The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-05-09

serted bOathouSe, where they sat down
side by side upon an upturned row.
boat.
"You see, Ernestine," he told her
solemnly, 1--WE just kind of jumped
into it all. But it's real with me. It's
love-and marriage, with me. / never
thought much about such things
just took you at what you were will
ing to give. Everybody has dates out
around town, and didn't want to go
to your house especially, nor think
about that. And then, we got to car
ing-and as soon as I began to think
about you as my wife, began to
think about all these other things:
your money, your family position, and
the darned Briceland pride that know
more about than you do. And then, l
wondered why you never took me
home. And finally l talked to my
mother. And l made up my mind to
quit"
without even giving me CHANGER"
she asked him.
She was in his arms now, and he
said to her:
''Will you marry me, Ernestine?"
"Of course. Today, if you like"
"Youll have to tell your folks first"
he insisted.
"Oh, WILL" she cried. "Don't stand
with them against me. They'll sep
arate u.s.. Why do you suppose they
asked you to the house today, if not
to find out about you and how init
mate our friendship had become, and
to begin the business of breaking it
up? I know" She told him what
papa said about Sadie Hall and the
actor Delaney. His arms grew slack
about her. He sat a little away, now,
.distraught, silent.
they'll think I've persuaded you.
They'll think want the money, that
I'm seeking for myself" he protested.
'If I thought you could live on what
1 make-but you don't know anything
about money. You don't know how
hard 1t is for two people-living on
twenty-five dollars a week. I don't
know what to do, but / want to do
what's right"
He looked most forlorn sitting there
thinking, bordering. trying to con-
template future without her, trying
to reconcile his own pride and self
esteem with the position her family
put him into.
II should never have kissed you." he
exclaimed. II should never have
loved YOU"
"Will," said Ernestine tenderly,
"you couldn't help that"
For now his sad confusion had
caught her in the grip Of her first
passion. Now she lived in terrible
fullfilment the promise her throbbing
heart had made weeks ago, when she
had talked to Lillian about marriage
Her heart leaped in her like thing
threatened with mortal danger. She
flung herself upon him precipitously,
her arms strained round his neck. He
caught her and held her close. All
his being flared up in answer to her
own emotion, and his lips sprang to
hers in a kiss that was as new to
them as though they had never
touched. each other before. 1t was a
promise.
"Take me today, WILL" she cried,
and tears streamed down her face.
Nov. quickly, before anybody can
say word to us, before they can be
reasonable and reassuring and COM
petent about us. Take me and hold
me, now, quickly and secretly.
promise you I'll live on what you earn
/ promise I'll take my chance with
you-completely. I'll never let them
have reason to say that you wanted
anything but me. Whatever you have
is all I'll have, viii. I promise"
She was crying wildly. He was
shaking, as she was, but he laughed
a little, and wiped her cheeks with
his own clean handkerchief.
"The lady promises, Judge" he said,
and kissed her and laughed at her and
leased her. "The lady promises never
to sue me for more than a million a
year alimony. The lady promises"
He picked her up and set her on
her feet.
"Come on, then-let's do it now"
he cried. and seized her wrist and
ran, pulling her along.
1t was almost evening when Will
and Ernestine came to the Briceland