Page 12 - 1947

10 C. C. I. GLEANER
more of these two young ladies. Jean Moore who played "Mother V anya" had a very aging role for one so young, but took up her cues in the finest style. "The Tsar" was played by Jim Belcher who needs no comment. He completed his 16th performance on the stage during the play. Allan Morrill, who very r ealistically acted the part of the jester is another new-comer, as was Ed Duggan who performed re- marka-bly well in his role of "Ilytch." Last, but not least, we congratulate Fred 'Bell who played a very difficult
"heely" role of "Dmitri". Words of thanks and admiration to our two pianists Miss Fran Maitland and Miss Beryl Fawcett for their work. We know how 'many long hours they en- dured and what they had to put up with.
Our sincere thanks to all who had a part in the play-the cast and the choruses-the musicians-the directors
•
PRIZE WINNING ESSAYS
First Prize CUpper School) THE SPELL OF THE CAVES
The door chime sounded and Pro- fessor Saunders hurried to answer it. Outside stood a well-dressed, middle- gged man, obviously a doctor, who in- il•oduced himself as Dr. Owen, a psy- chiatrist.
"Come in, Come in," cried the professor, very happy to see him. He busied himself with the comfort of his visitor then came to stand by the fire.
"I suppose you wonder at my c-alling at this hour, but I feel that it is a very serious case. My daughter and I have just returned from an ex- pedition in the West and I fear she has been somewhat affected by her recent experience. .
"Tell me the whole story, profes- sor," urged the doctor, leaning for- ward. "I shall do my best to help. If she can be cured, I am confident that I can do it."
"Well, as you perhaps know, I am very much interested in archaeology and have made several trips in search of information. On my last trip, I was accompanied by my daughter who was also doing some searching of her own. My men had been digging at the base of a cliff when the ground gave way to disclose a system of huge underground caves."
The doctor relaxed to listen to the professor's unusual story:
"Preparations were immediately made for the descent. Rope ladders were constructed and in a few minutes ClUr party, including my daughter, was making its way along the floor of the cave. Our only light was an eerie
glow cast by the flashlights which shone on the slimy walls of the cavern. Everything was veiled in mystery. From far ahead came the sound of running water mingled with a slight, intermittent splashing. We were· now proceeding carefully along a ledg·:l several feet above the rushing torrent of an underground river.
"In a short time, we discovered the source of the splashing. In the half light we could see several large heasts climbing the walls and launch- in~ themselves into the river which was flowing smoothly at this point. The sight of these monsters was dis- gusting. They resembled nothing ever before seen by .man. Strangely enough, they seemed to be covered with both hair and scales similar to the tail of a beaver. We stood transfixed with amazement as we gazed at the spec- tacle before us.
"Suddenly, over the rim of the ledge appeared the horrible visage of cne of these apparations. It shuffled toward us. water dripping from its body, its little beady eyes glittering with hate. Mv daughter was rooted to the spot. Two men of the party drag-ged her with them as they hastily retreated. We quickly outdistanced our pursuer and scrambled up the ladders to safety.
"We pulled up our ropes and since by this time darkness was draw- ing near, prepared ourselves for the night.
"Upon arising in the morning we found strange tracks about the camp. 'Io our horror we discovered that my daughter had disappeared. The strange trail led to the opening to the caves. Immediately the necessary equipment
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audience. Obediently yours,
C.C.I. Literary Society James Belcher.