Winthrop High School - Winthrop Winner Yearbook (Winthrop, ME)

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VVINTHROP HIGH SCHOOL 27 Silence prevailed a while and then Davis spoke up. You can't be a killer, not with what you've done for me. I-Iow did you hap- pen to kill the man? Well, it was over money that I bor- rowed from a loan shark. He threatened me and one night in his office, more of a den, when he saw I wasnIt able to pay the money plus the enormous interest, he pulled a gun. In the dark his gun went off during the struggle and I left him there. Afterwards I learned he was dead and knowing the odds were against me, I skipped town and hit for Canada. The rest you knowf' I see, mused Davis. Why didn't you leave me outside there to die in the storm? 1' Iyd rather not answer that one, re- plied Reed looking away from Davis. A week went by and Sergeant Davis was well again, ready to go back with his prisoner to headquarters. Some- thing seemed to trouble him however, and finally when Reed said that it was time to go back ffor some reason he didn't escape when he had a chance toj, Davis spoke. I've made up my mind. Iim going to let you go freef, The other one stared. I Are you mad? VVhy you'll be risking arrest and - That can take care of itselfff Davis cut in. Three days later two men stood on the bank of a river near a canoe. Best of luck to youf' spoke Davis with a tremor in his voice and shaking Reedis hand. The money I gave you should take you back to civilization, by a round about way and give you a new start in life. I-I know you,ll make good. You donit know what this means to me, replied Reed. I'll go to some small town so the police wouldn,t have so much chance to recognize me and you can depend on me to live an honest life. I -I -, his voice choked and he turned abruptly and quickly disappeared in the woods behind. A week later back at headquarters Davis turned in his report. This is what it read. - DEAD BILL REED FOUND DEAD OF EREEZING STOP 58 M I L E S NORTHVVEST OF FORT JACKSON STOP fSignedj Sergeant Davis Lewis Hozempa, ,'39. Hispaniola In 1700 before you were alive, A treasure ship sailed with the outgoing tide. Her crew amounted to seventy-live But not one of them is now alive. The HispaniolaH was the big shipis name And when sailed she made great fame. The bow of theiboat the captain had aimed At 'Treasure Island off the coast of Maine. They reached Treasure Island in early morn, And they found the treasure at jamaica next dawn Of the very large crew of seventyfflve Only six reached home alive. The treasure was taken aboard the ship And each man got his share to pay for the trip. Every man went home with very good pride And knew he was lucky to get home alive. Chester Lavalle, 40

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26 VVINTHROP WINNER The Wilderness Trail It was ten days since Sergeant Davis had left Fort jackson on the trail of Bill Reed wanted for the shooting of a man back .in the states. Yesterday he left the river and picking up the law-breakerls trail continued on with snowshoes. It was winter, but this particular day the sun was out, shining from a cloudless sky. As Sergeant Davis pushed on thru the brush his thoughts went back to his boyhood and presently came back to the present and the fugitive. He loved his work but not this kindg going out after a man and bringing him back, sort of a cat and mouse affair. For once the H Mounties 'I were on the trail the man had but a slim chance to escape. Ouch! he exclaimed suddenly. A branch across the trail stung him across his face and brought him back in his senses again. Guess I better look where I'm going, he said. Wfowl Look at those clouds. Un- less I'm mighty mistaken therels going to be one sweet storm. A bank of black, menacing clouds had come up and it was to these that he glanced for a moment. 'K I'd better hurry up or the storm will cover up his tracksf' VVith this he fastened his snowshoes on more secure and hurried on. A while back he had come upon some warm ashes, remnants of a fire and he knew his man wasn't far off. For an hour or so he kept up a terrinc pace. Meanwhile the clouds had shut out the sun and already the wind began to blow through the tree tops. In a few minutes thin flakes of snow began to fall. Davis knew he wouldnlt be able to catch up with the man ahead and so he began to look for a place to shelter him from the storm. 1 Suddenly he felt himself sinking and before he could attempt to save himself he was waist deep in water. He felt his snowshoe straps snap in his plunge and thus his legs were free. Desperately he clutched to the thin ice surrounding him. I-Ie had learned many things while in training school and he was mighty thank- ful now. In a second he freed his pack straps and heard everything slide into the water. Breaking the thin ice, he pulled him- self ashore and clambered up the bank. The blast of the storm struck his wet figure with hurricane force and freezing temperature. I've got to find shelter quickf' he muttered through chattering teeth. K' I'm freezing to death. Continuing along the trail without snowshoes, he felt his strength waning after a few hundred yards. K' I can't keep this up any longer, he whispered. K' Things are turning black, but I've got to keep going, I've got to. Saying this he sank to the ground un- conscious. How long ago this happened, he knew not, for when he awoke he felt the warmth of a fire and apparently the storm was over. I wonder where I am? How is it that Ilm living? H All these and many other questions filled his troubled mind as he lay in a crude shelter. At that moment a man entered. You awake FU he inquired. Feeling any better? U i'Yes, I am, Davis replied. And you're the one who saved my life, I believe. Aw, thatls all right, forget itf, 'K Not me, I only hope I can repay you somehow somedayf, By the way I'm Sergeant Davis of the R. N. M. P., what is yours ? Bill Reed, replied the man non- chalantly. It's -'I Bill Reed, gasped the Sergeant. I-Iere let me take a good look at you. Yeh, I guess you are,', he said slowly remembering the picture at headquarters.

