Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1929-10-31
CHAPTERI

There are two whole columns on
the disarmament conference.-the fig
ures, and quotations. and simply tire
mendous big words" said Ginger Ella
in discouraged tone. "Oh, here's a
little bit of column about the Elks'
May day fete and beauty pageant"
She settled herself to read with a
SNUG little flounce Of eagerness.
"You may skip that" said her ia.
Their. "We know all about the beauty
pageant"
His daughter sighed resignedly. II
suppose you want Lloyd George and
the Communists, although it does not
look very churchy TO me-"
She read patiently, in low clear
voice, paragraph after paragraph. sit
ting on the couch beside the reading
lamp, little, eager and slim-with
eyes that just would wander, despite
her best and most daughterly inten-
tons. from the stupid newsprint to
the simply fascinating goings-On in
the opposite corner of the wide room,
where Marjory, the pretty twin. love-
lier than any picture stood on low
stool, like a goddess lifted up, with
her bevy of wOrshipers at her feet.
while down on their knees before her.
were Miriam, the brainy twin, and
Helen. who was quite old and engaged
to be married, and Miss Jenkins
clipping stray threads here and there.
tucking, patting and pulling, in vain
endeavor to add greater charm to her
girlish beauty.
But although Gingers eyes would
wander, the memory Of her father.
sitting still and limp, so patient, in
the big chair at her side, his kind
eyes closely bandaged, quickly brought
her own straying orbs back to the
OnerOus news. By rights, it was
Miriams job to read the papers to
her father. But Miriam, being a
twin to Marjory, would naturally wish
to assist in preparing her TO win the
Elks' club beauty prize.
"'And this in spite of the frank
warning of President Coolidge that
the United States will regard any
such move with extreme disfavor,'
finished Ginger with flourish
Here's a paragraph On MussOlini and
God. In my opinion it would look a
the shoulders entirely. Oh, excuse
me, father, I'm so sorry. Here's para
graph on Mellon cutting the tax
melon-three hundred billions, no mil
lions-Well, 1t doesn't interest us
either way. Oh, here's lovely write
up Of the buffet supper that is to be
served at the Elks' club fete at ten
o'clock-bouillon, chicken sandwiches.
tomato aspic-"
Reverend Mr.. Tolliver smiled indul
gently. He might nor see, but what
father but could feel the wandering
eyes and the truant thoughts of six
teen-year-old daughter on the eve of
a beauty pageant.
"Put the paper up now, Ellen. I'm
full of news. Suppose you play little
bright-eyes for me, instead, and tell
me what is going on over there, with
= all that shipping OF scissors, and oh
ing and ah-ing."
"Oh, father" Ginger doubled her.
self up rapturously, enfolding both
her slim knees in her arms "Oh,
father, 1t is glorious Marjory-hon.
estIy, father, MarjOry is so pretty ii
doesn't seem possible. Miss Jenkins
is down on the floor with five pins in
her mouth, and her dress pulled up.
over her knees to keep from soiling
it,"
Miss Jenkins, with guilty haste Gov.
cred the offending members.
"They weren't her best Ones-the,
had isle tops. But | saw silk ruff
fie, just the same. You're really miss
ing quite lot, you know" continued