Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-12-26
Jade Earrings
Told on Her
By HELEN ST. BERNARD
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TOR twenty-five years the annual
ball al ~StmIhmnre School Tor
Girls" had been the biz event; then
all the cadets from The nearby military
academy came In their cVloriul unit
forms of French blue; then sweet
hearts. fathers and mothers from
home.
Tonight the college was In readl-
ness for that day OF days-IomorrOw.
At her window az the far end OF the
second door hall Sally Cole, teacher
of English ami literature, sat looking
out over the rolling campus bathed IN
soft silver moonlight Twenty years
ago she had been girl of Strathmore
and had been thrilled al the prospects
OF the annual ball She, too, had had
her party dress-a white wolfe with
lace edged rufiies around the bottom.
And II was twenty years ago tonight
that the waltz and two-step had sound.
ed out over the campus until the wee
hours OF the morning. and Sally Cole
had danced nine dances with the tail
blond cadet In blue: had walked with
him beneath the oaks In the moonlight,
and eaten her Ice cream and cake with
him behind the palms In the gymna-
stun. lie had liked her white dress.
but most of all, he had liked her jade
earrings, long slender pendants sci In
dull gold. falling almost to her shout
ders. He had said jade was his ia
vorite color. And he had kissed her
that night and said he would come
back.
Sally had never Jeff Strathmore
Following her graduation she had been
placed on the faculty. And she was
smilingly tolerant OF the whispered
consultations long after the quiet bell
had rung. They were young. and only
once she argued to herself.
She moved to her dressing table TO
arrange her hair when dark, slender
girl came in. radiant In a coral chiffon
frock
Alice Wayne was the schools harum-
scnrum and rules meant little TO her.
Sally knew of the happy go-lucky In
ther who was seldom home long
enough to get acquainted with bis
lovely. motherless daughter. Alice
showed her letters from Africa. Asia.
Central America and recently, from
Egypt.
-! thought I'd find you dressing for
the dance, Miss Sally, dear. Alex Is
here. and ! don't know what to d.
with him"
"Alexf" queried Sally. which one
Of the swains Is Alexf"
"AleA is my father. He landed In
New York this morning"
"oh, | am glad he is yom father. !
though, II might be another admirer
arriving In addition to the three al
ready here. Aren't you happy to see
your fatherr'
"oh. yes" drawled the girl. But !
hardly know Alex. He Is a good OIL
scout. but such a vagabond But ! do
declare, Miss Sally, dear, ! donr know
what shall do with him with Bobby
and Hank and Earl TO look after"
well. my dear. do not neglect your
father You are all he has, you know.
Let the boys shift for themselves"
Sally smiled. with the despairins
wisdom OF youth.
ALEX Is lecturing me something
fierce for having my hair shingled.
Says he likes old-fashioned girls. Oh,
Miss Sally. let me do your hair. Part
II In the middle and coil II low on your
neck Please. Miss Sally. And
you should have earrings"
Sally Cole smiled nj herself 10 the
mirror an hour later. Her usually
sleek hair was softened over the ears
and coied low on her neck. Her dress
was white. lovely soft silken thing
she had bought In New York Sally
always had white dress For n sec,
ond her hand toyed with the jade ear.
rings In her jewel case. Twenty years
ago tonight she had worn those en-
quislte things and then she
was fastening them In her ears
AS she Joined the other members OF
the faculty Alice Wayne spIed her and
came across the door holding fast TO
the hand of q big blond man
"Ailss Cole. Alex. And Miss sally,
this Is my father"
lie looked straight into Sallys eyes,
a questioning gaze. lie smiled AT her
us he took her hand In his and with
the other hand, he touched the earring
that nearly reached TO her shoulder.
Earrings Of jade white
dress Stratbmore and
those twenty years are brldgrd.
would have known you anyway but
the Jade really proves you are yau
came back, twenty years ago, but you
had not given me your name couldn't
find you. but ! never forgot"
For the love Of Mike. Alex what
are you talking aboui1" demanded bis
daughter
81 mem, young indy. you can save
q dance for your old dad along about
the last will be busy up To TIM
time Here comes your young Loeb
lnvat In blue Run away NY lear.
and wen see you later
Alice WAYNE came into Sail, Coles
room. long after the last guest had
gone, She snuggied down In the big
chair beside the window
II don't know wiint II Is all about
Miss Snlly but Alex and ARE ever Q,
happy Some one 10 lecture Us and
love US We both need you Ana Pm
ever 50 glad that every person doesn't
wear jade earrings n that IA
what made Alex fall for you tonight
Just think what II he hndnI seen
you first :"