Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1935-05-16
The Four
By WALDO L. CLEMENT
g. Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.

us "The Four" Whether this name
was intended for good natured kidding
or otherwise l don't know, but any
way 1t stuck.
We were together a great deal those
flying months; Tom and Laura, Anna
and /.
Tom was broad shouldered and lean
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 viii
famous chemical smells suited me bet
ter. A thin body on long spindly legs
had something to do with 1t.
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 pranks 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 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 filed with
straw. We piled in heller SHELTER, and
somehow 'The Four" were together as
usual. l built cushion of straw for
Annes back and she leaned her shout.
der against mine. 1t made me feel
that was responsible for her protec-
ton and comfort. l 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. / remember we were sing
ing something about "Soft and Low, +"
when 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 filled 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 whip. Some of the girls
screamed and stood up preparing to
jump. could feel Anne trembling as
she buried her face on my shoulder.
Then 1 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 I'll"
1t was 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. saw her fall, clutch
ing at space, and forgot Anne. / for
got everything but Laura. Leaping
feet first and praying wouldn't strike
her, followed.
A pine tree took care Of me; a 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 put my arms around her
and kissed her. l kissed her many
times and thrilled at her heart beating
against mine. II love you, Laura" 1
said holding her close. II don't care II
you and Tom are engaged, you're
mine"
"Tom?" she eyed me queerly, that
clumsy clownY The old ready laugh
dubbed in her throat, then suddenly
serious she stepped back and shook
her head. "But Anne" her eyes were