The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-05-23
CHAPTER III
Strange Country


in the little back bedroom of the tiny
house where the Todds had lived all
their married life. She was instantly
wide awake and oriented. Perhaps it
was the close tangle of Wills arms
about her that made everything nor
NAL. Perhaps the delicious conscious
ness of new happiness had never en-
tirely been lost in sleep. 1t did not
matter at all about the family now.
Thinking of everything, Ernestine
felt in her heart something new about
Will. Added to her romantic love for
him was something really more Won
derful: sound thing-respect. He
had behaved admirably.
She was filled with q transport of
tenderness, strong conviction of hav-
ing done well. Now, at last, life had
begun for her. The chrysalis of girl
hood was broken, and she was
emerged into womanhood. She had
become real. Always now, Will would
be here beside her at the beginning
of every day. Gravely she considered
this, and sent up wordless prayer
that she might be good wife.
Some one was moving about in the
Kitchen, and she heard the rattle of
Goals in the kitchen CRATE. How close
and small the house was. Each sound
came through the thin walls distinctly.
Ernestine realized that she would
have to close the window, and she es-
sayed to rise. But at the first move
ment Wills arms frightened about her,
though he did not waken. Ernestine
extricated herself and got up with a
swift strong movement.
''You have to work today, WILL" she
said in such a wifely tone that he
laughed and looked up at her ador-
ingly.
II suppose now I've got somebody
even worse than my mother about
making me get up" he said, and then
added, "Hey, wait, I'll get you some
warm water" for Ernestine was wash
ing her face in the basin that stood
on a small washstand near the door.
But the water out of the pitcher,
which had stood all night with the
cold wind blowing through the open
window upon it, was cold and invigor-
ating.
Will shaved in the kitchen, and
Ernestine could hear his voice, in an
affectionate murmur, talking to some
one. Before the small wavy mirror,
she applied her makeup, looking at
herself sharply. She arranged her
sleek soft hair, proud of its thickness
face? Was she different this morning?
She must not be different. She pow
dered again, and rubbed some of the
scarlet off her lips, which were as red
as cherries under the lip salve.
She made the bed neatly and set
the room in order, packed up her be-
longings. The smell of coffee and the
sound of the percolator made her feel
faint. She had eaten nothing the eve
ming before.
In the kitchen, Wills face turned on
her, as bright as triangular mirror
with the sun on it. His mother was
sitting by the kitchen table, with
warm shawl over her heavy dress. She
could be up at times, and this morn
ing she had made the effort. Ernes-
tine went to Wills mother, and kissed
her.
Il hope you didn't get up on our
account, mother" she said gently, ''but
I'm glad you are better.'
The woman looked up at Ernestine,
her faded eyes, under the dropping
brows, regarding this strange bird
that had slipped so easily into her
nest. How old she looked, thought
Ernestine. She was generation be-
You'd mamma, for she was old with a
gentle humility and meekness that
Ernestine had never met before.
There was not in her even the stub
bornness that sometimes the meek
can use so effectively.
Wills father Ernestine could under
stand. A carpenter, with a gift for
woOdcutting, he was skilled and able
workman and had great pride in his
trade. He was tall, thin, stopped
man, with a clean-shaved, heavily
furrowed face and brightly saturnine,
black eyes, which regarded Ernestine
with kind of grim humor. He made
her realize without saying so, that he
disapprOved of their marriage as much
as her people did, but that he was not
the man to cry over spilled milk.
They could count on his kindness.
At breakfast in the bright kitchen,
Ernestine and viii made plans.
''You are welcome to stay here as
long as you like" said Peter Todd,
but the two shook their heads. They
had already decided to be independent
at once.
ave might just as we'll go today,
and find place to board until we can
get an apartment" said Ernestine,
looking very young and earnest. I'll
get my trunk from mammals. as soon
as we have found residence. It's