Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1930-01-09
THE STORY

THE STORY
CHAPTER lin the usually quiet
home Of Rev. Mr.. rolliver. Methodist
minister in the small town of Red
Thrush, Iowa, his motherless daugh-
tiers. Helen. Miriam, and Ellena"Gin-
ger Ella"-are busy grooming their
sister Marjory for participation In the
beauty pageant" that evening. With
Eddy Jackson, prosperous young farm
er, her escort Marjory leaves for the
anticipated triumph.
CHAPTER Homework and nerv-
Gus strain attendant on the building
OF new church to replace the out
grown structure has affected Mr.. Toll
liver's eyes to the point of threatened
blindness, and he is forbidden to use
them. though continuing to occupy his
pulpit. Ginger has tried in many ways
to add 10 the family's slender income
but she is not discouraged Marjory
introduces as Tub Andrews, returns
in triumph. acknowledged the prize
beauty. and with fifty dollars in gold,
the. chief prize. She gives the money
to her father as part of the expense
necessary for the treatment Of his eyes
by Chicago specialists.
CHAPTER IIl-With Miriam. Mr.
Tolliver leaves for Chicago. Eddy
Jackson brings another friend, Alex
ander Murdoch, who he says has just
the parsonage. Ginger, whose heart is
set on her two sisters making rich
marriages (Helen is engaged to pro-
fessor of mathematics, Horace Lang
ley, poor in the worlds goods). is at
first elated, but becomes chilled at the
announcement that Murdoch is work.
Ing in a Chain" grocery store. Obvious
ly no catch" Ginger thinks, and
snubs him. Mr.. Tolliver returns, his
eyes unimproved and the doctors CIV
ing him little hope.
Continued from December 26)
sob. Eddy, couldn't bear to go
away and be happy by myself. with
father and the girls" Quick tears
flooded her quiet eyes.
"Yes, l am sure, Helen, you would
be happier to stay at home, and work,
and sacrifice yourself Bur you ia
theirs happiness is the thing that
counts right now. Look at IT this
way, Helen. | think-and Ginger
agrees with me-"
Indeed ] do" said Ginger stoutly.
"We think you should 60 ahead as
If this little setback amounts to moth
ing. Make light of It, Go on with
your wedding. Helen don't you see,
that if you teach school you will be
away, out of town, tied up with your
work? But if you marry, you are
right here at hand. ready to help.
Your time will be your own. You can
help Ginger, help your father, and he
will not realize what you are doing
for him. If necessary. you and Horace
can come and stay il the parsonage
part of the time. But don't add to
your fathers burden the knowledge
that he is stealing year of his daugh
ter's happiness. | dare say he Is sick
at heart, this very moment, dreading
to come home and have you tell him.
sweetly, that your happiness has been
burned on the altar of daughterly
duty"
Helen studied him seriously "You
are wise, wise boy" she said gently
And | think you are right could
help more, that is true if were here
In Red Thrush. And ! know il would
grieve him bitterly 70 have us change
our plans. | could come every day
and help them"
"And they could call on me in a
pinch"
'BuI Ginger is such a child So
much responsibility"
Responsibility never hurt anybody.
You had II when you were young, and
II did you no harm. And Ginger is
not child She is growing up"
Ginger stood up with a bored
hauteur. ELLEN is grown up now, If
you ask me. And If you will excuse
me. | shall go upstairs nave some
very important work 70 do"
On Friday afternoon, Mr.. Tolliver
and Miriam returned to a parsonage
that smelled sweetly of wild roses, to
three girls whose light glad voices
gave no hint of the pain with which
they had watched mis- approach, head
lowered, shoulders sagging dispirited
ly, his arm limp beneath Miriam's
hand. And under the charm of their
laughter, their careSses, their welcom
ing delight, his shoulders Strengthened
presently, The tired lines in his face
gave way TO those of pleasure. and
soon his laughter joined theirs.
Il can't take of the glasses just yet
you see," he said huskily. Still In
the fog, as you might say"
81 rather thought it would take
longer" said Helen sympatneticaIly
"It would be foolish u rush things"