The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-02-10
BEGIN HERE TO-DAY.

Lifc in the little town of Red Thrush, Iowa, was too unexciting to suit GINGER ELLA TOLLlVER, so she conceived the idea of organizing . Junior Country club and thus sav- ing the younger set from complete boredom. Accordingly she arranged for the purchase of the Mill Rush farm, 1O-acre tract with an old ruIn- bling house on 1t and she arranged with JENKY BROOKS and her husband, blind BENNY BROOKS, to act as cilaperOns.
 The idea was that the club was to be exclusive. No parents al- 1Owed-and no children. The mos ton was heartily seconded by Gin- gers fntfmates, all of them leading spirits in Red Thrush - EDDY JACKSON, WESLEY MEEKER and PATTY SEARS.
 Ginger was tlie daughter of q minister and the stepdaughter of very wealthy woman, the former PHIL VAN DOORN.
 The farm and farm house bought, Ginger proceeded with a general Ovcrhauling in which all the high school kids of Red Thrush en. thusiastically assisted. Furnishings were donated. Eddy Jackson even gave an old mare, named MRS JACKSON.
 It was agreed that the purpose was to lave n good time. And one day, while tho rehabilitation of the old house was going on, Ginger was in the kitchen of her home making cookies, assisted by GOOBY the cook, q shadow fell across the door, way.
 It was a stranger, bearded and unprepossessing looking, and he offered to do sketch of the cook in exchange for a meal. Ginger de- ing he was an elderly man, she be- gan to lecture him for his appar- cnt lack of ambition.
 NOW GO GO WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER VIII.
 Say" the artist interrupted at last, ''are those my grandchildren you're growing about? How old the devil do you think am any how. Kate?"
 My names not Kate"
 My error," he said. 'I apologize. This Is Iowa, isn't 1t? I was think ing of Shakespeare"
 
 apology. He might have been in- tending compliment. A reference to Shakespeare was usually com plimentary, and just offhand like that she could not place Kate.
 She considered his question. He wasn't so old probably as her fa- ther, he wasn't gray but that long, black beard was deceptive.
 "Oh, about 50. I suppose" she said at last.
 "Tifty-good lord-about 50!" He appealed suddenly to Gooby. "Is she In her right mind and all?"
 Gooby thought moment and gave it as her opinion that she was.
 Say, let me tell you something, Miss Defective Delinquent, or who- ever you are, I'm just p years old"
 Twenty seven! Ginger was amazed. Why. you're not so old as Eddy Jackson"
 I'm not so old as lot of peo- ,le." he said moodily. He dropped the cover on his pad of paper and tossed 1t upcn the table. Then he reached firmly into his portfolio.
 Miss" he said to Gooby. "can I bother you for a little nice hot
 "L-lather?" echoed Ginger. You mean plain soap and water? Il didn't know they used father in Gooby, a bowl of soap and hot water. at once.'
 "I'm going to shave off this damned beard" he said. "Me and my grandchildren! Humph!"
 "I-didn't mean to hurt your feelings" said Ginger gently You don't look exactly old but-Biblical. all the disciples at the last supper except Judas, of course." she add- ed politely.
 Thanks" he said grimiy.
 He accepted the pan of hot water and the cake of soap from Gooby, and then, doggedly, before the limpid blue eyes of Ginger Ella, eyes which melted swiftly from boundless amazement to irrepressi- ble laughter, he shaved off the silken black beard.
 By the time he had finished she was quote doubled up in her chair ling largely into the bowl of raisins.
 ''They all wear them in Paris" he explained, batting his face with a handkerchief. Its quite the rage"
 He wiped his razor and put 1t back fin the portfolio. Then he re- placed the pad and pencils.
 "Are-aren't you going to finish my portrait?" she queried humbly.
 Not If I've got to hear any more about Detectives and Delinquents," he said stubbornly. No dinners worth it."
 So he tipped back the kitchen chair. hoisted his knee and went on