the young man breathed back. Arnold, call Anne and ask her to come to the library immediately, he added. Anne Falstaif, R0lin's charming sister, soon had the beautiful Elaine comfortable. The soothing drink and some of Anneis clothes made a great difference, and then Rolin appeared to hear Elaine's story. You know the old castle here at Land's End?', she began. They nod- ded. I've been there. I donit know my captors. The only time I have seen anyone was at mealtime. Oh, it was horrible! Musty, dirty, dark, and rats everywhere. It seems as though the place hasn't been used for many years. No, replied Rolin. You see the people of the village have seen you enter and come from it, and they believe you to be .the ghost of the Earl's daughter, who was murdered there many years ago on a Christmas Eve. That night her ghost is supposed to appear. Of course no one ever goes up there because they are all so superstitious. I went up on the cliff tonight to kill their silly stories, but please continue. Pardon me for interruptingf' That's all right, Elaine smiled, curving her pretty lips sweetly. That makes it clearer for me. I must have been delirious most of the time. You remember when I rubbed my hand across my forehead? Yes, replied Rolin. Well, that's when I came to myself. I don't know how I got out of the castle. The windows were all barred, and there were guards everywhere. Neither do I know why I went to the top of the cliff. That's my story and I cannot thank you enough for saving me. It was just a coincidence, Rolin replied smiling modestly. Long after the household had retired Rolin, still up, strode from the library to the front garden, where Rover lay quiet as the night. The clouds were clearing away, and the silvery gray of the full moon made latticed shadows on the ground. The dawn was graying in the east, ushering in a clear, crisp day. Well, old boy, said Rolin, as he knelt down beside the dog, do you like her? The dog licked his master's hand. So do If' said Rolin, a very happy young man, as he stole back into the house just as Christmas Day dawned. Alice D. Davis. i