The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-05-24
The Four
BY WALDO L. CLEMENT
g. Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.


was intended for good natured kidding
or otherwise / don't know, but any
way it stuck.
We were together great deal those
flying months; Tom and Laura, Anna
and /.
Of hip. His hair was the color of corn
silk and his eyes blue. The girl called
him "The Viking"
Laura was like him; big boned, red
haired and good natured.
Anne was different; she was slim
and dark haired and quiet.
/ never went in for athletics like
Tom. A good book interested me
more; an hour in the lab, burning
holes in my shirt and concocting vii
famous chemical smells suited me bet
ter. A thin body on long spindly legs
had something to do with it.
Tom and Laura were the life Of any
gathering. The fact that they were
seniors didn't bother them bit. They
chased each other up and down stairs
in the most undignified manner and
hurled insults at each other with
friendly grins. They were good pals.
Anne and laughed at their FRANKS but
couldn't do these things ourselves; we
weren't built that way.
Tom never took any liberties with
Anne. He never washed her face in
snow or called her a bow-legged bum
the way he did Laura. He never APP
peared at ease when alone with her.
They both acted funny that way.
Once / saw Tom kiss Laura when
they were dancing and the lights were
low. She laughed and pushed him
away and five minutes later they were
quarreling animatedly about the cor
rect way to spell cantaloupe.
The inevitable happened, Of course.
Those fool tongue-wagging sophs
started the story that they were en-
gagged. 1t burned me up
Just before the holidays we had a
class sleigh ride; all the usual fXings
including four horses, jingling bells,
fur robes and long sleigh filled with
straw. We piled in heller SHELTER, and
somehow "The Four" were together as
usual. l built a cushion of straw for
Anne's back and she leaned her Shout
der against mine. 1t made me feel
that 1 was responsible for her protec-
ton and comfort. came near propos-
ing to her that night.
On the long ride over the snow
packed country roads we sung lively
college songs as we snuggled down
under the robes and thrilled at the
touch of soft hands in our own.
Coming home the moon was just
dropping over Sawyer's hill when we
reached the long steep grade by the
mill pond. l remember we were sing
ing something about "Soft and Low"
when a big black dog jumped over the
wall barking furiously. We felt a
sudden jerk that threw US backward
and the singing stopped; then came
the thudding roll of hoofs and biting
wind filed with clods of snow blew
over US.
Scrambling to our knees, we saw the
driver saving furiously at the bits and
over the heads of the galloping horses
the deep valley flowing up to meet US.
The road was narrow and curved to
the right at the foot of the hill. IT
seemed to end abruptly in the deep
woods.
The sleigh began to rock dangerous
ly and skid from side to side like the
lash of a whip. Some of the girls
screamed and stood up preparing to
jump. l could feel Anne trembling as
she buried her face on my shoulder.
Then / heard Laura's voice ring out
clear and confident She staggered
across the bouncing sleigh and muster
ing all her superb strength hurled the
frightened girls fiat, "Crawl to the
right side and hang on" she cried.
well make it,"
1t was a miracle that we did. The
sleigh tipped perilously as it rounded
the curve and it seemed an eternity be-
fore we settled back and the founder
ing horses gained the road to plunge
forward again. But Laura had gone
over the side. l saw her fall, clutch
ing at space, and forgot Anne. for
got everything but Laura. Leaping
feet first and praying l wouldn't strike
her, / followed.
A pine tree took care of me; burly
pine that cracked two Of my ribs and
knocked me unconscious with one
blow.
When opened my eyes Laura was
bending over me. She was crying and
/ knew she had just kissed me. Her
mouth was trembling. "Bob." she
whispered hoarsely, then choked up
and began to cry again. My side was
aching but l put my arms around her
and kissed her. / kissed her many
times and thrilled at her heart beating
against mine. Il love you, Laura"
said holding her close. 81 don't care If
you and Tom are engaged, you're
mine"
''Tom?" she eyed me queerly, "that
clumsy clown?" The old ready laugh
dubbed in her throat, then suddenly
serious she stepped back and shook
her head. But Anne?" her eyes were
probing into mine. II thought you
that she"
l was still attempting to describe
just how it was when we overlook the
rest of the crowd. They were paired
off, walking slowly. and the very last
ones were Tom and Anne. She hao
her head on his shoulder and was talk.
ing and laughing softly. 1t surprised
me, knowing how quiet and reserved
she was. 1.-The Four"-"One for all
and all for one"-and they hadn't even