Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-07-04

hood. and it won't be bit of trouble
your father and belong to the same
society-it would be all right with
him, l know"
"All right" said win duly, and
turned to the undertaken: Fix 1t
that way-will you tend to the no.
tices?"
"Will," Ernestine implored him, "it's
not my fault-they don't understand"
He patted her arm and tried to con-
troll his feelings.
THAT'S all right, kitten. l know
you can't help tits just their way"
His face worked, and suddenly he
clenched his big hand. my father
he was good enough to work for yours,
for half his lifetime-good enough for
that-but not good enough for his dead
body"
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. darling
oh, you must not say such a thing
sweetheart"
"Let him cry" said Mrs. Sehluss
wisely, and VIII cried upon Ernes-
tines shoulder-his tears wet her
blouse, and she held him, feeling the
great sobs rack him, wondering dimly
if she would mourn for her father that
way.
This would be her home, she re-
solved, kissing his tear-wet face, hold
ing him to her heart. She would stay
with viii and his mother. Her people
had denied her husband the kindness
that was due among kinsfolk. They
had denied her. She felt that she
didn't care whether she ever saw them
again. If they had done this for VIII,
everything else would have followed,
but now, in common loyalty to her
husband, she had to recognize this
hurt.
She was almost fainting with weari-
ness. 1t seemed to her the night
would never end.
Papa came in his big car and took
Ernestine and Will and Mrs. Schluss
to the burying ground. VIII accepted
this courtesy with dignity. He was
not the person to bubble at time
like this.
The services of the Ethical society
were brief and dignifed. 1t was Ernes-
tines first acquaintance with death,
and she felt the power of human dig
nifty, felt as she had never felt before
the COMMON inheritance, the integrity
of Wills fathers life.
When they came back. Ernestine sat
in the car and talked to her father
few minutes. She told him that she
and VIII were to stay at the little
house, that she was going to try her
hand at homework and nursing. She
should have done 1t sooner-she didn't
realize, she said, that she was needed.
She ought not reproach herself, her
father answered-she had done quite
well to avoid being q responsibility to
Wills father and mother.
'That wasn't enough" said Ernes-
tine. "I've a new set Of values to
learn"
you think the ones you learned at
home inadequateT 80
Il didn't mean that"
you've been very quiet with me all
day. Do you resent our attitude?"
Ernestine was near to tears. ut
hurt WILL" she said, her voice shak-
ing. 1T forces me to take stand
have to be loyal to viii. Papa,
love you all so, but love Will most.
He's my husband. If he's hurt, so
am l."
Her fathers face had grown very
white. He sat studying his gloved
hand upon the polished steering wheel.
"That's right" he said after little.
"After all, that's part of what you
learned at home-I hope. I'thought--
your mother wants me to tell you
we'll establish a trust fund for you
and one for Lillian when she is mar
ried. I've got my money tied up in
this stone merger, but / can settle
some on you now, and more later, or
can give you an allowance" He
stopped, controlled his emotion, and
went on steadily, II still think your
marriage will prove disastrous, but
you're my little girl want you to be
happy. OF course, you can always
come home, but as long as you stay
with Will, I'd like to do what / can
for you, Ernestine."
1t was long speech for him. He
was always quick, half phrase, half
a sentence, sufficed him. Ernestines
hands squeezed his arm, she pulled
him down and kissed him, and he put
his big arm, awkward in his overcoat,
about her, and drew her close.
Before VIII and l were married
heAhe thought you might think he
wanted my money-wanted some ad-
vantage, and promised him I'd live
his life, live on his income. I made
bargain and 1 must stand by 1t, papa.
But I'm glad you told me-if should
need money, I'll let you know. Thank
YOU"
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