The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-06-01

"NO SeTNlCo
TOR twenty-five years the annual
ball at the Wildcliff School for
Girls had been the big event; then all
the cadets from the nearby military
academy came In their colorful uni
forms Of French blue; then sweet
hearts, fathers and mothers from
home
Tonight the college was In readi-
ness for the colossal event. At her
window at the far end Of the second
floor hall Fran Marshall, teacher Of
English and literature, sat looking out
over the rolling campus bathed In a
soft silver moonlight. Twenty years
ago, she had been a girl of Wildcliff
and had been thrilled at the prospects
Of the annual ball.
She, too, had had her party dress
a white wolfe with lace-edged ruffles
around the bottom.
And 1t 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 Fran Mar
shall had danced nine dances with the
tall 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 gymnasium.
He had liked her white dress, but
most Of all, he had liked her emerald
earrings, long slender pendants set In
dull gold, falling almost to her shout
ders. He had said emerald green was
his favorite color. And he had kissed
her that night and said he would come
back
Fran never left Wildcliff 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 a dark, slen-
der girl came In. radiant In a chiffon
frock.
Peggy Thompson was the schools
peppiest girl and rules meant little to
her. Fran knew of the happy go-lucky
father who was seldom home long
enough to get acquainted with his love-
ly, motherless daughter Peggy
showed letters from Africa, Asia, Gen.
trail America, and recently, from
Egypt.
II thought I'd find you dressing for
the dance, Miss Marshall Sam Is
here, and I don't know what to do with
him."
Sam" queried Fran. (which one
Of the SWANS is Sam?"
"Sam is my father He landed in
New York this morning.
"Oh, am glad he is your father I
thought 1t 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 I
hardy know Sam. He is a good old
scout, but such vagabondI But I do
declare, Miss Marshall, I don't know
what I shall do with him with Bobby
and Hank and Ed to look after"
well. my dear, don't neglect your
father. You are all he has, you know.
Let the boys shift for themselves"
Sam Is lecturing me something
fierce for having my hair shingled.
Says he likes old-fashioned girls. Oh,
Miss Marshall, let me do your hair.
Part it In the middle and coil 1t low
on your neck. Please now
And you should have earrings
Fran Marshall smiled at herself in
the mirror an hour later. Her usual
ly sleek hair was softened over the
ears and coiled low on her neck. Her
dress was white, lovely soft silk
thing she had bought In New York.
Fran always wore a white dress. For
a second her hand toyed with the en-
erald earrings In her jewel case.
Twenty years ago tonight she had worn
those exquisite things and then
she was fastening them In her ears.
As she Joined the other members of
the faculty. Peggy Thompson spied her
and came across the floor holding fast
to the hand of q big blond man.
Miss Marshall, Sam. And Miss
Marshall, this Is my father"
He looked straight into Fran's eyes,
a questioning gaze. He smiled at her
as he took her hand In his, and with
the other hand, he touched an earring
that nearly reached to her shoulder.
Earrings Of emerald :. white
dress Wildcliff and those
twenty years are bridged. I would
have known you anyway, but the en-
erald really proves you are you.
came back, twenty years ago, but you
had not given me your namel
couldn't find you, but never forgot"
For the love of Mike, Sam, what
are you talking aboutT" demanded his
daughter.
Il mean, young lady, you can save
a dance for your old Dad along about
the last I win be busy up to that
time. Here comes your young Lochin-
var In blue, just as I came, twenty
years ago. Run away, my dear. and
Wen see you later"
Peggy Thompson came into Fran
MarshaIps room, long after the last
guest had gone. She snuggIed down