White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1930-02-07
CHAPTER vIIl-Continued
Copyright, by Bobbs Merrill Co.
WNU Service

| ~x1<Ak LIN V1A4-NOuG1uUSQ
Is
But the sparkle had gone from their
merry plans, and It was relief when
Eddy started the motor for the ride
back to town.
"Won't you come along, Alex?" In.
hted Ginger pointedly. "We AN take
me more"
"Oh, no, thanks Miriam promised
70 take me In herself along about
midnight My doctor prescribed more
Pay Dirt for me-"
At the end Of the driveway, they
looked back. Miriam sat on the high
gate, Alexander Mnrdock steadying
ner with one hand, while he swung
the gate beneath her with the other
Their father smiling, waved farewell
"Poor father" mourned Ginger.
what would you call II but preachers
luck, to lose his eyes just When there's
the most to seer"
A dull supper at the parsonage, fol
owed by the usual evening service at
the church.
Tub Andrews hurried up to them
hfter the service, offering himself as
an escort home-a mere Formally for
those few safe intervening feet.
Il don't think we ought to-" objected
Marjory. "You see, the minister is
taying with us-and | think we ought
Il don't think 1t would look well for
US to 60 off and leave him"
"Ginger can take him." suggested
Tub generously. "She can give him
pointers on running church-Gfnger
can give pointers on running any
thing"
"Bu, Ginger is SO young" STAN.
mered Marjory. II feel that am
rather the head Of the house now.
and"
Hiram BHckworth himself appeared
at that moment. "Girls. If you will
excuse me-" he said gravely, Il will
walk over with Mr.. Westbury. We
are discussing some church business :
"Hurray fol Jop," chimed Tub
that suits me to T. We've got
some church business of our own to
talk about"
Hiram hesitated moment, biting
his lip as though he felt annoyance.
but nodded at last, and went away.
not without reluctance. And Mar
JOry yielded her smiles to Tub An
ldrews, clinging meanwhile to Ginger
to ensure her accompaniment, as they
walked slowly hOmeward. On the ia.
milfar old veranda Tub started at
once, cheerfully, in the direction Of
the hammock.
you can't stay tonight. Tub" said
MarjOry. with smile warm enough to
soften her dismissal Il have to send
you right straight nome. | have been
under the weather for day or two,
and Miss Jenkins didn't want me to
30 to church at all She has ordered
me to bed"
Tub, complaining loudly, submitted
perforce to this election. and sauntered
away, whistlfng lugubriously.
Marjory still chung to her sisters
aand.
"Ginger, wait a minute. Shl Don't
let him hear you. Let's sit In the
hammock a while"
They sat down, huddled together
and waited in silence until The sound
Of Tubs footsteps. ami Tubs whistling.
Bubsided into the darkness "Ginger
| want TO ask you something. viii
yen just sill here with me and talk
until-Mr. Buckworth comes hornef
And Ginger, If lie comes over and sits
aown-he always does, you know
would you mind would you Just DIS
lief You wouldn't mind. would
you-"
$50 to bed, you meanr"
"Well. you see, Ginger, want to
ask him about something"
II see. I'm to talk my head Off I'm, n,
he gels here. and then I'm to 90 TO
bed"
Marjory squeezed her arm about her
sisters waist.
"You see Well, you see, Ginger
II is like this. You remember that
night when you crept downstairs
how long ago II seems l. and he had
his arm around me- Well, Ginger. /
didn't care a bit because you saw II.
1t didn't make any difference to me
But think 1t embarrassed him or
made him angry, Or something. Tor he
hasn't so much as looked at me since,
II see" said Ginger duly.
II want to tell him that you-you
didn't think thing OF tia little
thing like that. | think maybe he
thinks feel bad about it."
"You don't. do you?'
"No." Marjory's voice sank to a
whisper. "Not bit. like him
So the two girls sat, and waited
and presently from the church. fl,e,.
heard the two men coming slowly
talking as they walked Marjory chung
to Ginger's hand. and held her breath
AT the end Of rhe hagstone path the,
stood for while before they said
good night and parted
Y-you talk" whispered Marjory.
Ginger talked. Il think it's such
silly name for a farm" se.t Ginger
Just like Eddy Jackson. Who else
would do such dumb thing? Pay
Dirt. Everybody knows a farm is
nothing but dirt, and II II didn't pay
nobody would farm 1t Oh. hello Mr.
Buckworth. Home so soonf ira
lovely tonight Won't you come and
talk to ns?''
"Not tonight, thanks, am tired