The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-08-08
CHAPTER XII
The Death Car

eff you came home again your father
would make settlement upon you.
He thinks you fear that the money
would destroy your marriage. But If
you came home, he would do it for
you"
st wouldn't leave VIII. I'm still of
the same mind that money doesn't
solve problems"
"But, Ernestine, think how nice 1t
would be for you to be home again.
It isn't as though you we're happy. We
can see that you aren't. We can adj
see such change in you this summer
And another babyl OF course, it's
your own affair, but Lillian and your
mother would be so delighted. It's
impossible for us to be friends with
VIII. We've tried"
Ernestine smiled scornfully and
glanced at Loring with such disdain
that he flushed.
"Never mind" he said, "you don't
know how we have tried. You don't
know. Will doesn't appreciate you at
all. I don't care what you say"
They were lying in the sand on the
beach at Langley lake. Mrs. Pas
tano's gaudy white and green summer
house reared its red roof back Of them.
The water was very shallow at this
point so that the children could run
in and out Of it.
"Oh, Ernestine, If you would come
home, we would be so good to you"
Loring's voice implored her.
"We?" she asked, turning to look at
him. "Is it that you want me back
in the family circle or that you want
to break up Wills homer"
Il think he is by way of breaking
up his own home," he said slowly,
weighing his words, moving cautiously
against her loyalty to VIII. Il under
stand that he hasn't written to you
since you came down here four weeks
ago. Maybe he wouldn't be sorry to
be free"
Ernestine laughed at this, and he
said solemnly:
"At this time such neglect must
seem cruel to you"
II wish," she exclaimed impatiently,
''that people were able to ignore my
so-called delicate condition. After
all, Will has his own problems. Let's
not talk about it. Probably he hasn't
write about"
Loring was persistent and presently
he took up the matter again from a
different point Of attack.
'It's wonderful what little money
can do for children. I've noticed
Elaine every time I've been down this
summer. She's so happy hereby the
cool water"
Ernestine wondered why she lis
tened to him. Certainly the child had
responded to the opportunities Of the
lake shore, the sleeping porch, the cool
nights and sunny days. But not even
for Elaine would she 60 back on Will
ON her marriage.
If only VIII would write to her!
Her longing for some word from him
was intolerable. She felt that If she
did not hear from him she would leave
the children behind and go to Chicago.
Twice she had made all her arrange
ments for such trip, but both times
pride had held her back. If anything
happened to him, the neighbors would
know. She wrote to Mrs. Pryor once
week or so. Will wanted to be alone.
He wanted the tie between them to be
in allegiance. She could not go after
him. Not now.
"Oh, Ernestine, my dear little sis-
ter" Loring pleaded with her, seeing
her tears, being unable to suppress his
feelings. "Why do you keep yourself
tied to him, when he has brought you
only unhacpiness? You have done
everything for him-everything. What
have you had from your marriage but
poverty and child-bearing and distress?
He needs to be wakened-he doesn't
realize what you have meant to him.
She was listening to him now, for
the first time, and her heart trembled
under the dark suggestions of his
words. If she could hurt viii, as he
had hurt her!
CTo BE coNTINUED)