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Anglo-American Alliance: A Serio-Comic Romance and Forecast of the Future

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<h2 class="label">CHAPTER II</h2> <h2 class="main">The Initiation</h2></div> <div class="divBody"> There was no cause for ennui at the Diana Seminary. Notwithstanding the serious course of study, there was ample jollity. The tedium of their leisure hours was beguiled with all kinds of recreations according to the seasons of the year. <div class="figure xd22e443width"><ANTIMG src="images/p020.jpg" alt="A “Full-Back” in 1960" width-obs="335" height-obs="508"> A “Full-Back” in 1960 </div> There were the various Seminary teams in basket ball, fencing, golfing, calisthenics and amateur theatricals. The girls also indulged in excursions to the exhibitions of the Academy boys, on their gala days of mimic warfare in the campus, as well as to their contests on the diamond or gridiron at foot ball. This latter sport having reached in those days the top notch of perfection, it furnished the fair spectators thrills of excitement when the contestants in their improved steel helmets and cuirass, with pronged leggings and spiked shoes looked like veritable knights of the chivalric ages. It [21]gave an additional source of lingering pleasure and admiration at such contests when half a dozen ambulances were required to cart away the gladiators in hors du combat. Besides all the above recreations, the Seminary girls had also their various secret organizations which furnished ample work for winter months. One of the most notable of these fraternities was called the D. N. A., signifying “Daughters of the New Alliance.” A brief description of the sacred rites of this unique fraternity, on an interesting initiation, may not here be amiss. It took place during the incumbency of the two principal organizers and charter members—Aurora and Margaret,—the latter occupying at the time the most exalted position of Reverend High Priestess and the former that of Supreme Guide. The initiation in question was remarkable for the singular coincidence that the applicants for membership were discovered to be of half a dozen nationalities—French, German, Scotch, Irish, Italian and Hebrew,—and this unusual circumstance lent the occasion widespread sensation among the other members and made the session most memorable. [22] A peep in the temple revealed a bewildering spectacle, an “Adamless Eden” of loveliness as it were. Margaret MacDonald, enveloped in gorgeously embroidered Grecian robes, enthroned on an elevated dais, a golden sceptre in hand, and a brilliant diadem on her shapely head, presented an imposing figure as High Priestess, while Aurora in a tight fitting cuirass of variegated spangles, holding a trident, performed her official duties. Other functionaries attired in chaste Grecian costumes occupied their respective positions. In the proscenium the applicants, attired in their respective national costumes, followed the assistant guide to the gate of the temple when, on pressing a button, an extremely melodious chant surged through the atmosphere. This called the attention of the Supreme Guide to the fact that there were applicants for membership. The Supreme Guide in the same manner then made the announcement to the high priestess, and the latter commanded them to be admitted to the temple. At the clanking of the cymbals and the sounding of the fanfares as if by magic the gate was ajar, revealing to the eyes of the new disciples a dazzling scene of harmoniously [23]blended loveliness. They filed in and arranged themselves in the shape of a crescent at the lower end of the temple. In the centre of the room, on an alabaster table, they could discern a glass receptacle in which, squirming and wriggling, were a quantity of angle worms; on another similar table close by they could see a golden cage, wherein half a dozen tiny rodents were playing tag. In one corner a fierce, pugnacious billy-goat was butting with vicious vigor against one of the Grecian columns of the temple. When the sound of the fanfares subsided the High Priestess, rising suddenly and striking three times on the marble floor with her magic sceptre, commanded silence, and in a sweet voice spoke thus: “Supreme Guide of the order of D. N. A. what bringest thou to this sanctuary?” The guide answered in pathetic tones: “Thou High Priestess of the order of D. N. A., I bring thee greeting. I bring thee also jewels rare, for thy shrine; gems, not still life or crystals petrified, but forms divine, animate with heaving breasts, with radiant brows, and sparkling eyes that volumes speak, that even Cupid, [24]dazed, would soon forget his ancient Psyche fair, and yet unable be whom amongst these for himself to take.” “Have they signified their willingness to be tested for courage and fortitude?” “They have.” “Are they ready to travel through the tortuous path of the inquisition?” “They are.” “Then prithee, take them to the ante-chamber that their eyes may be blindfolded and the robes of chastity may be thrown over them. Then bring them thither through the tortuous path of the inquisition to my presence.” Accordingly they were taken to the ante-room and while being prepared for the journey they were given plain intimation that they were to make a repast of the angle worms and fondly handle the young rodents, while direct hints of riding the bellicose goat were thrown out, as though this were the least of the test to which they were to be subjected. Preparation for their return to the Temple being completed, their readiness was again communicated as before and to the solemn but inspiring Andante of Faust they began to wind [25]through a path of serpentine evolutions. On their journey many strange and threatening voices came to their ears, some cursing their undertaking and advising them to return before too late, some whispering that they were about to step into an abyss or to encounter dire disaster. But by the guidance and occasional prod by the trident of timid and erratic disciples they proceeded onward with cautious steps. When almost at the end of their journey, however, there was a sharp cry from one of the applicants which caused the procession to halt. Lady Rosa Redmont Davitt, the daughter of an Irish noble,—a comely girl, with laughing eyes, full of wit and humor and with a strong combative instinct, withal very popular at the seminary—gave vent to her distress in a piquant but pleasing accent: “Ouch! Your Riverence,” said she, “It is not that I moind to ride the wild billy goat, or am afraid to swallow the serpints, but divil a bit I can shtand this pinching of my goide, your Riverince; my back is almost bhlack and bhlue.” “It is well that thou hast spoken,” said the [26]Priestess; “it was because of thy untractable erratic steps and non-susceptibility to the promptings of thy guide that thou hast suffered, for according to the ratio of the loyalty and sensitiveness to her touch, thy sufferings will come to an end. Follow thou, then, fair maid, with keen perception to the subtle touch of thy guide. Supreme Guide of the order of D. N. A. let the procession proceed.” The march having been resumed and finished, they stood thus blindfolded before the High Priestess in order to be tested for courage and fortitude. Each applicant was led by the guide before her, who, for fortitude, administered the angle worm, and for courage trailed the mouse over their limbs. It is perhaps unnecessary to mention that macaroni was substituted for the angle worm and that an artificial mouse served as a lively rodent. When these sacred and solemn rites were performed the applicants were taken through numerous evolutions of a march to the centre of the room, in front of a table, whereon rested in the folds of American and British colors the Constitution and By-laws of the Order. There the oath of Allegiance was administered and [27]at a thunderous outburst of music, the bandages were cut asunder and the applicants found themselves in the glow of a diffused light. Standing in the middle of the room, surrounded by rows of graceful girls arrayed in immaculate Grecian costumes, were all the other members of the Order. While the High Priestess, majestically waving her sceptred arm, proclaimed them tried and true members of D. N. A. The ceremonies were concluded by the singing of the National Anthems. [28] </div> </div> <div id="ch3" class="div1 chapter">[Contents] <div class="divHead"> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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