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T28 WINTHROP WINNER Sapphire Bradley gazed around the room. His eyes roved carelessly from diamond rings to pearl necklaces and glittering bracelets captured his attention for breathless seconds. He though of how fortunate he was to have met the charming Lady Easton. Now he was working in society. He was no longer an ordinary thief. He recalled the following conversation which came to his ears quite unexpectedly, then droned on monotonously: My dear! Wotild you believe it! She is going to wear it tonight! Really? How can she dare! They say there is a curse on it. l shiver to think of having it in my possession! The greatest prize to a thief would be the Compton sapphire ! She probably just can't resist the temptation to show it off. You know how she is: but darling, l can hardly wait to see it ! XVell, all I can say iswetc.-etcf- Bradley's purpose was to get the Comp- ton sapphire. He couldn't waste time marveling at other brilliant gems. His eyes darted endlessly around. There! There it was! He mustnit lose sight of it! He mustn't become excited! Keep- ing calm, cool and collected was his big asset. The evening wore on with Brad- ley's eyes fixed on the beautiful sapphire. Finally, guests were leaving. The Comp- ton sapphire was unclasped, handed to a tall, distinguished looking gentleman, and placed unnoticable in a tall silk hat. In a second it would be safe again. Brad- ley was the only person who noticed this movement. He mulst work fast. His actions were smooth and clever. Then, he hailed a taxi. Then he was speeding away to safety. No one would know who took it. Many people had the op- portunity. He would show jones his prize. jones would be amazed. Bradley had worked with him for a long time. But if he ditched jones wouldn't he be more profitable? lt would be safer to work alone anyway. The cab stopped. Bradley paid the driver and strode up the steps. He reached into his pocket to clasp the jewel into his hand. He swal- lowed hard. The jewel was gone! Wfhere? The taxi! Maybe he dropped it in the taxi! Hey! Wait a minute! He rushed down the steps and ran for the taxi, but the cab driver drove on unheeding. Now what? Hey taxi, follow that cab and hurry. As soon as he caught up with the car, he changed cars and searched desperately. His fingers felt along the seat. Cold beads of perspiration stood out upon his forehead. Then, his fingers felt a hard cold object. He found it! XVhew! That sure was a close one! He moped his brow and heaved a big sigh. His heart beating wildly, he returned to his hotel. 'When he opened the door of his room he found jones sitting upright in his chair with an excited look of ex- pectancy covering his long face. How was the luck tonight, Bradley? Did ,ja get it ? Bradley snapped, Yeah, I got it. But never mind that now. Grab your bags and step on it. VVe've got to catch the S. S. Rumaniaf' Bradley grinned, thinking of his clev- erness and how he was going to give jones the slip in Europe. On the boat in the seclusion of a state- room, Bradley thrust his hands into his pockets and squared his shoulders. He said, VVell, jonsie, want to see it? This will show you that I can tell a jewel when I see one. There is no use denying it. lim clever and I know it. Here-here it is. See? Isn't she a beauty PM jones turned his eyes upon the shining object. He paused, then his eyes widened and he said, Bradey! thatis -'l Bradley interrupted saying, Yeah! Tsn't that a wonderful job, though ?!! jones gazed at him for a second, then smiled and said. Sure, Bradley, Sure.