The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-01-31

7 "Well, wasn't at all sure It was
right" she confessed ruefully. II al
ways felt ashamed because the people
said such kind things In their letters
and l knew they were being fooled
But I told myself that such good
man as father, and a minister and
all, had a right to be taken care of
And tried to tell father about IL,
but-aiways didn't. told myself |
wanted to surprise him later 0n-buf
think knew he wouldn't lei me-"
"The trouble with you, Ginger, Is
your mathematics he said verJ
| gently.
She gazed at him a moment IN
speechless wonder.
"Math-"
"Yes You know that whole lie
Is wrong-but you figure thai a half
lie Is no lie at all I've-er-noticed
that about you several times"
Ginger smiled TREMENDOUSLY at that,
and a fresh rain of tears swept her
| face.
u know It," she confessed abjectly,
Il know it. But it is so much easier
to get what yon want that way"
"Oh, Gingeri'
How Ginger weptl The past was
a wreckage of delicate dreams, the
present wave of disillusionment. the
future swept bare By the relentless
winds of certain privation.
"Oh. Eddy. I can't stand It'll sim
ply canti"
Slowly, very gently. he turned her
head upon his shoulder, lifted her
face to his. and. for the first time
kissed the trembling. tear-wef lips
Ginger's hand gripped his shoulder
He held her close In his arms, moved
his lips gently across her wet cheek
| pressed them upon the damp curls
that clustered at her temple The
slender little figure grew suddenly
tense in his arms. her hand chung TO
his shoulder. After q long still mo-
ment she drew away from him. slow.
~. and looked at him mistily. with
troubled eyes. whose tears seemed lost
in wonder. Eddy did not finch he
fore that wfde-eyed questioning gaze.
Firmly he patted away the last of
her tears. and then. almost defiantly
before her very eyes, he leaned
toward her, kissed her again She did
not protest. When he released her
she lay Imply in his arm. her face
close. to his face. and stared as one
spellbound-ihat old familiar face.
which seemed suddenly very new and
strange-beautiful- her
Like me, Ginger?" he asked gently.
Ginger's answer was startled jerky
bob of her head. A half-smile quiv.
cred to her lips. to he quickly han
ished by the strange wide look of
wonder.
"Why?" he insisted Because I'm
like your father?"
Her hand frightened It's grip on his
shoulder. Her cheek pressed his.
"You-youre not-jusf like my ia.
ther." she whispered.
"Ginger. you Burlington dear
little darling"
No word of protes. from Ginger
His hands caressed her His lips
sought the curve of her slender throat
Il know you hate tC he paved"
"Oh. Eddy" she interrupted indig,
nantly you don't cav. You're not
that kind"
Her small hand found itself upon
his cheek. her slim fingers touched
it. stroked it. with caressiyeness as
old as The world.
Il know I'm not al all romantic
figure"
Ginger drew away from him. There
was cold Indignation in her eyes.
scDrn for herself. her young girlish
folly She saw us foi the first time
the tender warmth of his gray eyes
the fine firm lines OF his kind lips
the strong assurance 10 the poise of
his head-alI the clean honest nice
ness OF the old familiar face And
her heart cried 0ui to him. remember
Ing his thousands symputhies through
so many exigencies. his unfailing hu
NOR. his unfiring interest And Gin
ger humbled afresh before this sweet
new revelation of the old. old friend.
cried oui reprOachfully:
"Oh. Eddy asnr-I-dumb?"
THE ENID