The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-05-16

nothing but your blessing
BE still p exclaimed papa passion
ately, and he turned to Ernestine.
where were you married? BY
whom"
Will took the conversation into his
own hands with elaboration.
1--WE went to town about noon, went
to the courthouse and got our license,
then to a jeweler and bought the ring
and waited while it was engraved"
Ernestine held up her slim hand, and
showed the astonishing gold band on
her third finger. "Then we took
taxi out to my mothers house, got her
and went to the church was reared
in, in Avondale, and were married"
"But why this mad hasteT" splut-
tered papa, who was almost inco-
herent. "Ernestine," turning to his
daughter, in renewed determination
to have nothing to do with Will,
whats got into you? l am sure you
have been under some dreadful infu-
could act this way. 1 can't be-
iieve it."
He was furious, he was undone, but
ne still had note of command in his
voice. Ernestine felt his strength with
terror.
Papa" she began, but Will cut in
resolutely, so that in spite of papa's
determination to talk to Ernestine the
situation narrowed itself constantly to
papa and Will.
"Ernestine was afraid, sir, that you
might try to separate us. My own in
stinct in the matter was that we
should talk this over with you, but
see, now, that she was right. You
must understand, sir, that we are mar
ried, and your objections are futile"
"Ernestine had reason to fear me-"
papa said in voice none Of them had
ever heard from him before. Ernes-
tine felt herself shrivel under it. Papa
had no intention of considering him
self futile.
"She had reason to fear me, and so
had you. I suspect your fear was
more important than her own. Even
If she were a fool, you might have
been decent about it. l have no in
tention whatever of letting her go
away from here with you. You'll
learn, sir, that there are such things
as annulments, even as divorce. Just
because she has made one foolish mis-
take, is no reason why should let her
ruin her whole life. You have be-
haved very badly, but your behavior
ends here and now. Ernestine stays
here. You may go, and 1 will deal
with you outside the house."
Ernestine felt that everything was
lost, but Will only laughed. If papa
were new and strange, so was her
young husband, for he seemed to glow,
20 fill out, to be bigger and stronger
Don't be silly he said. "Ernes-
tine is of age. She married me of her
own free will, and if you tried any
such stunts, she would say so. Our
marriage is entirely legal. 1t stands
before everything else. She is now
my wife, and my home is her home,
and you can't detain her."
Wen see," said papa grimly, and
then mamma broke in.
"You shouldn't have, Ernestine.
Your shouldn't have run off and got
married, without telling mamma. It's
the biggest, the most important thing
in your life-and to take such a step
without your people knowing itl l
can't bear to think you'd go off and be
married-and not tell me-"
I'm sorry, mamma" said Ernestine
in distress, and papa took things up
again. He had made a decision.
Go to your room, Ernestine," he
said in a voice of stern command,
land stay there until can talk to
you. If you ladies will excuse us, we
will settle this among ourselves. Do
you hear me?" he said sharply, turn
ing his furious eyes upon Ernestine.
She faltered, half turned to go In
automatic command, for papa had al
ways ruled his home, without mucS
effort, but Will put his hand on her
arm.
"Stay here, Ernestine," he said in
a low voice. and she paused, unde-
cided, while mamma and Lillian
seemed to be grouped together on the
other side of the room.
Il can understand your distress,
sir" said VIII. II can see just how
you feel about this, not knowing me
at all and not understanding my mo-
tives. But you exceed your authority.
If you should detain Ernestine here
by force, l have only to go out and
get the nearest policeman and come
back for her. You can't do it."
There was moment of incredulous
silence, and papa half turned to Lor-
ing, in appeal, and Loring said in low
tone, Hes right"
Will followed this advantage swiftly.
"After all, what have you against
me. except you think I may want
Ernestine's money? We have decided