The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-01-03
CHAPTER TX

A great peace, sort of subdued
grandeur, descended upon the tur-
buient spirit of Ginger Ella, for she
had schooled herself to accept life as
it is, and mold it to her own pattern
as opportunity came. That the OPP
portunity would never come now, as
concerned Marjory. she was well
aware, but without resentment. After
all, perhaps one had no righl to at
tempt to mold human lives, free souls,
like herself. AS for Miriam and the
grocery clerk, she yet had horcs
Alexander Murdoch was leaving on
this very day, and Ginger did not for
a moment believe that the sensible
twin was so deeply interested as to
disqualify her for interest in more
intriguing fgures-granted the APP
pearance Of such figures.
Get her away-that was the best
method. Ginger was adjusting her.
self to a new impression Of the sensi-
BILE twin. So still she had always
seemed, so subtly impenetrable, that
in contrast with Marjory's radiance
she had appeared more Of a liability
than anything else. But there was
something strange about Miriam.
Ginger did not understand it She
remembered how Tub Andrews, even
in the gorgeous presence of Marjory
arrayed for the beauty pageant. had
succumbed to Miriam's stiffness. She
remembered how Alexander Murdoch.
a mere grocer, of course, but still no
doubt possessive Of the usual male
inclinalions, had passed over Marjory
with passing cordiality, to plant
himself immovably at the un-dancing
feet Of Miriam. Strange about her!
Strange about everything. Ginger
thought.
.The world" she concluded largely.
Ait all gone leebee jeebee. The grocers
grovel to brains, and the preachers
pick beauty. It's all wrong"
But perhaps when the twins found
themselves away from the confirming
familiarities of Red Thrush, away
among strangers, at the normal school
with clothes that became girls of
their profession, and their looks
clothes paid for from contributions
to the home for the blind But an
other annoying thought arose to dis
turb the even tenor OF her plans
At the normal school they would
meet only teachers-primary teach
ers, teachers of geography, teachers
of Latin, English and algebra Gin
ger sighed. 1t was unfortunate, but
it was the best they could manage
this year-what with the operation.
and the retirement on pension. Be-
sides, If an embryonic teacher could
supplant the can grocer in Miriam's
heart. no doubt little later on, the
new conqueror could also be con-
quered by, say, an embryonic tinan
cier. She must hope for the best
AS for Marjory- Marjory. whose
beauty, and whose married fortune
were now forever denied them, why
should they. from their limited funds.
provide the money to send Marjory to
normal to study to be teacher. when
she would be no teacher? Why learn
pedagogy, when all her future held
was the accommodation of her person
10 missionary societies. and ladies'
aids. and the minimum Of three?
The finger of relentless logic pointed
in another way. Let Marjory prepare
herself for keeping q parsonage by
keeping parsonage own She
could take Miriam's place as servitor
to their father. thus leaving Ginger
free for her own further schooling
and for the conduct Of her favorite
charity.
tTo BE CONTINUED