Entangled Hearts

Chapter 5

By the time Gene reached the schoolhouse the next morning, he was so sorry for what he had said to Laura Mae the night before that he stopped her in the hall.

"Laura Mae," he said, "Can you forgive me for last night? I am sorry and did not mean to be rude. Please say that I can walk home with you tonight."

Laura Mae's pride had been injured and was not to be mended so easily. She, too, had argued with herself the night before and had decided that Gene should be punished for showing such unbridled jealousy. Her answer to him was short and cold.

"When I forgive you and want you to walk home with me, I will ask you to." She turned and hurried into the English room.

The English teacher made the class into one of Current Events. He picked up the newspaper from the day before, dated December 16, 1914, and read to the class how a group of fast German cruisers had crossed the North Sea to England and had destroyed three coast towns, killing some fifty people, most of whom were women and children. He looked up from the paper and said,

"The situation in Europe is becoming very serious. If this struggle continues, I shall not be surprised if our own United States becomes involved in the conflict. It may not be within the next few days or within the next few months, but I think we will surely be affected by it. If such a thing should happen that our country is called into real war, it may mean that you boys, now in high school, may be called to defend your homes and loved ones."

A pang struck Laura Mae's heart. War! She would never be able to see Gene be shot down by an enemy whom he had never harmed. "Phil?" she thought, "Well, it would not be so hard to see him go." It was a different feeling she had toward him. For a second, she was almost sorry that she had not forgiven Gene before class when he had asked her to let him come back. No! Gene must be cured of his jealousy! That was conclusive.

At noon, Phil noticed the coolness between Gene and Laura Mae and took advantage of the fact. He came toward her with his winning smile playing upon his lips.

"Are you all ready for the big Basketball game tomorrow?" he asked.

"You bet I am." She returned his smile. "It will be your hardest game, but we are behind the team. Placerville players won't have a ghost of a chance against you fellows, I am sure."

"Do you know how to give this forward added strength and courage to win this game?"

"No, tell me," she urged.

"Just say you will let me escort you here tonight, and I'll play harder than I have ever played. Will you let me call for you?" He nearly pleaded.

"I will if Father doesn't object," she answered with a carefree smile. Gene would be punished tonight. "Do you hear that? 'Yer pep! Yer pep! You've got it, now keep it! Dog-gawn it, don't lose it! Yer pep!' They're starting the pep rally; I better get into line.

"I'll see you when school is out, then. May I walk home with you to the crossroads?"

"Sure, I'll see you later." She waved her hand and hurried out into the line of students that were yelling and snake-dancing up and down the auditorium.