Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1930-03-13

country roads from Red Thrush to
Pay Dirt. Not one wCrd was spoken.
But In the rear seat, Miriam, the SEN
sible twin, sat with one of her fathers
hands crushed tightly between both
of hers, and now and then she pressed
II against her cheeks in wOrdless
passion of sympathy, longing to com
fort. 1t was not until the car stood
before the side porch of the big white
house, and Miriam, with firm, light
hand, had led her farther up the steps.
that Eddy spoke.
"Mr. Tolliver." he said awkwardly,
"don't worry. It's raw deal. all the
way round, but honestly-they mean
all right. Well do something about 1t,
that's ALL"
"There's nothing to do, Eddy. And
they not only mean all right. they are
all right"
"And If 1t goes through the way they
have planned, We'll start something on
our own account We're right in the
midst of the farming district here,
and a lot of these people don't bother
to 90 so far to church. Pay Dirt Is
big. Well build little chapel of our
own, and run 1t to suit ourselves.
don't want you to leave Red
Thrush"
"You're a good friend, and a good
man, Eddy" said the other gratefully.
"But don't have me too much on your
mind. It's all right. / will never do
anything that does not completely ac-
cord with the policy of our church,
you understand. Good night, my dear
boy, and to repeat your own words,
don't worry"
Silently, up the stairs to the right
wing, Miriam guided his steps. She
turned back the covers of his bed,
carefully spread out the things he
would need for the night, placed
fresh towel on his rack.
"Father, shant | read to you a
while?" she offered. until you feel
tired enough to Sleep"
mo, thanks, dear, not tonight.
You're nice girl, Miriam, but don't
want to be read to. have many
things to think Of"
But, darling-they aren't nice
things"
"Well, some of them are. You, for
instance"
"Father," her voice was low, almost
apologize, father, you know we are
so used to each other, you, and we
girls, living together all the time, and
arguing, and quarreling, and making
up. We-never say the real things
that are in our minds. But father, in
our hearts, we-all Of us-think you
are just wonderful, father"
His arm frightened about her shoul-
ders. "And l tease you girls, and
laugh at your little tricks, and your
vanities, and what ellen calls your
man-madness But all the time
know you are the very best girls In
the world"
"Oh, father, we aren't Well, Helen,
she is awfully good. And Ginger is
good, too, in her funny way. But
Marjory and are not much"
There was silence between them, as
each smiled tenderly into the dark
ness, thinking of the thousand sweet.
ridiculous, whimsical, pathetic hap
penings Of the shabby old Methodist
parsonage. But after little while, he
sent her back to bed, and to sleep. But
Wesley TOlliver himself lay awake all
night, thinking Of many things.
When Miriam entered his room the
next morning she found him standing
by the window, fully dressed.
"Oh, 'ather, you're getting too
smart for me-" she said regretfully.
But when he turned to look at her,
the expression on his face sent a swift
glad frightening over her own.
"Oh, father" she cried again
you've thought of something Every
thing is all right again, isn't it?'
He laughed quite merrily at her
young eagerness. Perfectly all right
again." he assured her.
"Oh, tell me all about It," she
begged
But thi, he denied her. "You must
wait to share 1t with the rest Of the
family. How impetucus you are get
ing-why, you are quite another Gin
gerp
So Miriam was obliged to content
herself by Strengthening his tie, and
giving careful brush to his hair be-
fore she led him down to breakfast.
Here, apologetically, he asked an ad-
ditiOnal favor at the hands of Eddy
Jackson.
"You have done so much, Eddy. and
you are always so kind that I really
hate to ask anything more of you.
But l must go in right after break
fast to speak to my daughters.
shan't be gone long, but | must 90.
Now If you can't take me, or send
one of the men, suppose / just tele-
phone In for a taxi"
"Of course l can take you. Why. 1
haven't thing to do" lied Eddy
Jackson stoutly.
"Father!' calculated Miriam. "Tbe
way you talk of ordering taxis one